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Ivy Lee Method

The 100-year-old $25,000 productivity method. List 6 tasks in priority order, work top-to-bottom, carry unfinished tasks to tomorrow.

The Ivy Lee Method

Write down the 6 most important tasks for tomorrow in order of priority. Work through them top-to-bottom — don't start task #2 until #1 is done. Carry unfinished tasks to the next day.

Today's 6 Tasks

Drag to reorder. Focus on one task at a time, starting from the top.

What Is the Ivy Lee Method?

The Ivy Lee Method is one of the oldest and simplest productivity systems in existence. In 1918, productivity consultant Ivy Lee was hired by Charles Schwab, president of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, to improve the efficiency of his management team. Lee's advice was disarmingly simple: at the end of each workday, write down the six most important tasks for tomorrow, rank them in order of importance, and the next day, work through the list one task at a time. Don't move to task two until task one is finished.

The Rules

At the end of each day, write down the 6 most important things you need to accomplish tomorrow. No more than six.
Prioritize those six items in order of their true importance.
When you arrive the next day, concentrate only on the first task. Work until it is finished before moving to the second.
Approach the rest of your list the same way. At the end of the day, move any unfinished items to a new list of six for the next day.
Repeat this process every working day.

Why the Ivy Lee Method Works

Radical simplicity: There is no app to learn, no system to maintain, no tags or contexts to manage. The constraint of six tasks forces you to identify what truly matters.
Single-tasking: By working on one task at a time in strict order, you eliminate the constant context-switching that destroys productivity. Research consistently shows that multitasking reduces output quality and increases error rates.
Decision reduction: You decide your priorities the night before, when you have perspective. The next morning, you don't waste willpower deciding what to work on — you just start.
Built-in accountability: Unfinished tasks carry over, creating a visible record of what you didn't get to. Over time, this helps you become more realistic about what you can accomplish in a day.

The $25,000 Story

After Schwab's executives tried the method for three months, he was so impressed with the results that he wrote Ivy Lee a check for $25,000 — roughly $500,000 in today's dollars. Schwab later credited the method as one of the most profitable pieces of advice he ever received. The story has become legendary in productivity circles, and the method remains effective over a century later precisely because of its refusal to overcomplicate things.

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How to Use the Ivy Lee Method

1
Enter your values
Open the Ivy Lee Method and fill in the required input fields with your numbers or selections.
2
Review the calculation
The tool automatically computes the result as you type. Double-check your inputs to ensure accuracy.
3
Interpret your results
Review the calculated output along with any breakdowns, charts, or explanations provided to understand what the numbers mean for your situation.

Sources & Verification

U.S. Department of Education UNESCO Education Data

Published by ConvertCrunch Editorial Team | Our Methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ivy Lee Method?

The Ivy Lee Method is a free browser-based tool on ConvertCrunch. The 100-year-old $25,000 productivity method. List 6 tasks in priority order, work top-to-bottom, carry unfinished tasks to tomorrow. It requires no downloads, installations, or account signups. Simply enter your values and get instant, accurate results. The tool is designed for quick calculations and informed decision-making, whether you are a professional, student, or everyday user looking for reliable answers.

How do I use the Ivy Lee Method?

Using the Ivy Lee Method is straightforward. Enter your values into the input fields provided on the page, then calculate or adjust parameters to explore scenarios. Most processing happens locally in your browser. If a feature uses a third-party service, the tool identifies that connection and the privacy policy explains it. Most users get the answers they need in under a minute.

Is the Ivy Lee Method free to use?

Yes, the Ivy Lee Method is completely free to use with no account signup, email requirement, or premium tier. Most calculations run locally in your browser. Features that depend on live data or a third-party service require a network connection and are identified in the tool. You can use it as many times as you need for personal, educational, or professional purposes.

How accurate is the Ivy Lee Method?

The Ivy Lee Method uses standard academic formulas and grading scales. Results depend on the accuracy of the information you enter. Grading policies, credit weighting, and academic standards vary by institution, so verify specific requirements with your school's registrar or academic advisor. This tool is designed for planning and estimation, not as an official academic record.

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What Is the Ivy Lee Method?

The Rules

At the end of each day, write down the 6 most important things you need to accomplish tomorrow. No more than six.
Prioritize those six items in order of their true importance.
When you arrive the next day, concentrate only on the first task. Work until it is finished before moving to the second.
Approach the rest of your list the same way. At the end of the day, move any unfinished items to a new list of six for the next day.
Repeat this process every working day.

Why the Ivy Lee Method Works

Radical simplicity: There is no app to learn, no system to maintain, no tags or contexts to manage. The constraint of six tasks forces you to identify what truly matters.
Single-tasking: By working on one task at a time in strict order, you eliminate the constant context-switching that destroys productivity. Research consistently shows that multitasking reduces output quality and increases error rates.
Decision reduction: You decide your priorities the night before, when you have perspective. The next morning, you don't waste willpower deciding what to work on — you just start.
Built-in accountability: Unfinished tasks carry over, creating a visible record of what you didn't get to. Over time, this helps you become more realistic about what you can accomplish in a day.