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The value of a to-do list

June 20th, 2020 at 02:38 am

A few months ago, I made a post asking people how they spend their evenings. And I really didn't just mean evenings but down time in general. More and more often, I was finding myself just sitting on the sofa watching TV or doing nonsense on the computer.

More recently, I've gotten a lot better about keeping a written to-do list. Mine is actually a physical piece of paper (usually the back of some junk mail envelope) that I keep on the kitchen table. Whenever I think of some task that needs doing, I add it to the list. If I think of something while I'm out and about, I'll email myself a reminder and add it to the list when I get home.

Now, when I have some down time and don't just want to be a couch potato, I take a look at the list. The things on there are generally quick little jobs, not big involved things.

For example, today I lubricated the flusher handle on one toilet that had been sticking and I glued back a piece of molding on my car that was peeling off. I also changed the filter on our AC. A few days ago I cleaned the bathtub drain and did a DIY improvement on our bathroom sink to help it drain better.

I have next week off from work so I'm trying to populate the list with as many things as I can think of to help keep me busy and help me accomplish as much as I can while I'm off. One thing I want to do is list a bunch of items on our neighborhood's "Buy Nothing" Facebook group. I've started a separate list of the items to give away through that.

I learned long ago - but sometimes manage to forget - that writing down the things you need to get done greatly increases your odds of actually doing them. I'd encourage everyone to give it a try if you don't already.

11 Responses to “The value of a to-do list”

  1. My English Castle Says:
    1592621974

    Will put "write a to-do list" on my list!

  2. Carol Says:
    1592646553

    I don't know how I'd manage without my " to do" list.

  3. Greenleaf Says:
    1592651168

    Agree! I like the free Google Keep list app on my phone, so I can jot down longer term projects as I think of them (and I like the check-box style on that)

  4. Turtle Lover Says:
    1592660704

    I'm a total list person and I agree with the writing it down!

  5. mumof2 Says:
    1592661577

    we have 2 white boards in the kitchen one for a shopping list and one for a to-do-list as well...we have done so much that we only have 1 thing on it now

  6. Sue Says:
    1592663959

    I have an on-going to-do list and I try and cross everything off by end of week. Then I start a new list for the upcoming week. Still, some things manage to not get done and get transferred to the new list week to week. ha!

  7. Wink Says:
    1592664150

    I always have a to do list. It helps me to not forget certain things, like making phone calls, or taking care of some banking.

  8. rob62521 Says:
    1592678370

    There's something great about writing down a list and then marking stuff off as you accomplish it. Makes you feel like a winner!

    Good job on all the things you've completed so far!

  9. CB in the City Says:
    1592679071

    I use the Keep app, too!

  10. LifeBalance Says:
    1592683119

    Another list-maker here! Steve, you may want to check out Toodledo. It's a free application that is robust. You can categorize items in any way you want so for example you can see items that need to be done on the computer, or items that need to be done at home, or items that require a drive in the car, etc.

  11. amastewa93 Says:
    1593047458

    Awesome article, thanks for sharing Smile

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