Feeling rebellious? Reverse your To-Do List

Hey mate!

This newsletter is the fourth in a series where I share four essential systems to help you overcome chaos and overwhelm.

We've already explored systems for:

1. Managing day-to-day tasks

2. Setting up your priorities

3. Preparing for a successful week

Today, we're taking a different approach.

I’m aiming to give you some sort of a surprise (or something interesting, yet helpful!)

One that might change(hopefully) the way you think about productivity entirely.

Get ready.

This is a shift your perspective with a system that turns the traditional to-do list on its head.

OK, let’s go.

I love to-do lists.

There’s something about having a structure for the day that feels reassuring.

Structure = Assurance

If you work from home with a kid, or even if you work in an office, you’d understand how much that structure helps you stay on track.

But here’s the reality:

Sometimes everything goes down the drain.

Sometimes, the only thing you can do is say screw it!

You know the feeling—you start your day with a plan, a list of tasks that need to get done, and you’re ready to tackle it.

But then life happens.

A Day When Everything Went Wrong

I had everything planned out.

My weekly planning was complete, my day was scheduled down to the hour, and I knew exactly what I needed to get done.

But then, the morning took a sharp turn.

A critical production issue surfaced—one of those “all hands on deck” situations.

Suddenly, my careful plans were out the window.

You know how it is with urgent client issues—it demands all your attention, immediately.

My plans for the day? Goodbye 👋.

I could’ve easily spiraled into frustration, but I realized my plans were beyond saving.

So, I made a choice: screw it, I’ll use the Reverse To-Do List instead.

A simple but powerful mindset shift that lets you:

• acknowledge your progress

• stay motivated

• and end your day with a sense of accomplishment instead of frustration

The Reverse To-Do List System: What Is It?

WARNING: I don’t use the Reverse To-Do List System every day.

I’m not saying you should live your life without any structure.

In fact, most days, I thrive on a to-do list.

But there are days when I just want to ditch the structure, wing it, and see where the day takes me.

And that’s where the Reverse To-Do List comes in.

You see, you’re constantly bombarded with the same productivity advice: "Always have a to-do list." 

It’s the “holy grail of productivity”.

Well, I’ve used them since high school, and yes, they work—until they don’t.

Sometimes, conventional solutions can’t solve unconventional problems.

So try this: start your day without a list of things you must do, BUT track everything you accomplish as you go.

Every time you complete a task—big or small—you write it down.

Whether it’s finishing a major report or just responding to an email, it counts.

Why? Because it shifts your mindset.

Instead of staring at a growing list of unchecked boxes, feeling like you’re drowning, you’re now looking at a list of achievements.

I’m betting that you’ll feel good about yourself when you look at your achievements. 100%.

I use the Reverse To-Do List on days when I want to let spontaneity take over.

Weekends. Days when I feel tired. Fridays.

(And sometimes when there’s no other choice.)

Doing so will help you appreciate structure even more.

It will let you enjoy those little surprises that life throw at you.

This is a mindset shift—a rebellion against the endless to-do list culture.

It’s for those days when you need a different kind of win, when you want to acknowledge that you’re doing your best, even if the day doesn’t go as planned.

Let’s Get Practical!

Here's how to start rebelling against the typical to-do list routine:

Step 1: Say Bye Bye the To-Do List (for today)

Start your day without a pre-planned list. Focus on doing what comes naturally.

Embrace the uncertainty (this needs to be highlighted).

Don’t worry, tomorrow is still waiting.

Step 2: Record as You Go

Every time you complete a task, write it down—big or small. It helps track your progress in real time.

Step 3: End the Day with Reflection

Review your list of completed tasks at the end of the day.

Celebrate progress, even if the day didn’t go as planned.

Pat yourself for being courageous (and surviving the day!)

Step 4: Use It When Needed

This system isn’t for every day.

Use it when you need a break from structure or want to acknowledge progress in a different way.

It’s A Wrap!

The Reverse To-Do List is simple but powerful.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by what didn’t get done, you get to focus on your wins.

Now that’s a day to look forward to.

Progress, not perfection.

And as we wrap out this series, I hope these four systems have helped you see new ways to tackle chaos and overwhelm.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

Here’s to overcoming chaos, one system at a time!

As always, thank you for reading!
Vikko

P.S

• If you found value in this series, I'd love to hear from you! Just hit reply and say "thank you".

• Feeling invisible? Click here to Learn how to stand out and build trust in 3 days.

• If you’re serious about taking control of your week, I’ve got something for you—click here to get a step-by-step guide to kickstart your weekly planning