How to Make the Ultimate To Do List

This shop to create the Ultimate To Do List with Post-it® has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SchoolYearReady #CollectiveBias

In our house we’re home all the time. We school here, I work here, we do project upon project here. We write to do list for just about everything and they are literally scattered around the house!

Guess what? I’m practically drowning in to do lists!

We’re registered for yet another year of homeschooling and I’m determined to make this the best year yet, but with a plethora of to do lists written up and scattered all over the house I’m having trouble keeping up. Not to mention all of the project ideas we have for school that aren’t really on a to do list yet, but more of a reminder list. We have science projects, craft projects, field trips, books we want to read and more.

I have all of these ideas swimming in my head and I can’t get them down on paper, nor organized fast enough. I needed to do something, so I did. I created the Ultimate To Do List and I’m going to show you how to make one too. It takes less than ten minutes to complete once you have all of your supplies, then you just have to start inputting all of your tasks and ideas.

Simple, right? Yes it is. And it’s versatile too! You can adapt this DIY idea to fit with project management, study skills, work, home, groceries, or anything else your heart desires. For this list maker, I’m in love with this idea and I may never leave home without it again!

Ultimate To Do List Supplies

• Binder, notebook or something you want to create your to do list in. I like the ability to move things around, add and subtract pages as I go, so I went with a one inch, three ring binder. You can use separate notebooks, a multi subject notebook, a planner or whatever you want. Use what works with your style.

• Divider Pages. I used cardstock with Post-it® 1″ Durable Tabs in the Red, Yellow, and Blue 3 pack. They are removable and I can rearrange as I need, which is perfect for someone as indecisive as me.

• Filler Pages. I used regular line loose leaf paper. You can add in colored paper, scrap book paper, or anything else that fits your style. See how customizable this is! Oh and don’t forget reinforcers if you need them. The paper I bought actually has reinforced edges already. How cool is that?!

• Post-it® Notes. This is the most important ingredient to the chaos reducing project you’re about to embark upon because these little sanity saving devices are how you are going to organize your Ultimate To Do List. Get whatever size and/or color that works for you. I love variety and color, so I picked up just about everything.

I’m loving the Post-it® Super Sticky Notes that are 3×3 with a 90 sheet single pad in Mediterranean Blue, Neon Green and Neon Orange. When they say super sticky, they mean it, and it’s perfect for this project. Plus the bright colors really reflect my bright personality. However, I’m also a person of many interests which is why I also picked up Post-it® Super Sticky Notes with Multi pad sizes, the Post-it® Notes and Page Markers Multi pack in assorted sizes and colors, and more. I went a little Post-it® Notes crazy, and I’m okay with that. Seriously, Post-it® has me covered for this project.

How about I explain to you how it works.

Ultimate To Do List Instructions

1. Decide on the life categories you want to create. I’m mixing home and school for this one, though as the weeks pass I’m sure I’ll be adding more divider sheets. Once you’ve decided on your categories, create the divider pages with cardstock and Post-it® Tabs then fill each section with blank paper.

If you opted for a planner or spiral/composition notebook, just add the Post-it® Tabs to select pages making sure you left enough blank space between each for the complete to do list entries. The beauty of this method is you can always move the Post-it® Tabs and Post-it® Notes around to different pages later if you need more room in one section.

2. Next create your blank to do list template pages. Whatever you would normally make a to do list for, work, school, home, menu planning, whatever you want, create a page for it. I just used sheet of cardstock for each, then wrote what it was at the top. I placed these at the front of the binder. If you have a lot, you may consider using even more Post-it® Tabs so you can find the one you want faster.

Also, don’t forget Post-it® has a wide variety of colors, which means you can easily color code your to do list. I haven’t gotten this far, but at this point in the project, you might want to consider it. Especially if you’re a highly detailed person like I am. I’m sure I’ll be color coding everything soon.

3. You’re almost done! See, I told you this was fast. You’re going to have your to do lists organized in no time! This is the fun part. Well, it’s fun for me. Add in your Post-it® Note command center. Sounds impressive doesn’t it? Well, it looks impressive too! Check this out.

To create this handy Post-it® Note dispensing center in your binder or notebook I just grabbed my favorite Post-it® Note pad and took off the plastic, just like so.

Flip it over and pull off the backing.

Then stick it down to the surface where you’re creating your Post-it® Note command center.

If you want a little extra sticky reinforcement to hold all of those Post-it® Notes in place, just grab a little double sided tape to help it stay in place. Then, keep adding Post-it® Note pads until you have either as many as you want or the surface is filled. Whichever comes first.

That’s it, your Ultimate To Do List is now ready for action.

How to Use the Ultimate To Do List

To show you how I’m using this amazing binder to do list I took a few pictures. I’m hoping these inspire you to create your own Ultimate To Do List.

First, the category page. I picked one that was filled with craft ideas for the kids. These are somewhat general, but as we get moving with this organizer, I’m sure we’re going to have many more detailed entries.

As I have ideas, I just jot them down on Post-it® Notes. I can do this throughout the day. I can even carry one in my purse for when we’re on the move. Then, when I get home, or when I have time, I just take all of our ideas and put them in the main part of the to do list.

When I’m ready to set up my to do list for the day or week, I’ll just flip through each section to see what needs to be done and add the Post-it® Notes that have highest priority for the day to my official to do list in the front.

This one has a mix of home and school projects we’re going to complete for the day. As we complete each task I’ll just take it off and put it back it’s home to be reused later. If we complete everything we can either be done for the day, or we’ll just add in the next level of priority for things to do.

As you can see, this to do list can help you organize everything from home, work and school to vacation planning and volunteer planning. Use it however it fits into your daily life.

Post-it® Notes are easy to find. I found them in two locations at Walmart. First back in the home office, stationary section, but also in the Seasonal section for Back to School. Pick up which ever colors, styles and sizes that suit you!

I gave you one of my fantastic organizing ideas using Post-it® Notes. Tell me one of your organizing tips that helps get you through the day.