You know those uber-organized people who keep color-coded calendars, never show up late, and fill the cracks in their day with productive tasks?
An admirable group. Many of us, however, haven’t yet reached that madreiga.
Leaders are often visionaries – creative, innovative, big-picture thinkers. Keeping track of nitty-gritty practical details isn’t always our strong suit. But effective leaders know how to turn vision into consistent action.
That’s why I want to share six simple productivity habits that even the most organization-shy leaders can use to gain control of their to-do lists.
Step 1: Only If It’s Actionable
Don’t place a task on your to-do list unless it starts with a clear verb – a clear instruction for what you need to do.
- Call Joe Cohen to arrange xyz
- Edit the building proposal for team review
- Email Yehuda about meeting with Mr. Newmoney
If it isn’t actionable, it doesn’t belong on your list.
Step 2: Actionable Dates
Next to each actionable task, assign a clear, hard date for when you will do it.
Dateless tasks rarely get done. Our brains skip over them, and the more tasks we skip, the more cluttered – and stressful – our lists become.
Actionable dates create momentum.
Step 3: Actionable Follow-Up
Most tasks involve more than one step. A phone call often leads to another call, a follow-up email, or a next decision.
Once you’ve crossed a task off your list, pause and ask:
Is there a next action?
If there is, add it immediately – and give it a date.
This matters especially in fundraising, where results are driven far more by follow-up than by first contact.
Step 4: Time-Blocking
Assign a realistic time-block to each task.
Most people underestimate how long things take. Without time-blocking, you can reach the end of a long day with a full list and little to show for it.
When each task has a time estimate, you can quickly calculate how much calendar space your list actually requires.
Step 5: Prioritizing
Some days, even with good planning, you won’t have enough time to complete everything on your list.
That’s okay.
Identify the most urgent and important tasks, complete those first, and consciously reschedule the rest.
Tofasta merubah lo tofasta. When it comes to productivity, less is often more.
Step 6: Daily Updates
A to-do list only works if it’s maintained.
Spend a few minutes each day updating it – closing loops, adding follow-ups, and adjusting dates as needed.
Tools like Smartsheet, Asana, or Todoist can help. Pen and paper works too. The tool matters far less than the habit.
That’s it. Six simple steps to a to-do list that actually supports your leadership.
A well-maintained to-do list is an investment. Put in a few focused minutes, and you’ll gain hours of clarity, follow-through, and momentum.
Have a productive and successful week.
Avraham
P.S. In fundraising, consistent execution – especially follow-up – matters more than brilliance, and a disciplined to-do list makes that consistency possible.
© 2026 Avraham Lewis & Co.