If you’re anything like me, then your todo list has lot on it these days. We’re far enough into 2018 that things are in full-swing: homework, midterms, projects, meetings… and roaches (those little nagging tasks that need done but you never seem to find the time).

After trying every app under the sun, I’ve decided that a piece of paper is the best todo list. Nothing gets lost on a piece of paper (except the paper itself, which is why I snap a picture of it regularly).

I start each Monday with a blank page, and begin writing. I copy incomplete tasks from last week, and write down the new tasks for this week. I recently noticed that there are about a dozen recurring tasks in my world: I typed them as a list and print it to start my sheet.

Depending on your style, here are two ways to get on top of that list.

Draw a Circle Next to Today’s Tasks

If you use Time Budgeting, then you have already planned blocks of time for your big responsibilities. This is my style. Once a day I sit down and draw a little circle next to the things I need to be sure I work on today. When a certain block of time rolls around, I do a quick scan for tasks that fit that block and get to work.

Rank by Priority

If you could do just one thing today, which item would it be? No, not two. One. Having trouble deciding? Imagine a long lost friend will be here in an hour and you want to blow off the rest of the day to catch up. What one thing would you do? Write a “1” next to it.

Long-lost friend didn’t arrive? What is the next thing you would do? Give it a “2.” and so on.

Done.

I draw a single line through completed tasks so I can read them in the future. At the end of the day, erase the leftover circles/numbers so you can start fresh tomorrow.

Budget Your Time

The real secret to getting that todo list cleared is to budget time. Don’t “work on things until they’re done.” Give then an allotment and stop working when the time’s up. Uncomfortable at first, powerful in the long run.