In our hyper-connected world, the quest for the perfect productivity system can feel like a full-time job. We download the latest apps, try complex frameworks like Getting Things Done (GTD), and meticulously color-code our digital calendars. Yet, we often end up feeling more overwhelmed than when we started. What if the solution wasn't a complex new system, but a simple, century-old technique? Enter the Ivy Lee Method, a refreshingly straightforward approach to daily planning that cuts through the noise and helps you focus on what truly matters.
Who Was Ivy Lee?
Before we dive into the method, let's talk about the man behind it. Ivy Lee was a prominent businessman and a pioneer in the field of public relations who lived over 100 years ago. He wasn't a software developer or a modern productivity guru. He was a consultant hired in 1918 by Charles M. Schwab, then the president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, to help his executives become more efficient.
The story goes that Schwab, one of the richest men in the world at the time, was looking for a way to get more done. He brought Lee into his office and said, "Show me a way to get more things done." Lee told Schwab he could give him a method that would increase his team's efficiency in just 15 minutes. Schwab was skeptical but agreed to try it. Lee explained his simple routine and told Schwab to have his executives try it. He didn't ask for payment upfront. Instead, he said, "Try it for three months. Then, send me a check for whatever you feel it's worth."
Three months later, Lee received a check from Schwab for $25,000. In today's money, that's equivalent to over $400,000. For a 15-minute conversation and a simple idea, that's a staggering endorsement. So, what was this million-dollar piece of advice?
The Ivy Lee Method: A Step-by-Step Guide
The beauty of the Ivy Lee Method lies in its simplicity. There are no complicated charts, no lengthy setup processes, and no expensive tools required. You can use a notepad, a sticky note, or your favorite to-do list app. The tool doesn't matter; the process does.
Here are the five steps:
- Write Down Six Tasks: At the end of each workday, before you power down your computer, take a moment to write down the six most important things you need to accomplish the next day. Only six. This limitation is a feature, not a bug. It forces you to be ruthless in your prioritization.
- Prioritize the List: Review your list of six tasks and number them in order of their true importance. What is the single most critical thing you need to do? That's number one. What's the next most important? That's number two, and so on, until all six are ranked.
- Focus on Task One: When you start your workday the next morning, don't check your email, don't scroll through Slack, and don't get sidetracked by minor requests. Your only job is to start working on task number one.
- Work Sequentially: Concentrate on that first task until it is complete. Then, and only then, move on to task number two. Continue down your list in this manner, giving each task your undivided attention.
- Reset at the End of the Day: At the end of the day, look at your list. Any unfinished items can be moved to your new list of six for the following day. Repeat the process of listing and prioritizing your top six tasks for the next day.
That’s it. It’s so simple it almost sounds too good to be true. But its power is hidden in its simplicity.
Why This Simple Method Works So Well
As early tech adopters, we're drawn to complexity and features. We love apps like Notion, Todoist, and Asana because of their powerful capabilities—tags, projects, integrations, and automations. So, how can a method that fits on a postcard compete? It works because it directly addresses the biggest hurdles to modern productivity.
It Combats Decision Fatigue
Every day, we are faced with a flood of decisions. From what to wear to which email to answer first, these small choices drain our mental energy. This phenomenon is known as decision fatigue. When you arrive at work without a plan, you immediately have to decide what to work on. Your brain, seeking the path of least resistance, might gravitate toward easy, low-impact tasks like clearing your inbox.
The Ivy Lee Method removes this morning decision-making process entirely. By deciding what’s important the night before, you wake up with a clear action plan. Your most important task is already identified, allowing you to channel your peak morning energy into meaningful work instead of wasting it on deliberation.
It Forces Prioritization
The constraint of choosing only six tasks is powerful. Most of us have to-do lists that are a mile long. This endless scroll of tasks can be paralyzing. Where do you even start? The Ivy Lee Method forces you to make tough choices. You can't just add everything; you must identify what is truly essential.
This act of prioritizing is a high-leverage activity. It ensures that you are spending your time on work that moves the needle, not just busywork that makes you feel productive. By asking, "What are the most important things I need to do?" you filter out the trivial and focus on the vital.
It Encourages Single-Tasking
In a world filled with notifications and distractions, our ability to focus on one thing has been shattered. We try to multitask, believing we're being more efficient, but research consistently shows the opposite is true. When we switch between tasks, we incur a "cognitive switching penalty." It takes time for our brains to disengage from one task and fully engage with another.
The Ivy Lee Method is a masterclass in single-tasking. The instruction is clear: work on task one until it is finished. This focused approach allows you to enter a state of deep work, where you can solve complex problems and produce high-quality results in less time. For developers, designers, or anyone in a creative or technical role, this uninterrupted focus is the key to breakthrough work. Imagine coding a new feature or designing a UI without constant interruptions. That’s the power of this method.
It Builds Momentum
There is a deep psychological satisfaction in crossing an item off a to-do list. The Ivy Lee Method is designed to generate this feeling of accomplishment early and often. By tackling your most important task first, you start your day with a significant win.
This initial success creates momentum that carries you through the rest of your day. Completing task one makes you feel capable and motivated to tackle task two. This positive feedback loop makes it easier to stay on track and avoid procrastination. You’re not just managing tasks; you’re building a chain of productive achievements.
Integrating the Ivy Lee Method into Your Tech Stack
Just because the method is old doesn't mean you have to use a pen and paper (though you certainly can). As a tech-savvy individual, you can easily integrate this workflow into your favorite productivity tools.
- To-Do List Apps (Todoist, Things, Microsoft To Do): At the end of the day, open your app and create a "Tomorrow" list or use a tag like
#ivy-lee. Add your six tasks and use the priority flags or drag-and-drop feature to order them. The next day, you only look at that list. - Notion or Obsidian: If you use a more flexible tool like Notion, you can create a simple daily planner template. Have a section for your "Top 6" and a checkbox for each. At the end of the day, you can duplicate the template for the next day and carry over any unfinished tasks.
- Calendar Blocking: You can take it a step further and block out time on your digital calendar for your top one or two Ivy Lee tasks. For example, block 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM for "Task 1: Develop new API endpoint." This signals to your colleagues that you are in deep work mode and protects your focus time.
The key is not to let the tool overcomplicate the process. The goal is to use technology to support the simple, five-step method, not to build a complex system around it. The app should serve the method, not the other way around.
The Ivy Lee Method: A Radical Act of Simplicity
In an age of endless optimization, adopting the Ivy Lee Method can feel like a radical act. It pushes back against the notion that being productive means doing more. Instead, it proposes that true productivity is about doing more of the right things. It’s not about managing a hundred tasks poorly; it's about executing a handful of important tasks exceptionally well.
Give it a try. Tonight, before you close your laptop, take five minutes. Open a blank note, a text file, or your preferred app. Think about what will make tomorrow a successful day. Write down the six most important tasks to get you there. Rank them. Tomorrow morning, start with number one. See how it feels to have clarity and purpose from the moment you begin your day. You might just find that this century-old advice is the productivity upgrade you’ve been searching for.
