I talked a bit yesterday about making lists, and I realized
I could easily write an entire post on my love of list making. I don’t remember why I started making lists
so many years ago, but I did, and I am thankful for that practice now.
I could easily write an entire post on my love of list making. I don’t remember why I started making lists
so many years ago, but I did, and I am thankful for that practice now.
Lists can be used for good and for bad. You wouldn’t think that of something as
simple as a list, but it is the truth, and I will explain it to you today.
simple as a list, but it is the truth, and I will explain it to you today.
You see, for me, lists have always been a way for me to get
information out of my head. I constantly
have ideas and tasks running through my head, as I’m sure most of you do, but I
dwell on them, and ruminate over them constantly until I write them down. Then, once I have written them down, I am
able to move on. Not always, but for the
most part. This can be a good thing, for
example at night when I am trying to go to sleep. But, it can also be a bad thing, because I
will often write things down and then promptly forget about them…or even worse
lose my list!
information out of my head. I constantly
have ideas and tasks running through my head, as I’m sure most of you do, but I
dwell on them, and ruminate over them constantly until I write them down. Then, once I have written them down, I am
able to move on. Not always, but for the
most part. This can be a good thing, for
example at night when I am trying to go to sleep. But, it can also be a bad thing, because I
will often write things down and then promptly forget about them…or even worse
lose my list!
I said yesterday that I am much more ambitious when I write
my to-do lists first thing in the morning.
my to-do lists first thing in the morning.
This is where lists can be a bad thing. If I am over-ambitious with my lists, I can
easily feel defeated at the end of the day when I inevitably do not finish the
list. When I look at my list at the end
of the day I want to be encouraged, not discouraged.
easily feel defeated at the end of the day when I inevitably do not finish the
list. When I look at my list at the end
of the day I want to be encouraged, not discouraged.
Whereas when I write my list the night before, it is easy to
make the list short because I am at the end of the day and I know what I
accomplished.
make the list short because I am at the end of the day and I know what I
accomplished.
Here is the kicker, I am able to add things to the list
throughout the day, not in an “oh crap, I forgot I need to do this” kind of
way, but in an “oh, I have more time” kind of way.
throughout the day, not in an “oh crap, I forgot I need to do this” kind of
way, but in an “oh, I have more time” kind of way.
The lists end up being an encouragement and a planning tool,
allowing me to see what I am able to accomplish in a day, and not defeating me
instead.
allowing me to see what I am able to accomplish in a day, and not defeating me
instead.
I am also not beyond adding tasks that I have already
completed, so I have an accurate reflection of my day at the end of the day.
completed, so I have an accurate reflection of my day at the end of the day.
Often, when I am overwhelmed, I feel like I am accomplishing
nothing during the day, discounting
homeschooling the kids, making meals and snacks for everyone, and getting the
laundry done. If it is a particularly
rough season, and this is all I get done in a day, I should be happy, instead
of discouraged.
I think a change of thinking is in order! In overwhelming times, it definitely makes sense to celebrate the small things.
nothing during the day, discounting
homeschooling the kids, making meals and snacks for everyone, and getting the
laundry done. If it is a particularly
rough season, and this is all I get done in a day, I should be happy, instead
of discouraged.
I think a change of thinking is in order! In overwhelming times, it definitely makes sense to celebrate the small things.
Are you a list
maker? Do you use lists as encouragement
on what you are able to accomplish throughout the day?
maker? Do you use lists as encouragement
on what you are able to accomplish throughout the day?
oh am i a list maker! I have so many it is ridiculous! love that feeling of getting things done! aha
ah, nothing better than crossing off items on a to-do list! seriously, it's the best! great tips in here, need to get better w/ mine.
I am definitely a list maker. Every morning. I used to fall into that "defeated by over-ambition" trap too, but over the years, I've gotten better at giving myself some grace, and keep more of a running list now than a "must complete by EOD" list.
YES!!!!!!! I love having a list because I just feel like I'll forget everything otherwise. I'm in this season of life where I'm constantly on the go for one thing or another and can't imagine not having a calendar or running list to go off of! Thanks for the encouragement!
I've been using my iPhone calendar a lot these days. But when it comes to grocery shopping, I also text myself or type a note before venturing out.
Suzanne | MaQ + Suz
http://www.suzannespiegoski.com
I am definitely a list maker. I make too many lists sometimes that I have them everywhere.
I have always loved making lists, too! Making lists help me stay more organized and on track.
I absolutely love to make lists! Different colors also help me out. You have a great point about adding throughout the day instead of all at once.
Making lists is one of the best ways that I can keep my thoughts together. I also agree that you can overwhelm yourself if you get overly ambitious.
To do list was so important for me I don't know what I am doing If I don't have a list and it makes my life easier
I don't always make lists, but there's a time that I really do need to make a list, and put the most priority what to do on the list. I like your quote though, "List as a tool instead of a barrier".
I love making lists. I make them every day. I think they allow my day to be organized and less stressful and I make sure everything gets done!!!!
I am a HUGE list person. I feel lost without making a list every day. Especially because I just started a new part time job and now I'm juggling that and my blog. I only get stuff done if I write it all out.
I love making lists, but lately I have been too busy to even make the lists! Ugh…time for a reset!
I make lists just to cross things off. I am at a point in my life that I cannot function without a list!
Omg I'm list obsessed!!! I wouldn't be able to tackle my days without all of my list!
To do lists are so helpful. They really make my day so much easier.
I love lists because it keeps me on track. It's definitely something that I rely on everyday especially when there are many things to accomplish. I make sure I have a list of the tasks with everything the most important ones on top!
I also love to make lists. It helps me accomplish a lot of things. Making a super long list, though can get overwhelming.
Oh my gosh. I love lists. It's definitely important to use them to help you though. In the wrong way, they can certainly be overwhelming. Great post!
I'm a list maker, but then I look at the lists and get overwhelmed by what's on them, then I procrastinate. It's a vicious cycle. :-/ I'm looking forward to following this series though, I'm looking to learn some ways to overcome overwhelm.
I'm a huge list maker. I keep a running list and then prioritize each day. I like to check off things from my running list and I love to show that I accomplished everything on my to-do list!
I feel that I can't function anymore without lists! I will add in some tasks that I know are easy to acheive just to make myself feel better at times! LOL !
I am a huge list maker–usually getting everything down on paper makes me feel better. I also LOVE the feeling I get when I cross something off my list….ahhhh!
I make lists and T charts to help keep me on track. I like to make them before bed and clear my mind. It helps so much!
I am ALL about the lists. I need them, in fact. I also make little boxes next to the items on the list so I can check them off. Boom. Done. Accomplished.
I'm not huge on lists… because they overwhelm me! Lol.
I don't know what I would do without my lists – it's totally how I get through everyday!
I love lists, I always put way too many tasks but ticking them off makes me feel super accomplished. Its great to plan!
OH my goodness, it's like I am reading about myself, except you have advice that I have never given myself. Ha ha. Seriously, I love lists! I always make my daily lists too long and then get discouraged, including today, no make that especially today. I love the idea of making the list at the end of the day. That makes sense.
I LOVE making lists. Sometimes when I make my list I do write down things I already did and then cross it off. It makes me feel better lol.
I try to think of my lists as a "running list" so I know I'm not going to get to everything in one day but I do try and make sure I get at least 3 priorities done. On a good day it's 5. On an amazing day its 7. Granted I'm not counting things I have to do every day like dishes and dinner.