I'm a big believer in the to-do list. I usually sit down to make one when I get into work and put everything on it: priorities for that day, tasks that could help me move bigger projects forward, ...

Before I started my own company, I worked as a software developer for a New York media company. I had a colleague—let’s call him Neil—who was a brilliant designer. But he was also a perfectionist.

You'll be more productive if you can see what you need to do, and when you need to do it. Lindsey Ellefson is Lifehacker’s Features Editor. She currently covers study and productivity hacks, as well ...