Simply download or save, fill out, and color!

How to Use:

1. Download/save the above image and print off a copy sized to fit one sheet of paper.
2. Use this page in lieu of making a to-do list.
3. Place small accomplishable tasks in each square.
4. As you complete each square, color it over with a highlighter.

Grid Square To-Do List

To-do lists can get over-filled and tedious to complete. If you find yourself getting up each day and making an extensive to-do list that stresses you more than it helps…then perhaps gamifying your to-do list can help.

For creatives, ADHD folks, and other types of personalities (you know who you are) getting a long list of tasks done each day can be overwhelming. To the point of getting little done at all. For me, being ADHD (and likely undiagnosed neurodivergent) it helps me to create a little game of my tasks.

Basically—It helps to reward myself for completing small tasks. 

Focusing on one thing at a time prevents overwhelm and getting stuck in this state of non-productive stressful cyclic thinking.

How I Got My Tasks in Order

I recently began to ignore my calendars and Trello boards and to-do lists (for my small-detail planning) in lieu of something a little more colorful.

First: I print off a grid-square sheet like the one pictured above. (I actually got started by drawing it out. But since drawing grid squares each morning took up too much time, I went searching for a printable grid square sheet. But if you are inspired to draw it yourself—GO FOR IT!)

Second: What goes in each square? Small tasks that don’t take a long time to complete. I write each task in a different color using a pile of lovely and colorful gel pens. This creates something colorful that looks a bit like a BINGO sheet.

Third: As my day goes on, it really doesn’t matter what order I complete each task. This allows my brain the free will to wander through the tasks, completing each as my mood dictates the order. I put my work order tasks in completable bites, my marketing tasks, communications tasks, and sprinkle in some fun things too—like “take a walk” or “enjoy watching a bird at the feeder” or “send a nice text to a friend.” Don’t forget household tasks, as well…like that load of laundry you want to get done today or taking the donations off to a drop-off bin.

The fun part: This is the part that makes my silly heart happy. I color over a completed task square with a highlighter. Sometimes I use all one highlighter for a day and other days I use a bunch of different colors.

It’s:

• Visual.
• Colorful.
• Done.

And I’m:

• Pruductive.
• Accomplished.
• Satisfied.

Whatever works for you and makes you more productive; do that.

Gamify Your Tasks

You may find another way to gamify your daily tasks. Playing this to-do-BINGO-ish game keeps me excited about completing smaller tasks. Coloring in the squares is enough reward for me.

But you may choose a different kind of reward system. Basically, reward yourself in smaller increments and you’ll get far more accomplished throughout your day.

Examples of Rewards

• Taking a 5-minute break.
• Listening to music for a few minutes.
• Stickers or other trinkets you love.
• Reading for fun.
• Playing a game on your phone.
• Checking social media.
• Spending time outdoors.
• Resting.

Thanks to You

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Christina M Ward
Fiddleheads & Floss Writing Services