Eight-country study ranks Canada first for to-do list use, but last for efficiently completing daily tasks

MISSISSAUGA - A new survey reveals people around the world are dependent on to-do lists to get them through their day, with Canadians the most prevalent users of this organizational method. The Microsoft-commissioned Kelton Research survey polled thousands of respondents in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Germany, Spain and Italy, and shows Canadians rely on daily to-do lists the most with nearly four out of five (78%) counting on them for daily direction. Despite this tendency for organization, the survey shows Canadians are among the worst procrastinators and experience frustration with their lists of daily tasks.

According to the survey, Canadians leave some items on their to-do lists for an average of 26 days before completing them. This problem was evident in results from all countries surveyed with Canada and the U.K. sharing the top spot. Italy was the most efficient country with respondents reporting that they leave tasks on their to-do list no more than an average of 14 days. Compared with the U.S., Canadians share similar outlooks on to-do lists but are not as productive as their neighbours to the south. Fewer Canadians (77%) than U.S. residents (84%) complete more than half of their tasks in an average week.

Ellen Damaschino, certified professional organizer and creator of organization consultancy Neat, assessed the global importance of to-do lists and believes people can start checking off more items on their to-do lists by using electronic rather than paper lists. With nearly 49 per cent of Canadians saying they spend an average of one hour per week making, rewriting, consulting and checking off items on their to-do lists, mobile devices running Windows Mobile(R) software help provide Canadians with the flexibility to choose the device that best suits their needs as well as an ideal solution for making quick edits on the go.

"It's no secret that people all over the world are extremely busy and often stressed out from juggling multiple aspects of their lives," said Damaschino. "They're looking for easy to use tools that can help them regain control and get them through their day. I want to give people a new perspective on every day organization and show them some innovative methods for accomplishing this in their daily routine."

The survey indicates that four in 10 (40%) Canadians feel frustrated with simply finding the time to get everything done on their lists and a similar number of respondents (41%) say accomplishing all of the tasks on their lists has frustrated them. Prioritizing tasks is an exasperating experience as well for nearly a quarter (24%) of Canada and nearly all (96%) of those who keep a to-do list admit they have neglected an important task because they've forgotten to put it on their list.

"Windows Mobile software helps people make the most of their time by providing a choice of devices that allow them to check e-mail, manage calendars and contacts, edit documents, surf the Web and enjoy entertainment while on the go," said Alec Taylor, director, Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft Canada Co. "The variety of software available for the wide range of Windows Mobile-based devices helps turn a smartphone into a companion for all aspects of life, including to-do lists, and can introduce greater flexibility into the management of daily tasks."

In addition to the stats above, the survey found that: <<

- Canadians are keeping lots of different lists. Among the nearly half (47%) who keep multiple lists, the most popular are for tasks that revolve around their household (66%), their personal lives (65%), and their jobs (61%).

- Two in five (40%) also keep lists of new ideas they want to pursue, and nearly a quarter (24%) use lists to track personal goals and aspirations.

- When it comes to their daily to-do lists, nearly nine in 10 (87%) Canadians simply start with the most important item on the list.

- Canadians are more likely to start with the hardest item on their list before the easiest item (54% vs. 46%), but they're split on whether to play now or play later. About half (51%) address the least enjoyable item first, while the rest (49%) start with the most enjoyable item.

- Canadian men and women are divided on the best way to manage their many tasks. Among those who keep multiple to-do lists, men are much more likely to use these lists for long-term goals. Women, on the other hand, focus their list-making on things that need to be done immediately.