The Psychology of To-do Lists (1)

Here’s why to-do lists work … or don’t work

As I write this, a long list of tasks sits on the desk beside me, reminding me what to work on. Many people like me use to-do list to organize work and manage time. So what makes this method effective?

Psychologists have observed that people usually focus on tasks that aren't finished. This tendency may sound helpful - but it isn't always. In one study, people who didn't finish a warm-up activity struggled with later tasks. Their minds were still occupied with the warm-up. Planning how to finish the warm-up removed this distraction even if they couldn't complete the task.

Similarly, to-do lists let people plan when to complete tasks not yet finished. That frees their minds to concentrate on the task at hand. But writing a to-do list doesn't guarantee success. This technique has several limitations.

Problem: A long list of tasks that need to be done can be overwhelming. When faced with too many choices, people may find it difficult to do anything.

Solution: Prioritize the items on the list, and start with the most important tasks.


Grammar Gym
That frees their minds to concentrate on the task at hand.
frees: letting go
- After the war, the prisoners were freed from prison.
- Jan decided to quit her second job; this frees her time to be with her kids more.
- Benjamin needs to free his schedule before he can say yes to any new commitments.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Occupied vs. Preoccupied

A person can be either occupied or preoccupied. Now, Ken, what's the difference?

Well, occupied means "filled up" or "in use". If a seat is occupied, someone is sitting there. If a person is occupied, he or she is involved in some kind of activity or work. You can keep yourself occupied  by working on a project.

So, if somebody is occupied, he's busy. Preoccupied, on the other hand, describes a mental condition. If a person is preoccupied, he or she is engrossed or absorbed in thought. If you are planning a wedding, you may get preoccupied with all the details.

And those details occupy your mind.

That's right. So there is a some overlap between the two words, especially if you talk about one's mind being occupied. But generally speaking, occupied is concerned about the physical, preoccupied is concerned about the mental.

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Their minds were still occupied with the warm-up.
= They were still preoccupied with the warm-up.


Language Lab
psychology n.
/saɪˈkɑ:ləʤi/
the science or study of the mind and behavior
the way a person or group thinks [noncount]
- The detective majored in criminal psychology.
psychological adj.
/ˌsaɪkəˈlɑ:ʤɪkəl/
of or relating to the mind
- psychological analysis

tendency n.
/ˈtɛndənsi/
a quality that makes something likely to happen or that makes someone likely to think or behave in a particular way
- The patient is struggling against suicidal tendencies.
- Tanya has a tendency to avoid conflicts.
- There's a tendency for gold prices to rise when the economy is bad.

concentrate v.
to cause (attention, efforts, strength, etc.) to be used or directed for a single purpose — usually + on
- Rita decided to concentrate on her career.
concentration n.
the ability to give your attention or thought to a single object or activity : the ability to concentrate
- Driving requires constant concentration.

overwhelming adj.
used to describe something that is so confusing, difficult, etc., that you feel unable to do it
overwhelm v.
to cause (someone) to have too many things to deal with
to affect (someone) very strongly
- The overwhelming success almost ruined the teenage star.
- The team celebrated their overwhelming victory with their coach.



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