Here is another valuable Management Tip of the Day from Harvard Business Review. To sign up for a free subscription to any/all HBR newsletters, please click here.

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A to-do list is only useful if you cross things off as often as you add tasks on.

If something’s been on your list for more than three days, do one of the following:

• Do it immediately. It may take you less time than you think.

• Schedule it. Find a time slot on your calendar when you can get the task done. If it’s important enough to have on your list, then commit to doing it at a specific time and day.

• Let it die. If you’re not willing to do something immediately or schedule it for later, you won’t ever do it. Accept that it’s not really a priority and take it off your list.

Today’s Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done.

To check out that book and join the discussion, please click here.

Also, you may wish to check out Management Tips from Harvard Business Review by clicking here.