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{31 Days} Lists as a Tool not a Barrier

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.
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.

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!
I said yesterday that I am much more ambitious when I write
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. 
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.
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.
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.

Using to-do lists as a tool not a barrier

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.
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.

Are you a list
maker?  Do you use lists as encouragement
on what you are able to accomplish throughout the day?

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  1. Sincerely Rose says

    October 26, 2016 at 2:53 pm

    oh am i a list maker! I have so many it is ridiculous! love that feeling of getting things done! aha

    Reply
  2. Arin | Heart of Chic says

    October 25, 2016 at 10:50 pm

    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.

    Reply
  3. Renée @ The Good Hearted Woman says

    October 21, 2016 at 2:45 pm

    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.

    Reply
  4. Jessica McKenney says

    October 20, 2016 at 3:30 am

    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!

    Reply
  5. galatealily says

    October 20, 2016 at 2:54 am

    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

    Reply
  6. Mandy Carter says

    October 19, 2016 at 8:53 pm

    I am definitely a list maker. I make too many lists sometimes that I have them everywhere.

    Reply
  7. Hil'Lesha O'Nan says

    October 19, 2016 at 6:05 pm

    I have always loved making lists, too! Making lists help me stay more organized and on track.

    Reply
  8. Krystle Cook says

    October 19, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    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.

    Reply
  9. Robin Rue says

    October 19, 2016 at 5:08 pm

    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.

    Reply
  10. Nicole Escat says

    October 19, 2016 at 2:49 pm

    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

    Reply
  11. Rose Sahetapy says

    October 19, 2016 at 8:45 am

    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".

    Reply
  12. Taylor Mobley says

    October 19, 2016 at 5:59 am

    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!!!!

    Reply
  13. Brittany Muddamalle says

    October 19, 2016 at 3:27 am

    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.

    Reply
  14. Angela @marathonsandmotivation says

    October 19, 2016 at 2:30 am

    I love making lists, but lately I have been too busy to even make the lists! Ugh…time for a reset!

    Reply
  15. Reesa Lewandowski says

    October 19, 2016 at 2:27 am

    I make lists just to cross things off. I am at a point in my life that I cannot function without a list!

    Reply
  16. CourtneyLynne says

    October 18, 2016 at 10:43 pm

    Omg I'm list obsessed!!! I wouldn't be able to tackle my days without all of my list!

    Reply
  17. ilkasblog Ilkasblog says

    October 18, 2016 at 8:02 pm

    To do lists are so helpful. They really make my day so much easier.

    Reply
  18. Amanda Love says

    October 18, 2016 at 2:54 pm

    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!

    Reply
  19. OurFamilyWorld says

    October 18, 2016 at 7:42 am

    I also love to make lists. It helps me accomplish a lot of things. Making a super long list, though can get overwhelming.

    Reply
  20. Shelby Bunker says

    October 18, 2016 at 4:01 am

    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!

    Reply
  21. Foodie Finds Home says

    October 18, 2016 at 3:25 am

    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.

    Reply
  22. Terri Steffes says

    October 18, 2016 at 1:27 am

    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!

    Reply
  23. Heather Garcia says

    October 18, 2016 at 12:46 am

    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 !

    Reply
  24. Cherry Blossoms says

    October 18, 2016 at 12:04 am

    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!

    Reply
  25. Kimberly Stroh says

    October 17, 2016 at 11:48 pm

    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!

    Reply
  26. Karen Morse says

    October 17, 2016 at 10:26 pm

    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.

    Reply
  27. Alyssa Ruane says

    October 17, 2016 at 9:18 pm

    I'm not huge on lists… because they overwhelm me! Lol.

    Reply
  28. Housewife Eclectic says

    October 17, 2016 at 5:57 pm

    I don't know what I would do without my lists – it's totally how I get through everyday!

    Reply
  29. ana de jesus says

    October 17, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    I love lists, I always put way too many tasks but ticking them off makes me feel super accomplished. Its great to plan!

    Reply
  30. Natalie Busch says

    October 8, 2016 at 3:12 am

    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.

    Reply
  31. Christa @ Little Us says

    October 7, 2016 at 3:58 am

    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.

    Reply

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