Lists are one of the most powerful organizational tools that you can use to increase efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of life.
I truly believe that they fall into that same category of start with the bed/make a list and the possibilities are endless.
Furthermore, lists allow you to free yourself of the anxieties of life and utilize your time wisely and purposefully.
Life is so complicated at times, but somehow lists just make it all seem so much more manageable and possible.
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Quick Check to See the Power
Before you doubt the power, complete this mini-lesson on the power of lists. (Inserting my teaching practices here.)
- Set a timer for 60 seconds.
- Next, write down all of the major tasks that you need to do tomorrow.
- Tomorrow, try to check each item off. I bet 9 out of ten times, you will actually get to every task.
If that happens and you get all of your items done, you my friend have just unlocked the POWER of lists!
Nonetheless, these lists allow you to spend more time enjoying life’s precious moments and less time wondering what you were supposed to do.
You will no longer worry about what you were going to grab at the store, who you were supposed to call back, and that oh so frequent wonder in what you were going to order next from Amazon.
You will be able to organize and simplify all of these odds and ends with lists.
Why Lists Are Powerful
Power is such a strong word and a word that isn’t used lightly in most applications. So when I say lists are powerful, you may ask but why?
Many may just see a list as a stupid way to waste time writing down useless items. I see that perspective, but I don’t agree. A list is the true inner workings of someone’s thoughts.
Reason 1: Calm Your Nerves
A list will ease your worries and lessen your concerns with each item written down on paper.
You are going to feel better each day just by writing a list. I promise if you just write it down, you will feel instant relief.
You won’t worry that you might forget about those new shoes for your toddler who just had a growth spurt, that dentist appointment you made months ago, the gift that you want to select for your best friend, the email for work you must reply to, and so on.
You will have all of these tasks in place and you won’t feel overwhelmed by all of the different directions life pulls you.
Reason 2: Organize All Aspects of Life
Lists are going to literally organize all aspects of your life. Regardless of your role in life, you can always use a list. Be it that you are a student, a teacher, an electrician, an engineer, you will always be able to write a list.
Needless to say, you might ask, what in the world do I need a list for? What do I even write a list for? What do I put on a list?
Okay, so if you are new to this process, I would start with something straightforward. Make a list of what you need to reorder from the grocery store or Target.
Of course, lists can consist of anything. You could go with a pretty big list. For instance, you could write down a list of all of the things you would like to accomplish this year, in the next five years, and so on.
With each list, you will organize your life and honestly your home as well.
Reason 3: Allow for Assistance
By writing lists, you can easily ask someone for help. YES, you can ask for help! That doesn’t mean you have a weakness or that you can’t handle life, but that you are human and need a helping hand.
So you can easily leave a list out for someone on what to make your kids for lunch while you run errands or just to take a much-needed nap.
You could write one for your husband so that he can get a few things done. For example, you could write don’t touch the chocolates in the pantry, flip the laundry, and take out all of the garbages – please.
You can leave a list for your kids so that they can help out with the chores as well.
Of course, my mother always left lists out for us on the kitchen table, but they were always super long and just looked exhausting. (I hope she doesn’t read this!)
So just keep it to two or three chores that are simple for your kids to complete. For example, jot down and ask kindly – please empty the dishwasher and fold the towels in the dryer.
After a few of these notes, you will easily see the power of a list and asking for a helping hand!
The person who helps you may not do it just as you would, but see the beauty in that you are getting to lessen your tasks and just breathe a little.
Reason 4: Enable You to Achieve & Accomplish
When you get to work, write down a quick list of what you want to accomplish that day.
Put your most urgent items on it. As you go through your workday, cross these items off. I bet you will have a more productive day and achieve more.
Some people say that just the experience of creating the list and seeing what you need to accomplish gives you more motivation to actually check things off and finish tasks.
According to Psychology Today, lists are a direct result that is related to less procrastination.
You are more likely to accomplish your goals and that my friend is where the power lies! YOU!
How Lists Are Powerful
So now that you see why lists are so powerful, you might ask well how in the world do I start this process?
How am I supposed to start making lists? Where do I put items in my home and office to easily access the power of lists?
Reason 5: Post Its & Notepads
Start with leaving post-its and notepads in your kitchen, your desk drawers, and your nightstand.
This way you can easily create a list while you are cooking or drinking a cup of coffee in the morning.
Also, you can write down the telephone number and important information during a phone call too if a post-it or a notepad is close by.
Additionally, you can put post-its on food items in the fridge for easy expiration knowledge. Also, they are good for letting your family know to back off of the last scoop of salted caramel ice cream in the freezer!
You can even write a quick list or a great idea before you go to sleep if you leave a notepad by your bed. That million-dollar idea might just be lost if you don’t write it down at that moment!
Overall, writing lists is powerful but for those quick writes and ideas, you have to quickly be able to access a pen and paper.
Reason 6: Whiteboards
Whiteboards are another great way for you to organize your thoughts in your home and office.
Personally, I have a small whiteboard in my kitchen so that I can write down quick tasks and jot down items during the week that I need to replace in the fridge and pantry.
Also, the whiteboard doesn’t take up too much room and some of these whiteboards are quite beautiful decor pieces too.
Reason 7: Planners, Agendas, & Calendars
Do you remember your school planner or agenda that your teacher would hand you in August? I am sure you do. Well, these agendas are still useful in your life.
While you might not be writing down your homework assignments anymore, you can still write down your daily tasks and scheduled events each week and month.
These planners, agendas, and calendars will surely help you avoid missing major events and will automatically give you a feeling of relief knowing that you have these things down on paper.
Reason 8: Digital Apps
For those of you who would rather have digital lists and planners, there are wonderful apps for that too.
For those who have the iPhone, the best go-to already there for you app is Apple Notes. I use this quite frequently if I don’t have quick access to a post-it.
Also, I love using Google Calendar and the app is just as user friendly. Plus, you can set reminders for each upcoming event too, and add people to your events.
My husband is always using OneNote for work and he also uses it to organize all of our financial paperwork and photos of important files and receipts.
With these three apps, you will have enough access to the power of digital list-making too!
Check It Off!
You have it down and done! You have unlocked the power of lists and your life is going to just get easier from here on out!
Enjoy all of your new free time that you have now that you are a list maker.
& Remember
Start with the Bed,
Juliet
