The Anatomy of a “To-Do” List

Good morning. We are now a few days into the new year. With each new year comes an abundance of self-improvement visions. We all have them. Some of us more than others. One of my habits is list making.  I am pretty sure I have reached “Queen of the TO-DO List” status. I read once that people actually remember things better when they write them down on paper, rather than when they type them on a cell phone or a tablet. There is always a scrap of paper, a legal pad, a paper towel, the back of a grocery receipt lying around with a list scrawled on it. My most used spot for a list is usually the palm of my left hand.  Shawn always tells me to put it on my phone, but I guess I’m a little old-fashioned. I like the feeling I get by scratching off my accomplishments. It helps me stay organized, somewhat. This is my own “control the madness” method. I’ve learned that by creating lists and following through I am less stressed and I manage to get all my “stuff” done.

You see, I am a stay-at-home mom. A domestic goddess. The CEO of the Clouse House. I am a teacher, mediator, chef and chauffeur. I spend my days guiding an 11-year-old and wrangling a three-year old.  I am busy.  My way of controlling that busyness is by making lists.

As January commences, I find myself faced with a boatload of activities that need to be prioritized. I’m sure you do, too.  Right from the start this new month has brought new challenges to work through.  For instance, my bonus dad, who has Parkinson’s, has driving restrictions.  Generally, I drive him to his monthly doctor appointments. This particular month he has been ordered into a physical therapy program. It will be four days a week for four weeks.  His neurologist gave him PT orders that are outside of his driving range. Priority number one this month, find a PT that offers the specialized therapy within his driving circle.  This jumped to the head of my list since it would affect every other item on my list. Could it be done? The Challenge was accepted. I was determined to find a PT close to home.   I’ll admit the thought of having to load up the kids and doing schoolwork in a waiting room was overwhelming, as well as, a driving force.  That was the first thing on my list yesterday.  High priority, top of the heap, “nothing else gets done until this is settled” kinda thing.  Guess what? Yep, you guessed it. Mission accomplished. Not a whole lot was accomplished yesterday, and that is okay. Priorities, folks. Priorities. Sticking with my list, getting things done.

There are daily, weekly, and monthly lists. These are the most prevalent in my home.  Currently, I have a legal pad with all three types in progress. I also have a menu/grocery list in progress. In all likelihood, I could have a list to organize my lists. That might be a bit much.  Shawn often refers to my “lists” as OCD.  I say it’s good time management. 

All the main “to-do” lists have the same secrets of success and the same basic anatomy.  To understand the anatomy of a “to-do” list, you should start at the top, or the head, and work your way down. So lets start there, at the beginning.

1. Sit down the night before and write down everything you can think off that needs to be done the next day. Now grab that red marker and mark off those things that are not necessary. Choose 3-5 things you need to do the next day. Look at the list and decide if one of those can be done now. If so, do it.  Don’t forget to add phone numbers, addresses, emails, etc. This will save you a few minutes the next day.

2. Prioritize the list. What HAS to get done? What can wait? Understand the difference. You want to take on that list strategically. Do what is most important first. To keep yourself from stressing out and feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to be focused. If there are things you can do the next week, then do them next week. If you don’t need to think about it for a few weeks, put it on another list for future reference.  Do only what has to be done. If you get more things done that are not on your to-do lists, then you are winning your day and you are a rock-star.

3. Be flexible. Everyone knows that crap happens in life that we just cannot control. If you can’t get it done, tack it on to tomorrows list and move on. It is OK.

4. Finally, always, and I mean ALWAYS, include “ME” time to your list. This is extremely important. Take time for you. Read a book, take a bubble bath, do yoga, hide in a closet and drink a delightful cuppa jo while listening to Michael Buble’. Whatever your jam is, do it. Seriously, this is the most important step in this process.

Making a list is not for everyone. You might just use a calendar. You might just fly by the seat of your pants. You do what works for you.  Todays list for me includes:

✅BLOG

✅NINJA WARRIOR CLASS

✅GROCERIES

✅LESSON PLANS.

It’s time to get moving.  Have a fantabulous day. 

Take care of you

Kim