The Ivy Lee Method: A Simple Daily Routine to Boost Productivity

For busy executives, effective time management and task organization are critical. When every minute counts, implementing a quick system can bring clarity and structure to your day. That’s what the Ivy Lee method is: A simple, five-minute exercise you can work into your current routine to strengthen your prioritization and focus. For over 100 years, leaders, politicians, and other high performers have used the method to achieve peak productivity and reduce decision fatigue. 

Learn how the Ivy Lee method works and when to apply it for increased focus and momentum.

What Is the Ivy Lee Method?

The Ivy Lee method is a popular prioritization technique that has been used for more than 100 years. Implementing this daily productivity method will help you organize your time and effort around your highest-leverage tasks. To put it into practice, follow these four steps.

1. List Your Top Six Tasks

At the end of your workday, select the six most important tasks you want to achieve the following day. These won’t necessarily be tasks you’re itching to accomplish but the ones that will give you the most significant return on your time investment. If you have more to do, you can write them down, but your aim for the next day is just to complete six. 

2. Rank Them by Importance

Identify which tasks need your immediate attention and set the order according to their level of urgency. Ignore other factors for the moment, such as anticipated time for completion or the effort and resources required. 

3. Work Through Them in Order

The Ivy Lee method encourages you to start with the first task and complete it before moving on to the second. Don’t be tempted to skip the queue because one is more appealing or you’re feeling fatigued by your current task. You can take breaks with the Ivy Lee method, but make them rest periods — don’t substitute. 

4. Carry Over Unfinished Tasks 

Whatever you don’t complete goes on the list for the next day. Consider why you didn’t finish the task — perhaps you’re taking on too many large jobs in one day or you’re combining three or four small tasks into one super task. 

A Brief History of the Ivy Lee Method

The method was developed in 1918 when Charles M. Schwab, the president of Bethlehem Steel, consulted with productivity consultant Ivy Lee to gain advice on increasing the efficiency of his executive team. Lee suggested that the Bethlehem Steel executives write down their six most important tasks at the end of each day. Schwab later noted that it was the most profitable advice he had ever received.

The Ivy Lee Method: Best Practices for Duccess

How consistently you follow the method will determine its efficacy. Here are some suggestions for making the most of the process.

Plan Ahead

Planning can help you avoid decision fatigue, so you arrive at work knowing how to proceed with a set agenda already prepared. By knowing what type of work you’re facing the next day, you can mentally prepare for what’s in store. While every workday has unexpected events, the bulk of your time will be predictable and, therefore, more manageable.

Be Realistic

You have six daily tasks. This may feel insufficient, but if you employ the Ivy Lee method over a five-day week, that’s 30 tasks per week and 120 per month. It’s important to understand that listing six tasks doesn’t necessarily mean you will achieve all of them. You may not complete your list if you have a task that takes four hours. If this happens, continue to finish them in order and carry the extras over to the next day.

Take Breaks

If you try to work non-stop, your productivity and efficiency will decrease over time, so ensure you schedule regular breaks. Consider using a time management technique like the Pomodoro method, which encourages a five-minute break every 25 minutes.

Track Progress

Keep track of your completions. Noting your progress will help you identify the types of tasks that are most time-consuming and which might be better delegated to a team member. If you routinely carry them over into the next day, you may have too many large tasks. 

Review Weekly

At the end of every week, take a few minutes to review your completed tasks and determine what worked or didn’t. Think about whether the tasks aligned with your goals and whether you truly tackled the highest-impact ones first. A quick review of your week will determine whether the Ivy Lee method is benefiting you.

Align Your Tasks with Strategic Goals

Your tasks should contribute to achieving your overall business goals. If they don’t move you toward your long-term objectives, you may need to adjust your focus. Build your lists with your strategic roadmap in mind. 

Get Started With an Athena Assistant

The Ivy Lee method helps you stay focused and productive, but you don’t have to complete everything yourself. An Athena Assistant can take routine and time-consuming tasks off your plate so you can focus your energy on high-impact items. 

Our assistants are elite professionals selected from the top 1% of applicants. They have access to ongoing training and cutting-edge AI tools, ensuring leaders receive the help they need to keep moving forward. 

Become the leader who gets the right things done — get started with an Athena Assistant today.

FAQ

What do I do if I consistently fail to complete all six tasks?

It can feel overwhelming when you fail to complete all your tasks several days in a row. If you regularly fall short, treat it as feedback and adjust your planning. Look for patterns — perhaps certain tasks are too big or vague. You could reduce your list to four or five if that feels more realistic, or consider delegating or postponing tasks where possible. 

How can I delegate tasks using the Ivy Lee method?

The Ivy Lee method encourages you to focus on the items on your list that require your attention. If a task is repetitive, low-priority, or outside your core responsibilities flag it for delegation. Keep a separate list of items to assign, then pass them along to a trusted team member with clear instructions, the desired outcome, and a deadline. This helps protect your time while ensuring everything gets done. 

What if I have more than six tasks to complete?

The Ivy Lee method mandates a six-task limit for a reason. Without the constraint, it’s easy to keep expanding your list. However, depending on the size and scope of your tasks, six may not be the right fit. The 1-3-5 method can provide more flexibility. Schedule one big task, three medium tasks, and five small manageable tasks. 

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