20 Ivy Lee Method examples working smarter

Find Ivy Lee Method examples to slay your goals.  Productivity supports working smarter, and better success.  Read to see how everyone can gain, including blogger ideas.

Productivity is a popular topic on my self-improvement blog.  My readers are mostly other bloggers and digital solopreneurs.  It’s therefore crucial that I share working smarter tips.

What is the Ivy Lee Method?

‘Productivity experts and platforms have cited the “Ivy Lee Method” for improving individuals’ efficiency in managing tasks and getting things done.’ – More on Wikipedia. 

How to go about this helpful method:

• List 6 tasks
• Prioritize 
• Remain focused 
• Proceed list-order
• Defer unfinished 
• Daily routine 

Before clocking off for the day, list only 6 tasks for the next day.  It helps to focus and prioritize.  These would be what you consider being your Most Important Tasks.

Prioritize by listing the tasks in such an order.  Start with the most important, ending with the least of the 6.

Back to work on the following day, you start with the task on top of the list.  Complete it before moving to the next on the list.  Enjoy remaining focused, and not having to multitask.

Proceed in the order of your list.  Finish the first, move to the second, and so on till you complete all 6.  If ever your list is incomplete at the end of the workday, not a big deal.  Start the next day with the incomplete task on top of your new list.

Practice the steps daily.  Get into a routine, naturally.  It supports a productivity boost, as well as goal achievements.

Ivy Lee Method examples

There are endless ways you can use and apply the technique.  It’s for everyone, different fields, and walks of life.  I’ll list general examples in personal life, and the corporate world.  I’ll then come to blogger-specific tasks.

20 ways to use the method:

1. Chores
2. Self-care
3. Self-improvement 
4. Household budgeting
5. Stay-at-home mom (for mothers)
6. Students
7. Sales and Marketing 
8. Projects
9. Administrative 
10. Creative works
11. Writing articles 
12. Topic research 
13. Vlogging 
14. Repurposing on social media 
15. Replying to comments
16. Networking 
17. Blogger outreach
18. Brands outreach
19. Responding to emails 
20. Blog maintenance

These are just 20 ideas in the form of examples.  You can apply the steps to other relevant tasks as well.  General tasks, personal, or blogging, it’s handy for working smarter.

How everyone benefits 

Everyone, be it personally, in corporate jobs, or in other spheres of life gain.  It can support you in various ways.

Personally:

• Chores
• Self-care
• Self-improvement 
• Household budgeting
• Stay-at-home mom (for mothers)
• Students

These are just a few ways to make good use of the technique.  Going through the steps, you apply them in your specific context.  The situation or circumstance can be different, but adapting the Ivy Lee Method productivity to your needs will help.

Household chores, self-care activities, financial budgeting, stay-at-home mom tasks, and studying are personal examples.

Self-care is part of my daily routine.  Although it’s important all day long, my mornings tend to have more of it.  The 6 crucial activities from my morning routine are drinking water, breathing fresh air, freshening up, exercising, meditation, and enjoying a healthy breakfast.

Corporate employees:

• Sales and Marketing 
• Projects
• Administrative 
• Creative works

These examples are rather linked to roles in which anyone can use the technique.  The list is non-exhaustive.  You can adapt the method to many other fields.  Compared to those who are self-employed, employees might have less discretion.

Corporate employees can have some restrictions, as the workplace is likely to be affected by company culture.  For example, there might be a predefined set of rules for doing things.  Teamwork also means others are involved.

When I compare how much discretion I have now as a solopreneur blogger, versus when I had a job, I see a difference.  I not only now set my agenda as I please, but also choose my work processes.  Things were different before, in corporate jobs. 

Bloggers should seize it

With the gains from the Ivy Lee Method of time management, bloggers shouldn’t be left behind.  As I’ve tried and practiced it, I’ll highlight blogging context examples.  It’s a productive boost of bliss.

Content creator examples:

• Writing articles 
• Topic research 
• Vlogging 
• Repurposing on social media 
• Replying to comments
• Networking 
• Blogger outreach
• Brands outreach
• Responding to emails 
• Blog maintenance

As you pick your 6 crucial tasks for the next day, weigh out the importance.  Writing blog posts is likely to be on every blogger’s Ivy Lee Method to-do list, as a core activity.  The rest depends on what you choose additionally.

I publish a new blog post once a week and work on my upcoming article over different days.  I also currently send only 1 email newsletter each week.  On the other hand, I post on social media every workday.   

Your goals are likely to determine what 6 tasks you add to your list daily.  These support your progress.  What you choose to prioritize and focus on, should support your overall strategy.

Conclusion 

The Ivy Lee Method supports working smarter.  Prioritize and focus on the crucial things.  Adapt the technique to your given needs, and slay your goals.

Editor’s Note: This blog article was last updated on 31 October 2025 for better accuracy and comprehensiveness.