Lists—Indispensable Tool or Ancient Productivity Albatross

Every morning, I make a list. Somewhere in my youth and childhood, this daily habit became a lifelong obsession.

There is something oddly satisfying about checking off or crossing out a “to-do.”

I listed homework to do. Lists of songs and books to read filled spiral-bound notebooks. Elaborate lists with dates ensured that the college course met all the requirements in the syllabus.

Every work meeting generated a list of tasks that found their way on a calendar with a deadline. Lists consumed hours, and often kept me from forgetting important stuff. I made lists of household chores, children’s activities, and grocery lists. Lists and more lists!

Every month, I list major events and tasks. When August rolled around this week, I noticed the same item had appeared on the monthly list for over a year.

The Big Hairy List

I read somewhere to stop making little lists by topic. Make one big list and choose one or two of the most important for the day. The idea seemed promising until it became another bullet point pestering me.

Tim Ferris promotes the “not-to-do list,” and claims they are more effective because “what you don’t do determines what you can do.” He lists nine habits to add to the list. My favorite comes from Anne-Laure LeCunff, “Do not try to please everyone.”

With that in mind, I might consider, “Do not allow the list to ruin a perfectly good day to play.”

Will I drop the list habit? Probably not.

I really do enjoy that little check mark ✓!

A song about lists (out of the hundreds I found)

A list of events from 1949 to 1989.

A list about lists

“Making lists of reasons was sometimes a good way to figure things out.”
—Lois Lowry

“I love the ritual of drawing up lists, and there’s something wonderfully satisfying about ticking tasks off.”
—Shaida Kazie Ali

“Forget about your lists and do what you can because that’s all you can do. Phone up the people you miss and tell them you love them.”
—Iain Thomas, I Wrote This for You

I always welcome your thoughts, so please leave a comment

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And always—

Be kind. Be brave. Be you.

Featured Photo: Morning Lists © Kathryn LeRoy