Ivy Lee Method: the best technique to prioritize tasks effectively

Published on October 24, 2025 · Time Management

What is the Ivy Lee Method?

In a world obsessed with the latest productivity app and the most complex organization systems, sometimes the most effective solutions are the simplest. Today we are going to dust off a gem that is more than 100 years old: the Ivy Lee method. A technique so simple it seems almost ridiculous, but whose effectiveness has stood the test of time.

The story goes that Charles M. Schwab, a steel magnate, hired a productivity consultant named Ivy Lee in 1918. Schwab asked him to show him a way to get more things done. Lee told him to give him 15 minutes with each of his executives and that, if it worked, he would pay him what he thought was fair. Three months after, Lee received a check for $25,000 (the equivalent of more than $400,000 today).

The secret that was worth so much money? A five-step method that you can apply every day before going home.

How to Apply the Ivy Lee Method step by step

The beauty of this technique lies in its simplicity. You don't need software, or special notebooks. Only a piece of paper and a pen.

• Step 1: Write down six tasks. At the end of each workday, write down the six most important things you need to do the next day. Only six, no more.
• Step 2: Prioritize the list. Reorder those six tasks in order of true importance. What is the most crucial to advance towards your goals?
• Step 3: Focus on the first task. When you arrive at work the next day, forget about everything else. Take your list and start working only on task number one.
• Step 4: Work until it's complete. Don't move on to the next task until the first one is finished. Interruptions will happen, but your main focus must be to return to that task until it’s done.
• Step 5: Repeat. Once finished the first one, move to the second, and so on. At the end of the day, any task you haven't completed, move it to your new list of six for the next day.

Real-World Application Example

To move beyond theory, let's see what a professional's list might look like before finishing their workday on Monday:

On Tuesday, this person will not touch the sales report until the Project Alpha quote is sent. If an emergency arises, they will handle it, but return immediately to step 1.

Calculate your time effectively

If you want to measure how much time you actually spend on each of these six tasks and apply the Ivy Lee Method with real data, use our work hours calculator. A great practice is to combine it with Time Blocking techniques to reserve specific slots for each task.

The Science of Success: Why It Works

Although the method is over a century old, modern neuroscience supports its effectiveness through two key concepts:

• Reduction of Decision Fatigue: Psychologist Roy Baumeister proved that our ability to make decisions is a limited resource that is depleted throughout the day. By choosing your tasks the night before, you avoid wasting valuable mental energy at the start of your day, saving it for execution.
• The Zeigarnik Effect: Our minds tend to remember unfinished tasks, which generates anxiety. By writing the list before bed, your brain temporarily "files away" those worries, improving your quality of rest.

Benefits of the Ivy Lee Method

This system combats the great enemies of modern productivity:

• Deep Work: By concentrating on a single thing, you avoid the "context switching" cost that destroys efficiency.
• Forced Prioritization: It forces you to be realistic. You can't do everything, so it ensures what you do is the right thing.

Limitations & Critiques: When Not to Use It?

No method is perfect. Productivity experts point out some weaknesses to consider:

• Ignores Duration: One of the 6 tasks could take 10 minutes and another 5 hours. It doesn't help estimate the actual workload.
• Rigidity: In extremely volatile environments, a closed list of 6 tasks can become obsolete within the first hour of the morning.
• Lack of Context: It doesn't distinguish between high-energy (creative) and low-energy (administrative) tasks.

Comparison: Ivy Lee vs. Other Methods

Frequently Asked Questions about the Ivy Lee Method

Here we answer the most common questions about implementing this productivity system.

• What happens if I don't finish the six tasks in one day?
  Don't worry. Incomplete tasks are simply moved to the next day's list. The key is not the quantity, but ensuring you're always dedicating your time to what matters most.
• Can I use this method if I have frequent interruptions?
  Yes. In fact, the Ivy Lee method shines here because it acts as a "mental anchor." By knowing exactly what your number one task is, you can pick up the thread much faster after an inevitable interruption.
• How does the Ivy Lee method adapt to reactive work (support, emails)?
  In highly reactive jobs, you can treat managing emergencies as a single task on your list or dedicated specific blocks to it. Use the method to ensure that, between emergencies, your strategic tasks keep moving forward.
• Is it better than the Pomodoro Technique or Time Blocking?
  They are not mutually exclusive. Ideally, use them together: use Ivy Lee to choose what to do, Time Blocking to assign them a slot in your schedule, and the Pomodoro Technique to stay focused while executing them.
• Can I use a digital app instead of paper?
  Of course. While paper avoids digital distractions, apps like TickTick, Notion, or Todoist work perfectly as long as you respect the golden rule: a maximum of 6 tasks and a strict order of priority.

A Tip for the Modern World

In 1918 there were no Slack notifications, incessant emails or Zoom meetings. However, implementing the Ivy Lee method in remote work is more relevant today than ever to avoid digital distraction. To adapt it to the present day, you can consider a "zero task": dedicate the first 15-30 minutes of the day to managing urgent communications.

The next time you feel overwhelmed by an endless to-do list, try this method. And if you want to explore other ways to organize your time, you can read about the Pomodoro Technique. The solution to your work overload may not be in a new technology, but in a century-old tip that fits on a napkin.