The Combination to-do list is a productivity tool that helps keep those tasks that you need to accomplish in focus. You begin by creating a personal “bucket list” of to-do items, which will always be in front of you as you decide daily what your focus will be. Much like a simplified Kanban board, you start by capturing all tasks in a central list. With a Kanban board, as you make progress on a task, you update the status of each task by moving that task to the appropriate column on the board-whether it’s in progress, under review, or completed. With the Combination to-do list, instead of shifting tasks through process stages, the Combination to-do list emphasizes forward momentum by rolling over unfinished tasks to the next day, ensuring that the task is not forgotten and eventually gets completed.
The Combination To-Do List in Action
Do you need a better understanding of the Combination to-do list? If so, let’s meet Lisa.
Lisa is a high-spirited 38-year-old clinical social worker with a passion for helping people and communities facing challenges. She has a husband, two energetic kids, and a gym membership that sees her maybe twice a week. Her days are a constant struggle of balancing her blessings, but she’s found her stride using the Combination to-do list. Here’s a Monday morning example of how she is using the Combined list.
8:30 AM — Monday Morning Start
With a cappuccino in one hand and her favorite pen in another, she scans her “bucket list”—the master list of all the tasks she’s collected. She’s already had a busy morning: dropping the kids off at school, and taking time for prayer and daily meditation, all of which are part of her daily routine. Her master task list, however, is filled with tasks she needs to do, but are not a part of her daily routine, such as:
- Finalize session plans and review client files
- Conduct two individual therapy sessions
- Assess client progress and update treatment plans.
- Submit insurance claims
- Email contractor about sunroom redesign
- Schedule dental appointment
- Pick up groceries
- Water plants
- Mail birthday gift for Dad
From her bucket list, she decides her focus today (Monday) will be to (1) prep for and conduct two therapy sessions, (2) submit insurance claims, (3) send contractor email, and (4) get groceries. So, she writes those items in Monday’s zone.
11:30 AM — Interrupted While in the Flow
After her therapy sessions, Lisa had been engrossed in submitting insurance claims. However, midway through, she gets crisis calls from one of her patients, which pulls her away from a task she was half-finished with, but that’s okay—it will remain “unfinished” for now, ready to roll forward into Tuesday’s zone.
Finalize session plans and review client filesConduct two individual therapy sessions- Submit insurance claims
3:30 PM — The Breakaway to Run Errands
After handling a crisis call, Lisa carefully crafts and sends an email to her contractor, outlining her vision and specific design preferences for the sunroom she has been dreaming about. With another task off her plate, she squeezes in a quick break to recharge, then heads to the grocery store before picking up the kids.
Email contractor about sunroom redesignPick up groceries
9:15 PM — Evening Recap & Unwind
Once the kids are in bed, Lisa settles in to add a few new items to her master task list and reviews her progress for today. Four tasks are completed, and one moves forward for tomorrow. No guilt, no forgetting, she just writes Monday’s unfinished task into Tuesday’s zone—it’ll be waiting for her, front and center, tomorrow.
Benefits of Using the Combination To-Do List
If you struggle with getting things done, the combination to-do list is a constant reminder of what needs to be done. I’ve been using this process for years, and I talk about it in depth in my book: Balancing Blessings and Obtaining Order, available on Amazon.com. It’s a great tool for getting things done, since it provides:
- Task Focus & Visibility: Tasks are never buried or forgotten—your active tasks are front and center each day, giving you clarity without overwhelming you.
- Progress Without Guilt: Unfinished tasks or tasks you were unable to start aren’t failures. The rollover process keeps tasks alive until completion, turning each effort or desire to complete a task in a given day into progress steps, not stress.
- Visual Satisfaction & Motivation: Seeing how much you can accomplish at the end of a given week is encouraging—it’s like mini wins that propel you forward.
Below is your cheat sheet for using the Combination To-Do List effectively. You can also download the form in your preferred format: 8.5 x 11 inches, 5.5 x 8.5 inches, or Remarkable Pro.
