How to Use ClickUp for the Ivy Lee Method

The Ivy Lee Method is a simple productivity framework you can implement in ClickUp to focus on the right work every day, reduce decision fatigue, and consistently complete your most important tasks.

This how-to guide walks you through setting up the Ivy Lee workflow step-by-step so you can turn a classic productivity system into a modern, trackable routine.

What Is the Ivy Lee Method?

The Ivy Lee Method is a daily planning routine built around six key rules:

At the end of each workday, write down the six most important tasks you must accomplish tomorrow.
Order those six tasks by true priority, from most to least important.
When you start your workday, focus only on the first task until it is finished.
Move to the next task, then the next, working in order without multitasking.
At the end of the day, move any unfinished tasks to your list of six for tomorrow.
Repeat this process every workday.

The power of the system comes from its limits: only six tasks, clearly ranked, with deep focus on one item at a time.

Why Use ClickUp for the Ivy Lee Method?

Using ClickUp for the Ivy Lee Method turns a simple list into an organized, trackable workflow. Instead of relying on paper or scattered notes, you can manage your six tasks in a central, searchable workspace.

With ClickUp, you can:

Create recurring daily lists that follow the Ivy Lee process.
Attach files, notes, and comments to each task.
Assign tasks to teammates and track ownership.
Use views and filters to focus on today’s six items.
Analyze your productivity with statuses, fields, and reporting.

Below is a step-by-step walkthrough to build a clean Ivy Lee system inside ClickUp.

Step 1: Create a Dedicated ClickUp Space

Start by giving the Ivy Lee Method its own home in ClickUp so it does not compete with unrelated work.

Create a new Space named something like “Ivy Lee Daily Focus” or “Daily Six.”
Within this Space, create a Folder called “Daily Plans.”
Inside the Folder, create a List for each week or month (for example, “February Daily Plans”).

This simple structure keeps your Ivy Lee tasks organized by date without cluttering other project spaces.

Step 2: Build a ClickUp Task Template for Your Daily Six

Instead of manually rebuilding the same layout every day, set up a reusable task template in ClickUp.

In your “Daily Plans” List, create a new task named “Daily Ivy Lee Plan – Template.”
Add the following to the task description:
- A heading: “Today’s Six Most Important Tasks”
- A numbered list from 1 to 6 where you will fill in your tasks each day
Optionally, add subtasks named “Task 1” through “Task 6” so you can track progress individually.
Save this task as a template in ClickUp so you can quickly create a new copy for each day.

With a template in place, you can spin up a new daily planning task in seconds.

Step 3: Set Up Priority and Statuses in ClickUp

To reflect the Ivy Lee Method inside ClickUp, use priorities and simple statuses.

Configure ClickUp Statuses for the Ivy Lee Flow

In your List settings, customize statuses to mirror the method:

To Do – Tasks that are part of your six for the day.
In Progress – The single task you are currently working on.
Done – Completed tasks.

These three statuses keep your workflow clean and aligned with the one-task-at-a-time rule.

Use ClickUp Priorities for Task Ranking

The Ivy Lee Method requires strict prioritization. In ClickUp, you can:

Mark the first task as Urgent or High priority.
Use High, Normal, and Low for tasks 2 through 6.
Sort tasks by priority in your view so the order stays visible.

This visual hierarchy reinforces the discipline of working in order instead of jumping to easier tasks.

Step 4: Plan Tomorrow in ClickUp at the End of Each Day

The heart of the Ivy Lee Method is planning tomorrow before you finish today. Use your ClickUp template to make this step consistent.

At the end of your workday, create a new task from your “Daily Ivy Lee Plan – Template.” Name it with tomorrow’s date, for example, “Daily Six – March 2.”
In the description or subtasks, list your six most important tasks for tomorrow, in strict order of importance.
Assign each task or subtask to yourself (or the appropriate teammate) and set due dates for tomorrow.
Apply priorities so you can visually confirm that item #1 is truly the most important.

Close ClickUp knowing tomorrow’s plan is ready, which reduces anxiety and decision fatigue when you log in again.

Step 5: Execute Your Daily Six in ClickUp

When your next workday begins, open ClickUp and go directly to your daily plan.

Open the “Daily Six” task for today.
Find task #1, move it to In Progress, and focus solely on it until it is complete.
Mark it as Done and then move to task #2, repeating the same process.
Continue down the list, always limiting yourself to one active Ivy Lee task at a time.

If you do not finish all six tasks, move the incomplete ones to tomorrow’s list, then re-evaluate the order to maintain true priority.

Step 6: Optimize Your ClickUp Views for Focus

To stay aligned with the Ivy Lee Method, configure views in ClickUp that highlight today’s six tasks and hide distractions.

Create a “Today’s Six” ClickUp View

Within your “Daily Plans” List, add a view specifically for daily focus:

Filter by assignee = you.
Filter by due date = today.
Sort by priority and then by task number (if you use a custom field or naming convention).
Show only the simple statuses discussed earlier.

This view acts as your real-time control center for the Ivy Lee Method in ClickUp.

Use ClickUp Custom Fields (Optional)

For extra clarity, you can add a custom number field called “Ivy Lee Order” and assign values from 1 to 6. Then sort by that field to guarantee the list always reflects your chosen order.

Step 7: Review and Improve Your System in ClickUp

Over time, you can review your completed daily plans in ClickUp to understand patterns in your productivity.

Look back at past “Daily Six” tasks to see which types of work you consistently finish.
Identify tasks that are frequently rolled over and ask whether they should be delegated, broken down, or removed.
Adjust your priorities, statuses, or fields in ClickUp so the process stays frictionless.

This simple reflection loop helps you refine how you use ClickUp with the Ivy Lee Method so it fits your workload and team culture.

Additional Resources on ClickUp and the Ivy Lee Method

To see a detailed discussion of the Ivy Lee Method and how it supports focused work, explore the original guide on the ClickUp blog here: Ivy Lee Method guide.

If you want expert help configuring productivity systems, automations, and advanced workflows around ClickUp in your organization, visit Consultevo for consulting and implementation support.

Putting the Ivy Lee Method into Practice with ClickUp

By combining the Ivy Lee Method with ClickUp, you get the best of both worlds: a proven, minimalist productivity framework and a flexible, feature-rich work management platform.

Set up your dedicated Space, create a reusable daily template, enforce clear priorities, and use focused views. Then repeat the cycle every day. Over time, this simple routine can help you reliably complete what matters most and prevent your most important work from getting lost in the noise.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.

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