Bill Vossler on work lists

Like many other people, I often make a "to do" list. Bill Vossler, whose excellent advice I commented on earlier this year, has a rigid but highly effective approach to such lists:

       Start with number one on your list. Get started, get it done, and cross it off or remove it from your list. Then you're ready to go after number two. Remember, no deviating, and no skipping around.

He explains five key points in this short article.

When "both" isn't needed

The word both is often used in situations where it adds neither clarity nor elegance. For instance:

Both my wife and I enjoy cycling.
 
The chef tasted both the main course and the dessert before sending them to the customers.
 
There's no need to use both in the sentences above because the two items have been identified. Both is only required when you don't otherwise make it clear you're referring to two people, two objects etc.