What Makes The Ivy Lee Method So Powerful? Here’s the Truth
Sep 15, 2024
By Will Moore
Imagine facing a never-ending stream of emails, meetings, and tasks but still ending the day feeling accomplished and in control. It’s not a productivity pipe dream—it’s the result of a simple, century-old method that’s more relevant today than ever.
The Ivy Lee Method, developed in the early 20th century by productivity consultant Ivy Ledbetter Lee, is a time-tested approach to getting things done. Its simplicity and focus on prioritization have made it one of the most effective productivity hacks for busy professionals. The best part? It can improve your focus and productivity overnight by helping you concentrate on what truly matters.
Upgrades You’ll Earn from This Blog:
Learn how to prioritize your most important tasks effectively.
Discover how to minimize decision fatigue and increase focus.
Implement a method that builds momentum and productivity quickly.
What is the Ivy Lee Method?
The Ivy Lee Method was born out of a simple challenge posed by Charles Schwab, then-president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, in the early 1900s. The history of the Ivy Lee Method begins with Schwab, eager to improve his company’s efficiency, seeking advice from Ivy Ledbetter Lee, a productivity consultant and pioneer of public relations. What Lee provided was a remarkably straightforward solution that would not only transform Bethlehem Steel’s productivity but also become a lasting influence on the way professionals around the world approach task management.
The Ivy Lee Method revolves around prioritizing and executing the most important tasks of the day. It is based on a simple, six-step process that ensures you focus on the tasks that matter most without getting bogged down by endless to-do lists or distractions.
Here’s how the six-step process works:
At the end of each workday, write down the six most important tasks you need to accomplish the next day. Limit yourself to six. This constraint forces you to prioritize what truly matters.
Prioritize those six tasks in order of their true importance. Ask yourself: If I could only complete one task tomorrow, what would it be? Repeat this for all six tasks.
When you start work the next day, focus only on the first task. Don’t move to the next task until the previous one is finished.
Approach the rest of your list in the same manner. Work through the tasks one by one, always starting with the highest priority.
At the end of the day, move any unfinished tasks to a new list of six tasks for the following day. This ensures nothing important falls through the cracks.
Repeat this process every day. By doing so, you create a consistent workflow that helps you focus on the tasks that drive real progress.
The beauty of the Ivy Lee Method lies in its simplicity. By reducing your focus to six critical tasks each day and tackling them one at a time, you avoid the overwhelm that often comes with endless to-do lists. This method ensures you make tangible progress on the most important aspects of your work, eliminating unnecessary distractions.
Why the Ivy Lee Method Works
The Ivy Lee Method has endured for over a century because it taps into fundamental principles of productivity and human behavior, driving peak productivity.
Here’s why it continues to be effective in today’s fast-paced, distraction-filled world:
The Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule): The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, states that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. The Ivy Lee Method aligns with this concept by forcing you to prioritize the six tasks that will make the most significant impact. By focusing on the essential few rather than the trivial many, you ensure that your time and energy are spent on the tasks that yield the most value. You should also check out another famous 21/90 rule.
Minimizing Decision Fatigue: By setting tasks in advance, the method eliminates decision fatigue, providing a clear daily plan.
Encouraging Deep Work: Focusing on one task at a time promotes deep work, improving both the quality and speed of task completion.
Simple Yet Sustainable: The simplicity of the Ivy Lee Method makes it easy to follow and sustain without needing complex tools or systems.
Creating Momentum by Tackling High-Priority Tasks Early: Completing important tasks first builds momentum and help you stay motivated and disciplined throughout the day.
Why is the Ivy Lee Method still relevant today?
In an age dominated by digital overload, distractions, and competing priorities, this simple method cuts through the noise. By focusing on just six tasks a day and completing them in order of importance, you can eliminate the stress of decision-making and make steady progress toward your goals. Whether you’re a creative professional, entrepreneur, or someone juggling multiple roles, this method offers a practical, straightforward solution to stay productive.
Actionable Tips to Get Started with the Ivy Lee Method
Ready to implement the Ivy Lee Method and boost your productivity by creating a manageable task list?
Here are some practical tips to help you hit the ground running:
1. Set Up a Nightly Ritual to Plan for the Next Day
The key to the Ivy Lee Method is preparing your to-do list the night before. Before you leave work or wind down for the evening, take 10–15 minutes to write down the six most important tasks you need to complete the next day. This nightly ritual not only helps you get organized but also gives you peace of mind, knowing you’ll start the day with a clear plan.
For example - Imagine you're a marketing manager. Before leaving work, you jot down your six tasks for the next day:
Finalize the client presentation.
Review blog drafts.
Outline the social media strategy.
Respond to urgent emails.
Approve ad visuals with the design team.
Check in with your team.
The next morning, instead of wondering where to start, you jump straight into your first task, ready to tackle the day with focus and clarity.
2. How to Choose the Right Six Tasks
Not all tasks are created equal, so it’s essential to choose tasks that will have the biggest impact on your goals and that you need to accomplish tomorrow. When deciding what to prioritize, ask yourself: What tasks, if completed, will move me closest to my main objectives? Focus on tasks that are high-leverage—those that create the most value for your time. Don ’t let urgent but less important tasks crowd out the ones that truly matter.
3. Track Your Progress and Adjust Your Strategy
Once you’ve begun using the Ivy Lee Method, it’s important to track your progress to see how well it’s working for you. Review your completed tasks at the end of each day. Are you consistently finishing all six? If not, you might need to adjust the complexity or size of the tasks you’re choosing.
Break larger tasks into smaller, actionable steps that are easier to complete within a day. It’s also helpful to reflect on which tasks consistently get carried over and why—this can give you insights into where you might be procrastinating or mismanaging time.
To make tracking your progress even easier, use our Habit Tracker App. This app is designed to simplify your habit-building process by allowing you to monitor your daily progress, maintain streaks, and adjust your strategy as you go. The app provides a visual representation of your habit journey, helping you stay motivated with built-in rewards, achievements, and streak counters. Whether you're working on personal or work habits, the app will keep you on track by offering both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
It’s like having a personal accountability partner in your pocket, ensuring you stick to the Ivy Lee Method and build lasting momentum.
Download the Habit Tracker App now and take the first step towards mastering your tasks and leveling up your life.
Conclusion: Ivy Lee Method
The Ivy Lee Method has stood the test of time for a reason—its simplicity is its strength. By helping you prioritize the six most important tasks and focusing on one task at a time, this method eliminates overwhelm and indecision, replacing them with clarity and focus. In an age of digital distractions, the Ivy Lee Method offers a straightforward, sustainable solution for boosting productivity without complex systems or tools.
FAQ Section
What Are Ivy Lee Method Examples?
Write six key tasks such as "prepare presentation" or "client follow-up," prioritize them, and complete each one in order. Any unfinished tasks are moved to the next day’s list.
How Can You Achieve Peak Productivity?
Focus on one task at a time, starting with the most important. Avoid distractions and move to the next task only after completing the previous one.
What were Ivy Lee's principles?
Ivy Lee's principles centered on simplicity and focus. He emphasized:
Prioritizing tasks
Limiting daily goals to six key items
Concentrating on one task at a time
Planning ahead
Consistently applying the method
These principles aimed to boost productivity by reducing decision fatigue and enhancing focus on high-impact activities.