If you feel like you are drowning in to-do lists and items that never get crossed off, one step to simplification is to call on Render Lifestyle Management to help. If you live in the Twin Cities area, contact me for a free 30 minute consultation to discuss your priorities and budget and let’s get you on your way to some simplicity.
While Render Lifestyle Management can help you get items on your list done, you still need to know what’s on that list.
Listing with Technical Tools
If you use a smart phone, you already have a great place to keep your lists. If you have a habit of constantly starting new lists and never knowing which list to look at, take the time today to consolidate them all into one list, and stick to using just that list. Another technique is to make your lists right within a daily calendar.
Listing with Pen and Paper
If you are a pen and paper list-maker like I am, that’s a great system as well. If the lists are not all in one place, take the time today to gather them all into one pile, and create a consolidated list. I recommend a smallish spiral notebook- it’s small enough to fit in a purse or backpack, and thus, portable. When you are tempted to start a new list, just pull out your notebook and keep it all in one place.
Non-list Makers
If you are not a list maker, that leads me to believe you have a great memory, or forget to do a lot of things! If you find yourself forgetting dates and things that need to get done, a great first step for you during Simplify Your Life Week is to start a listing habit. Get out the smart phone and learn to use its listing features, or purchase a small spiral notebook. What is imperative is that you commit to starting a listing habit. Once something is on the list, you don’t have to keep using mental energy to remember to do it because your list will tell you what needs to get done.
Sub-lists
Sometimes one list just won’t do. For example, if “grocery store” is on the to-do list, you may need a sub-list that contains all you need to purchase at the grocery. If your lists are all in one place, you can go to the grocery when it’s convenient and know your list is with you. This saves you from forgetting essential items and having to go back, or having to drive by the grocery when you have time to go there because you don’t have your list. Both scenarios necessitate a second trip to the store. That’s not a good use of your time or your resources.
The Running List vs. the Daily List
There are schools of thought for making uber-long running lists (allowing you to keep everything front and center and reviewed frequently), and for the shorter, daily lists. I’m a bit of a mix-breed, doing a little bit of both, sometimes more one than the other. I usually have a running list, but lately I’ve been using a great paper pad with headings for each day of the week. I stocked up on these pads at the dollar section at Michaels and am stocked for the year! For some of you, seeing a long running list without assurance that each item will be crossed off by the end of the day creates panic and a feeling of being overwhelmed. If that sounds like you, a daily system may be best for you. Have a page/list for each day of the week, and put items down according to which day you think you will do each task or must do a particular task.
This has been a fairly long post for one little tip. The take-away is really to think about what your listing habit is, and how it helps or hinders your productivity. Your biggest challenge is probably making a commitment to more productive listing. Hopefully some of this information will help you improve, or start, your listing habit.
Until next time…
Missy
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