aba close icon

Mike Irving
Elite Performance Business Coach

  • Predictor Profiles
  • About Us
  • Our Approach
  • Our Core Values
  • Free Online Training
  • Client Success
  • Media
  • Blog
  • Contact
Advanced Business Abilities Leadership and Sales Coach
  • Elite Business Coaching
  • Executive Sales Training
  • Recruiting Solutions
    • Predictor Profiles
    • About Us
    • Our Approach
    • Our Core Values
    • Free Online Training
    • Client Success
    • Media
    • Blog
    • Contact
Blog
/

Why the “To Do” list doesn’t work (and what can be done about it)

Why the “To Do” list doesn’t work (and what can be done about it)

Mike Irving

Updated on April 6, 2026

The “To do” list is all the rage these days.  Just like Time Management, which is a total lie.

If you are a ‘To-Do list” person, just follow through the thought process with me.

Have a look at one of your lists now.  If you call it a ‘To-Do list”, then pick one thing off the list and allow yourself to look at the picture you can see of that item.

Before you read any further, take the time to actually do that.

If you haven’t done it yet, don’t bother reading any further… this isn’t for you.

For a huge percentage of the population, when you picture an item on a ‘To Do list”, you will see a picture of yourself standing in front of that task, or you will see a picture of yourself at the start of the task.  We’ll come back to this in a minute.

Now, change the name of your list.  I recommend called it a ‘To Be Done’ list.  Let’s see what happens.

Pick the same item as above, and recognise that it is now on a ‘To Be Done’ list.

Explore more:  How an unintended tone creates upsets

In the comments section below just type in the first thing you see –  what seems different to you when you look at this item on a ‘To Be Done’ list?

Do that before you read on… I will be checking the comments and I’m keen to read about your experience.

If you are like most of my clients, the difference is that you will see a picture of what this task will look like when it’s Done.

You’ll be more able to see the requirements for you to complete the task – what time will it take, what resources are required, what tasks are to be delegated, etc.

It’s what I call The Power of Done.  The more you think about what is to be Done, the more you will get done.

If you’ve found this helpful, let me know what it did for you and share it.

Mike Irving
Mike Irving
Share this article
Content Overview

Transform your
skills in 12 weeks!

CLICK TO DISCOVER HOW
Never miss
an important tip

Register for the summary newsletter

Success Stories
Amy Bliefnick
Founder - 511 West

Tripled her Cashflow and Paid Down Debt

Amanda Kerr
Founder - 511 West

Increased Sales 400% in 3 Months

VIEW ALL SUCCESS STORIES
Recent Posts

Guide to the Most Effective Approaches to Executive Coaching

Beyond Burnout: Tools for Executive Recovery and Resilience

Leadership Coach Australia: What Leadership Coaching Actually Changes

CEO Coaching Australia: The Problems That Come With the Role

Sales Coach Australia: What’s Actually Stopping Your Sales Results

How to Reduce Employee Burnout: A Leader’s Guide to Fixing the Real Causes

Managing Employee Burnout: What Most Managers Miss

Suggested reads


Leadership Coach Australia: What Leadership Coaching Actually Changes
Coaching

Leadership Coach Australia: What Leadership Coaching Actually Changes

READ MORE Arrow icon
CEO Coaching Australia: The Problems That Come With the Role
Coaching

CEO Coaching Australia: The Problems That Come With the Role

READ MORE Arrow icon
Sales Coach Australia: What’s Actually Stopping Your Sales Results
Coaching

Sales Coach Australia: What’s Actually Stopping Your Sales Results

READ MORE Arrow icon
ABA executive business coach logo
Advanced Business Abilities
Room 1203, 12 F, Tower 3
China Hong Kong City, 33
Canton Road, Tsimshatsui
© Copyright 2026. Advanced Business Abilities. All Rights Reserved.
  • Coaching Services
    • How to Refer People To ABA
    • Business Growth Consultant
    • Business Growth Advisor
    • Business Networking Coach
    • Business Coach Australia
    • Executive Presence Coaching
  • 12 Week Transformation
  • Blog
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact Us
Website strategy, creativity & development by JMarketing Logo
X