To-do later items include anything you don’t need to do right away, or can’t accomplish in the near term.

There are many tasks that don’t require immediate attention. Capturing them helps you remember to work on them in a timely manner. When you put items on a “to-do later” list, it helps you to clear out future space and time so that you’re not rushed to complete important tasks.

To-do later items can be broken down into near-term and long-term tasks.

Near term items are those items to be done within a week. You can put them in a place where they become “to-do now” items over the next several days. Long-term items can be scheduled by date. Put them on your calendar over time to make sure you meet your deadlines.

To-do later items can include simple or complex tasks.

For complex tasks, you will need to plan adequate time for completion. For simple tasks, you might want to consider bunching them together to be more efficient. For example, you can schedule time to do less important emails at a later date.

Apply the Smead Organomics principles for “To-Do Later” items.

You can put “To-Do Later” items to work for you, if you follow these simple steps:

Separate.

Decide which of your “To-Do” items belong on the “Later” list. If you don’t need to work on it today, it’s a “To-Do Later” item.

Schedule.

Choose specific dates on which “Later” items should become “Now” items and put them onto your calendar - immediately.

Follow up.

Check your calendar often. Add any scheduled tasks to your To-Do Now list. Be sure to follow up on both your own tasks and those you have delegated to others.

Remember these principles as you plan your time. It’s easier to relax when you know nothing’s falling through the cracks.