Are you someone who likes to keep your life as organized as possible? I’m talking Google Calendar, paper planners, tasks and items loaded into digital files and onto notes all over your home. If there’s capacity on your fridge, there is a calendar for the household. You may even enjoy writing the dinner menu on your chalkboard every once in a while. If this sounds like you at all, then Hive’s personal to-do list option is the feature of your dreams.
It’s also perfect for those of you that are less organized. The ones who seem to always be late to the party, even when people give you an earlier start time. Maybe you try to use sticky notes, but they end up scattered in all directions and in all the wrong places. (Was your wifi password on the fridge, or your social security information?) If you’re forgetful or worry that you might not have it all together, Hive is here for you.
We all want to feel like we have our stuff together. We all want to have at least some semblance of a plan, or action items to work off of. Hive’s personal to-do list feature exists to help alleviate overwhelm and keep on top of your life–no matter where you are.
Create legendary to-do lists
Reduce stress
Writing to-do lists can drastically reduce stress and overwhelm. It can help you get everything that is taking up space in your head down on paper. This makes it easily trackable and allows you to relax and not have to remember so many things so diligently. It can also help you feel like you have an understanding of – and a small amount of control over –any given situation. Writing things out can often help you understand and dissect the thoughts in your head, which is really helpful for positive mental health and awareness.
How to draft a to-do item
Once you have a task or action item in mind, go to “My Actions” in the left-hand column of your Hive app. In the secondary menu on the left side (directly underneath the “What needs to be done?” bar where you can create a new workflow item), select “To-do”. If your “To-do” list is completely empty, a notification will appear in the middle of your screen that indicates that.
You can begin your list by clicking the blue button that reads “New action”. If this item belongs to a specific project, you can select the project it is associated with at the top of the pop-up window. Next to the first checkmark, select and type the title of this list item. If you have any notes or specifics on the project, you can add a description and additional subactions or lists to help accomplish this goal or push it through the workflow.
If you want to specify when the to-do item is due or to be performed, track when it was taken care of, or ensure it appears on your calendar regularly, you can choose those options from the “Dates” line. You can also indicate what stage the project is at, like whether the project is in-progress or complete and if it’s in production or ready for feedback.
Be sure to label your to-do item with any tags your team or company has indicated for it. A great example of a label is to indicate what department the project is being completed for. Other options to consider would be to indicate client information, demographic information, and other categorical factors.
You can then attach any files or documents associated with the project, and there is a place for running comments underneath. You can even schedule a meeting with coworkers regarding the task if need be at the bottom!
Using the app to maintain your household
If you’re at an age where you can rent, own, or coordinate your own home, we highly recommend keeping several lists. Household chores are activities that normally exist alongside a running checklist so that people keep them top of mind. Instead of cluttering your refrigerator space with wonkily written words, why not create a to-do list in Hive catered to your weekly and monthly upkeep? This way, you never miss another plant watering, dusting, family member pickup, vacuum session, or litter box cleaning again. The best part? You can easily create separate lists for each member of your family or community and delegate tasks via the app.
If you’re lucky enough to own or rent a space, keeping a yearly home maintenance checklist could help keep your environment in tip-top shape. Yearly chores like reversing ceiling fan flow to match the season, cleaning the gutters, and turning on sprinklers are sometimes difficult to keep track of. (How many people have trouble remembering to get their vehicles tagged every 1-2 years?) These lists can also help you keep track of appointments and companies you work with, so you have contacts and reference information for if and when things go haywire. (Plus, that guy who fixed the air conditioning two years ago was really friendly!)
Long-term home improvement projects deserve their own lists and sub-lists as well. Got your eye on a dream kitchen remodel? How about a fresh coat of exterior paint or a garden design project? Itemize expenses and keep lists of financial goals in the lead-up to the project. Keep track of building materials, planning meetings, recommended contractors, and design and color ideas all in one, easy-to-use, professional platform.
Create separate lists
Not every action item can operate off of the same list. Today, you may accomplish the personal goals of working before you make breakfast or paying your car insurance. Tomorrow, you may focus only on work or a home improvement project. It may be appealing to keep everything on one list, but with Hive, it’s all on the same platform and easily accessible and searchable.
Being able to prioritize tasks and group lists inside other lists can really simplify the project. It can help you track your actions for duplication and reporting, and make everything feel actionable and less overwhelming. And–after all–isn’t that often the reason we make a list in the first place?
