To do lists

[terry1156]

One of my New Year's resolutions was to keep a "to do" list for each day. The list is very basic with a lot of normal aactivities everyone takes for granted. Like I have "clean the cat box" and "do the dishes" on my daily list. I get too busy sometimes and those things get frogatten from time to time. With my new list I haven't missed a day so far this year with them.

I also have my easy exercise routine on my list to do 5 times. It takes about 3 minutes to do each time. It is the first time I have kept to an exercise routing for more than a week in my life. I think the reason I can is that it is not a difficult routine and I don't pressure myself to do more than the basics (if I feel like it, sometimes I do a bit more, but only if I feel like it.)

The list makes me much more productive. When I get to those points in the day where I think "what do I have to do?" I already know since I have it written down. It has been one of the best New Year's resolutions I have ever made.

[Momtwo]

Good for you! I found lists to be great motivators. I make out my to do list the night before and put it in my Franklin Planner. That way I know what I have to do the next day. The exercise idea is a fantastic one that I think I am gonna do.

[PrincessPerky]

congratulations on keeping the excercise!

The list idea worked very well for me last year when I got a cat.

She was an adoption from a former neighbour who died. The relevance is that I'm asthmatic and generally allergic to cats.

Up till then my house cleaning was haphazard and very grudging. My doctor told me I ought to find another home for the cat before I became too attached, but after a few days it was already too late.

I thought if I could only impose a rigorous cleaning routine, plus a few extras like an air filter, I might be okay. So I drew up a list of "must do" items like clean the air filter and do the vacuuming and dusting.

It worked better than I expected. Having a very limited number of things was far less intimidating than the idea of cleaning "the whole house and everything in it", and ticking off the items was quite satisfying. Eventually I added items, keeping some as optional and making some mandatory.

Another benefit became apparent: Once I had everything written down, it became clear that doing things in a certain order would be more efficient. For instance, the air filter has to be dry before the vacuuming starts (so I can have the added benefit of filtering the stirred-up dust), so I put a few other tasks in between those two steps; the kitchen floor has to be dry to sweep, so there's no point doing that after I've splashed water on it while washing things in the sink, and so on.

At first it seemed a little odd writing down such "obvious" chores, but I reminded myself that even airline pilots - with all their training and skill - have checklists before takeoff.

As far as the psychology is concerned: I think it has to do with putting a pseudo "other" in charge of affairs. The list is like a "boss" who dictates what must be done. You still have freedom of choice - you can after all ignore the list, but once it's written down it has an existence independent of your idle thoughts and good intentions.



John.

[sydney]

Well done! I write out a to-do list each day and have done so for a long time, I find it really helpful with day to day things.

[seaar2000]

I'd be lost without my to do list. I have been a list person for a long time. I have bought planners for the last seven years and it is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I write down things I have to do, doctors appts., ect.,.

[amomof4]

I need to start a to do list. I think I'm starting to get "old timers" disease. I am so forgetful, that if I don't write it down, I forget. I even told my husband he is going to have to start wearing a name tag so I can remember his name. lol

[seaar2000]

amomof4 Don't feel bad! Sometimes I'll make a list before I go to the grocery store and when I get to the grocery store I left the list at home!

[amomof4]

That was too funny. I'm still giggling!

[nate]

Originally Posted by seaar2000

amomof4 Don't feel bad! Sometimes I'll make a list before I go to the grocery store and when I get to the grocery store I left the list at home!

I made a list the other day, went to the grocery store, had the list in my pocket, and guess what...? I forgot to look at it until i got home and realized i had forgot something.

You need to make a note to look at the list.

Although, if you then forget to look at the note ....

[PrincessPerky]

I always have a list of stuff to do, though I never look at it untill I get a call like 'did you forget about x apointment'.

I do shop with a list and I do almost always check it before I leave the store, not when I first get in, that would make to much sense. Oh no, it is the last thing I do before checking out, or what really annoys the checkout people is when I do it while checking out and then have to send my poor hubby rushing off to find something before the cart is empty. Of coruse the list doesn't help when I forgot to put stuff on the list.