Get Stuff Done: How to Rock Your To-Do List with the ABCDE Method

Hey there, chaos coordinators! Ready to wrangle your tasks and conquer your day?

Today, we’re diving into a tried-and-true method that’ll help you slay your to-do list like a pro: the ABCDE prioritization method, straight from the playbook of productivity guru Brian Tracy. So grab your favorite planner and let’s tame that chaos together!

Getting to Know the ABCDE Method:

Now, let’s break down this ABCDE thing. It’s simple yet effective, just what we need in the midst of our daily chaos:

A – These are your top-priority tasks, the ones that absolutely must get done today. They’re like the big frogs you gotta gulp down first thing in the morning.

B – Important, but not as urgent as your A tasks. They’re the side dishes to your main course. Remember, everything can’t be an A item…it’s important to be honest with yourself on which items HAVE to be done vs which ones you WANT to get done. Watch the video at the end of this article to see that happen in real-time for me.

C – Nice to do, but not essential. Tackle them if you have the time, but they won’t make or break your day. I will argue that you have to make room for some of these C items in your day, because over the long-haul, these can be good for your mental health.

D – Delegate these tasks if possible. No shame in asking for a little help from your crew when needed. Remember, it’s an opportunity for them to learn new skills! Change your mindset on delegating if you have a hard time giving up control…it’s about teaching someone else how to do something new.

E – Eliminate any tasks that are just cluttering up your list. Life’s too short to waste time on stuff that doesn’t move the needle. Get rid of those time sucks…

Putting it into Action:

So how do we put this into action? Start by jotting down all your tasks in your planner, then give each one a priority level. Remember, those A tasks come first! If you have more than one item in a category, you’ll number them in order of priority (i.e. A1, A2, B1, B2…) As Brian Tracy wisely said, “Your ‘frog’ is your biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t do something about it.” Now, there are others who say to do the small tasks first to knock them off of your list. I say do whatever gets you to keep moving forward. 🙂

Check in on your list regularly to make sure you’re staying on track. Your planner is your trusty sidekick in this productivity journey, after all! I keep mine open on my desk so that I can easily see my list as I am working to keep myself on-track. Do you know where yours is? Side note: if you need help building consistency in using your planner – come join us in the Chaos Coordinator Community.

Chaos coordinators, the ABCDE method is your secret weapon in the battle against overwhelm. With a little help from Brian Tracy’s wisdom, you’ll be unstoppable in your quest for productivity.

Want to see this method in action? Then check out my latest YouTube video before you go!

 

Other Suggested Articles:

You may find these additional articles helpful for prioritizing your to-do list. Find the method that works for you!

Mastering Time Management: The Eisenhower Matrix