How to Use the 4 D's to Manage Your To-Do-List
DecisionSkills - DecisionSkills
A short explainer on using do, defer, delegate and delete to work through a to-do list. Use it to make a clear decision about each task rather than carrying everything forward.
Key takeaways
- Decide what happens to each task instead of rewriting the list.
- Schedule important tasks you cannot do right now.
- Delegate with clear expectations and drop low-value work.
Reflect on it
- Which tasks on my list have been carried forward for too long?
- What one task could I delegate or delete today?
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The 4 Ds are a quick way to decide what to do with every task on your list. This short video from DecisionSkills shows how to apply them.
Why it is worth watching
A long to-do list can feel overwhelming. The 4 Ds help you make a decision about each item instead of carrying everything forward.
The key points
- Do: if it is important and quick, do it now.
- Defer: if it is important but not urgent, schedule it for later.
- Delegate: if someone else can do it, hand it over with clear expectations.
- Delete: if it adds little value, drop it.
- Making a clear decision about each task reduces mental clutter.
Where to go next
Read our guide to the 4 Ds of time management and watch the Eisenhower Matrix explained in 2 minutes.
Turn it into CPD
Watch the video, then answer the reflection questions under it and log it to your free Passport.
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Sign in to save what you've read - we'll create a free CPD log for you.