To-Do List Formula book cover

To-Do List Formula by Damon Zahariades Summary

To-Do List Formula
Damon Zahariades
3.95 (4357 Reviews)
Productivity
Self Help
Personal Development
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of To-Do List Formula

Transform your chaotic task management with "The To-Do List Formula" - the productivity bible that exposes why traditional to-do lists fail. Discover the "Productivity Paradox" that's sabotaging your efficiency and learn the customizable 3+2 strategy that's helping thousands reclaim their time.

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Key takeaways

1

The Hidden Psychology of Productivity

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Ever noticed how some days your to-do list feels like a loyal companion guiding you to victory, while other days it's more like a nagging reminder of your inadequacies? You're not alone. The startling reality is that 41% of tasks on to-do lists never get completed. This isn't because we're lazy or incompetent-it's because our approach to task management fundamentally misunderstands how our brains work. Traditional to-do lists often become monuments to our perceived failures rather than roadmaps to success. We create these lists with the best intentions, hoping to gain control over our chaotic lives. Instead, we end up paralyzed by options, focusing on quick, easy tasks while important work gathers dust. The very tools meant to organize our lives make us less productive. Why? Because we're treating to-do lists as comprehensive inventories rather than strategic tools for prioritization. When your list becomes a dumping ground for random thoughts and obligations, it triggers your brain's stress response. Faced with an endlessly growing list, your mind seeks escape-either avoiding the list entirely or cherry-picking simple tasks for the dopamine hit of completion. Breaking free from this cycle requires understanding that productivity isn't about doing more-it's about doing what matters. The solution isn't abandoning lists altogether but transforming how we create and use them. By aligning our task management systems with our brain's natural tendencies, we can turn our to-do lists from sources of stress into engines of accomplishment.

2

The Eight Fatal Flaws in Your Current System

3

Finding Your Perfect System Match

4

The Ten-Step Formula for List Mastery

5

Paper vs. Digital: Choosing Your Ideal Medium

6

The Power of Maintenance and Celebration

7

The Ultimate Goal: Meaningful Accomplishment

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To-Do List Formula isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Productivity. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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Break down key ideas from To-Do List Formula into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

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Top 11 Insights from To-Do List Formula in a Nutshell

Distill To-Do List Formula into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

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@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
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12
likes
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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254
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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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@Jaded_Falcon
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@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
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@Moemenn
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star
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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star
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star
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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201
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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37
likes
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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
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