methodatlas
Operations

Ivy Lee Method

Turns workflows, data, causes, and improvements into a tangible result by writing down up to six tasks, sorting them by importance, starting with number one the next day, and reorganizing anything unfinished.

Core question
Which six tasks tomorrow, in what order, will secure the largest daily progress?
LowAsync5-10 min täglich
Open runsheetSet up routineStart comparison
Purpose

The method helps clarify workflows, data, causes, and improvements concretely. It identifies patterns, causes, bottlenecks, or constraints and turns them into actions. The result is captured as a Daily Priority List and Completion Notes.

How it works

The team follows the steps: list up to six tasks, sort by importance, start with number one the next day, work on one task at a time, and reorganize unfinished tasks. Each step is captured visibly. In the end, a Daily Priority List and Completion Notes are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.

Visual orientation

Method sketch for a quick mental model.

Ivy Lee · 6 TasksPrioritize up to six tasks the evening before, work through them sequentially the next day, and re-sort unfinished work
Ivy Lee MethodThe visual shows the Ivy Lee Method with evening planning, six prioritized tasks, sequential execution, and reprioritization of unfinished work.Reduce tomorrow to six prioritized tasksIvy Lee prevents constant reprioritization: plan first, then work strictly in order.sortone after anotherend of dayEveningwrite down up to six tasks fortomorrowPriority list1Most important task2Next priority3Then4Then5Optional6OptionalTomorrowstart at 1 and only thencontinueReorderreprioritize unfinished workinstead of dragging it along

Flow

  1. 1List up to six tasks
  2. 2Sort by importance
  3. 3Start with number one the next day
  4. 4Work on one task at a time
  5. 5Reorganize unfinished tasks

The runsheet guides execution with 5 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.

Open runsheet

Ideal for

  • Daily Planning
  • Solo Execution
  • Focus Recovery

Not good for

  • Complex dependency planning
  • Large team backlogs

Deep dive

In detail

Ivy Lee Method follows a clear working logic: list up to six tasks, sort by importance, start with number one the next day, work on one task at a time, and reorganize unfinished tasks. This turns the method into a visible thinking process instead of only a discussion. The participants move step by step from raw material, observations, or options to a shared structure. As a result, a Daily Priority List and Completion Notes become actionable for decisions, learning, or further planning.

Facilitation

Prepare a clear guiding question, the right information, and a visible workspace. Plan about 5 to 10 minutes each day for one person and use the format asynchronously. Keep facilitation lightweight; short timeboxes, visible intermediate results, and a parking lot for open questions help.

Output artifacts
Daily Priority ListCompletion Notes
Tags
daily planningprioritizationproductivityexecution

Sources

The Ivy Lee Method: The Daily Routine for Peak Productivityjamesclear.com
Artifact templates
Ivy Lee Method Working TemplateCompact working template for Ivy Lee Method with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
markdown

ivy-lee-method-working-template.md

Compact working template for Ivy Lee Method with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.

Ivy Lee Method Working Template

Goal

Reduces daily planning to six prioritized tasks in a fixed order.

Context

When and for what do we use this method?

Input

Which data, observations, decisions, or materials are available?

Execution

Short notes along the runsheet.

Output artifacts

  • Daily Priority List:
  • Completion Notes:

Assumptions and open questions

  • ...

Decision / Next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

When to choose differently

Short decision aid for existing alternatives.

Eisenhower Matrix

Statt Ivy Lee Method, wenn du Aufgaben nach Dringlichkeit und Wichtigkeit sortieren und priorisieren willst.

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