Task Shuffler
Task Shuffler
Your Tasks
- Create a presentation for the meetingTime Estimate:min
- Respond to emailsTime Estimate:min
- Plan the weekly scheduleTime Estimate:min
- Research new project ideasTime Estimate:min
- Review team progressTime Estimate:min
- Breaks decision paralysis - Random selection eliminates overthinking about which task to tackle first
- Improves motivation - The element of surprise makes working through your to-do list more engaging
- Reduces procrastination - Takes away the tendency to postpone difficult tasks by making selection random
- Increases productivity - Keeps you moving forward without getting stuck in planning mode
- 1Random Mode
Completely random selection - best when all tasks have similar importance and you want to keep things fresh.
- 2Priority Mode
Weighted random selection favoring high-priority tasks. High priority tasks appear more frequently but still with some variety.
- 3Pomodoro Mode
Prefers tasks that fit in a 25-minute pomodoro session. Perfect for time-boxing your work in focused intervals.
Related Tools
What is a Task Shuffler?
A Task Shuffler is a productivity tool designed to overcome decision paralysis and procrastination by randomly selecting tasks from your to-do list. Rather than spending valuable time deciding which task to tackle next, this tool makes the decision for you, adding an element of surprise and engagement to your workflow.
Our free online Task Shuffler allows you to create and manage your to-do list with priorities and time estimates, then uses different shuffling algorithms to select your next task. You can choose between completely random selection, priority-weighted selection that favors important tasks, or pomodoro-friendly selection that prefers tasks that fit within a 25-minute work session.
By introducing randomness to your task selection process, you'll bypass the tendency to postpone difficult tasks, make your work more engaging through variety, and maintain momentum throughout your day. The Task Shuffler is especially useful when you have multiple tasks of similar importance and struggle to decide where to start.
Benefits of Using a Task Shuffler
Overcome Decision Paralysis
When faced with a long to-do list, many people waste time deciding which task to tackle first. Task shuffling eliminates this decision-making process by randomly selecting your next task, allowing you to start working immediately instead of deliberating. This keeps you in a productive flow state and reduces the mental fatigue that comes from constant decision-making.
Reduce Procrastination
We naturally tend to postpone difficult or unpleasant tasks in favor of easier ones. By introducing random selection, the Task Shuffler prevents you from consistently avoiding certain tasks. When the decision is made for you, you're more likely to tackle tasks you might otherwise put off indefinitely, ensuring balanced progress across all your responsibilities.
Increase Engagement
The element of surprise and variety keeps your workday more interesting. Rather than working through a predetermined sequence of tasks that might become monotonous, task shuffling creates an unpredictable pattern that keeps your brain engaged and alert. This novelty can spark creativity and make even routine tasks feel fresher and more stimulating.
Maintain Momentum
One of the biggest productivity killers is the transition time between tasks, especially when you're unsure what to do next. Task shuffling creates a seamless workflow where you always know your next focus. By eliminating planning paralysis, you maintain momentum throughout your day, completing more tasks and experiencing less dead time between activities.
How to Use the Task Shuffler Effectively
Create Your Task List
Start by adding all your tasks to the task list. You can add them individually or use the bulk add feature for multiple tasks at once. Be specific about what each task entails to make them actionable. Break down large projects into smaller, manageable tasks.
Set Priorities and Time Estimates
For each task, assign a priority level (high, medium, or low) and estimate how long it will take to complete. These details help the shuffler make smarter selections based on your chosen mode. Time estimates are particularly important for the Pomodoro mode.
Choose a Shuffling Mode
Select the shuffling mode that best fits your current needs: Random mode for complete randomness, Priority mode when you want to focus on important tasks, or Pomodoro mode when working in timed intervals. Each mode uses different algorithms to select your next task.
Shuffle and Focus
Hit the "Shuffle Tasks" button to randomly select your next task. Focus completely on this task until it's finished or until you reach a natural stopping point. Resist the urge to switch tasks midway—the system works best when you commit to the selected task.
Mark Complete and Continue
Once you've completed a task, mark it as finished and shuffle again to select your next focus. Continue this process throughout your work session, updating your task list as new items arise or as priorities change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is task shuffling different from a regular to-do list?
Unlike traditional to-do lists where you manually decide which task to do next (often leading to decision paralysis or avoidance of difficult tasks), a task shuffler randomly selects your next task for you. This removes the decision-making burden, reduces procrastination on challenging tasks, adds an element of surprise that increases engagement, and helps maintain productivity momentum. Task shuffling is particularly effective for people who get stuck in planning mode or who tend to cherry-pick easy tasks while postponing important ones.
What's the difference between the three shuffling modes?
Random mode selects any uncompleted task with equal probability, providing maximum variety and unpredictability. Priority mode uses weighted randomization that favors high-priority tasks (60% chance for high priority, 30% for medium, 10% for low), ensuring important tasks get more attention while still maintaining some variety. Pomodoro mode is designed for time-boxing and preferentially selects tasks that fit within a standard 25-minute pomodoro session based on your time estimates. Choose the mode that best matches your current workflow needs and constraints.
What if I get a task that I can't work on right now?
If you get a task that's impossible to work on in your current situation (perhaps due to missing resources, dependencies, or context), simply click "Shuffle Again" to get a new task. However, be cautious about using this option too freely, as it can undermine the purpose of randomization if you keep shuffling until you get a task you prefer. For tasks that are temporarily blocked, consider removing them from your active list or marking them with a different priority until the blocker is resolved.
How do I handle very large tasks in the Task Shuffler?
For very large tasks or projects, it's best to break them down into smaller, more manageable subtasks before adding them to the Task Shuffler. Each subtask should be specific and actionable, ideally taking no more than 1-2 hours to complete. This approach is especially important for the Pomodoro mode, which works best with tasks that can be completed in short time blocks. Breaking down large tasks also gives you a better sense of progress and accomplishment as you mark individual components complete.
Can I save my task list for later use?
Currently, the Task Shuffler doesn't include built-in saving functionality, but your task list will remain in your browser's local storage until you clear your browsing data. For a more permanent solution, we recommend taking a screenshot of your task list or manually copying it to a document or dedicated task management app. In future updates, we plan to add account-based storage that will allow you to save and retrieve multiple task lists across devices.