Lists have become my new friends. Mapping out a list of chores for my day or week helps me greatly. I can check things off as I accomplish them, and it give me just that- a sense of accomplishment.
Just Do It
Though I am no longer multi-tasking to the level I did while working a full-time job and balancing a family, my to-do lists organize and ground me. With the horrific climbing costs of gas, lists also help me synchronize my errands to minimize my fuel usage. Lists are simple things really, but productive- especially when striving to maximize a lessened income.
A Stop Doing List?
On the opposite side of this coin, there is a not-to-do list as well. You intuitively know there are some things that you repeatedly do in your life, that you should stop doing. Honestly, how many low-level work or home tasks are there that you could delete, delegate or outsource? Be honest also if there are tasks that allow you to procrastinate, and not accomplish the important priorities. You can write yourself a “temporary” not-to-do list that will allow you to honestly defer some tasks to another day with more time. This way you will take pressure off yourself by not creating an unrealistic to-do list that leaves you frustrated and negative when you cannot accomplish it.
Choose An Attitude of Gratitude
While an everyday to-do list for your chores is practical and effective, here’s another list you can do as well. If you have been depressed of late, write a gratitude list. Document big and little things for which you are grateful. It will help your mental health. Looking back at your ongoing gratitude list once in a while is uplifting too.
Dreams Are Whispers From Your Soul
Do a dream list and write down your dreams that you remember when you wake up. You can even research some of the items or situations in your dreams, however odd they seem. Sometimes such things in dreams represent something you are tackling in your mind. Also if there are people popping up in your dreams that you haven’t talked to for some time, you can reach out to them, if that is feasible. At the very least, you can pray for them, there might be some reason they are coming to mind in your dreams.
When Words Fail, Gifts Speak
Write a gift list for yourself, and your family and friends. This list does not have to be practical. You can have lots of fun imagining the perfect presents you’d like, or that you would get for those on your list, regardless of your budget. Clarifying fun gift ideas on a gift list can help you spot more creative practical gifts that you might be able to afford at some point too.
Reading Provides A Place to Go When We Stay Put
If you are a reader, a book list is a must. So many books, so little time… a reading list can help you focus on some of that reading. Maybe you can become well-versed by thoroughly exploring a particular topic, person, or time. Maybe you just want to read all 68 of Agatha Christie’s books. You need a book list.
Really the idea behind a book list applies to any hobby or profession. You know why all those great chefs with successful restaurants were successful? It is because they prepared ahead, and plotted their cooking path. I am sure they had their detailed lists- from making the perfect homemade salad dressing to mastery of a proper pasta al dente. Lists helped them focus and accomplish, step by step.
Bucket List: Been There, Done That
Bucket lists are the most famous beneficial lists to do. People need to have dreams and goals, and bucket lists are those lists of things you want to experience or accomplish before you die (or “kick the bucket”). Bucket lists can involve fun travel (go on an African safari), philanthropic goals (e.g. fund a scholarship) or personal actions (graduate college or go zip lining). It is vital to not neglect this most important bucket list of dreams.
Who To Become?
Finally some people like to have a to-be list. Rather than a sole focus on things to do, the focus is on some quality to bring into their day. You can choose a focus on “friendly” or “confident” or “brave” for instance. Creating your to-be list involves honestly thinking about what qualities you want to have, and who you are trying to become.
So just like Santa, keep on making your list, whatever it is, and checking it twice… And try some of those different types of lists too, just to keep creative.
