“I’m controlling, and I want everything orderly, and I need lists. My mind goes a mile a minute. I’m difficult on every single level.”

-Sandra Bullock

It’s amazing how much time we spend trying to get organized and gets our ducks in a row in order to get things done. We search the app store and the internet long and hard for hours, sometimes days, to find something that we can create lists with – because apparently pen and paper just aren’t good enough anymore.

We spend so much time trying to get organized and looking for something to help us save time that it’s almost counterproductive. And I can’t get over the fact that we are in 2016 and there is not one clear-cut winner that has cornered the to-do app market.

Are you with me?

I have tried (no joke) ten different to-do apps over the years and can someone please tell me why there is always one make-or-break feature that is missing, or why we find ourselves saying “if only…“.

Here’s my latest if only: If only there were a to-do app that I can be completely satisfied with.

So, have I found it yet?

I think I’m getting closer. My latest to-do obsession is Doo (sorry, currently only for iOS and Mac).

From the Doo website:

Doo helps you get things done by encouraging small, achievable reminders. Each reminder you create becomes a card. Swipe cards away and power through everything on your to-do list.

So what’s the key to a to-do list that you actually follow through with?

Ease of use

Doo has the first step covered with a simple add button and a few customization steps if needed. Since it’s on your phone or computer, it has to be easy to implement and Doo has that covered. The thing that is different about Doo is that your tasks are displayed on cards. Put them in the order you want to complete them and a simple swipe up (or press of a button) to complete a task or swipe down to snooze. You can default your snooze to 15 minutes, 1 hour or tomorrow – or hold the button to customize a certain task.

Ability to have short, concise lists

You know what’s funny about me and my lists? I put everything on there that I need to get done, and when I look at it later, I don’t actually want to do any of it. The reason Doo works for me is that I only see 1 thing at a time. Do the card and complete it or put it off and snooze it.

Customization options

Some people use to-do apps just as they would use pen and paper. They want the simplicity of just adding what they need to do and checking it off when done. Others want to customize by adding due dates, alarms, repeating tasks, etc. With Doo, you can customize it how you want – easy and simple, or with a few more options. Now, I will point out that this doesn’t give you every option under the sun, so if you want all of the bells and whistles then this won’t be the one for you.

Accessibility

There’s an app for that whether you have an iPhone, iPad or Mac. Choose your app, one or all. They sync. My only qualm is that I have to pay twice if I want it on my desktop and my phone.

To be honest, I’m a sucker for good looks and functionality. Most of the time, I’ll suffer through a missing feature if it meets 90% of my needs, but at the end of the day, a to-do list is just that. A list of things that you have to do. It only works if you use it, so it doesn’t matter how fancy-pants your tools are, if you don’t check off your tasks, the list won’t work for you. Doo is in the Apple iTunes store and the Mac app store for $3.99.

What are your favorite to-do list apps? There are a lot and I know you’ve tried almost all of them! Let me know in the comments!