Top 10 Benefits Of Making A "To Do" List
Some folks are just naturally list makers. They make to-do lists, grocery lists, shopping lists, project lists, reading lists, etc. I happen to be one of those people! I also know quite a few people who have never made a list in their life. Perhaps it isn’t necessary. Although I have seen these same people stay up late due to worrying about all they have to do the next day instead of just making a list. I have witnessed numerous trips to the grocery store wasting time and gas because they kept forgetting something important. There are those last minute arguments between spouses over dinner being late/foiled because all the ingredients weren’t on hand (yeah, saw this one last night!!).
Before I get on a tangent about all types of lists, I remind myself I am focusing this discussion on the ‘to-do’ list. A list of action oriented items that you set out to accomplish on any given day. It takes 5 minutes daily. It can take more if it is Sunday and you are doing your planning for the week, but on Sunday, you are also looking at your objectives and determining those tactical items related to your goals that you want to accomplish for the week. That is your weekly list! That careful analytical thought process takes a few minutes more. Your daily to-do list is limited to just those items that you expect to have both the time and the energy to complete. In addition to staying on top of your game, here are 10 more benefits to making a list!
- 1. Creates focus on what you need to accomplish that day
- 2. Provides the opportunity to see it in writing where you can prioritize your tasks
- 3. Allows you to see “like” tasks so you can work on them together/efficiently
- 4. Creates an endorphin release when you check a task off your list
- 5. Allows you to quickly get back on task when you have been interrupted
- 6. Clears your mind thereby making you feel calm
- 7. Decreases stress
- 8. You won’t worry about forgetting an important task
- 9. And you won’t actually forget the important task!
- 10. Allows you to pace yourself (energy management!)
