I am a huge fan of ‘to-do’ lists. I honestly, cannot function without a ‘to-do’ list. Some people write a daily ‘to-do’ list. Well, ahem!! I write a ‘to-do’ list for the whole year, each month, each week and each day. I know, this sounds crazy but I am probably bit of a control freak. I think gradually I would progress to write a ‘to-do’ list for every hour (I occasionally do that using post-its). I know, I am sounding like Sheldon Cooper but I do love that guy. I binge watch his antics.
On the second day of January, I write the ‘to-do’ list for the entire year. Incidentally, second January is the birthday of Daisaku Ikeda, my spiritual mentor. Every year, on his birthday, I write down the things that I wish to accomplish that year.
I also set monthly and weekly goals, however, they are not always written down. I diligently write down the ‘to-do’ list for the next day before going to bed, every night. At night, after finishing all my work, I sit down with my journals. First I tick off the things that I accomplished doing from my ‘to-do’ list and then write down the ‘to-do’ list for the next day. Then I start writing my gratitude journal. Writing a gratitude journal is an easy way to feel happy in life. We always look at the black spots in our lives but a gratitude journal helps us look at the brighter side. After writing my journals, I chant my prayers and then go off to sleep.
The ‘to-do’ lists that I write are divided into 3-4 sections. The first section is dedicated to daily chores like laundry, dusting, exhaustive cleaning etc. The second section contains the menu for the day. I like to pre-plan the menu a day in advance, some people plan a menu in advance for the whole week, but for me a day before works well. The third section is for my office work, the emails that I need to sent, the follow-ups that I need to do etc. The fourth section is dedicated to my health goals. I added this section recently after I realised that my body is no more as healthy as it used to be even a year back. Therefore, I felt it important to take special care of myself.
The benefits of a ‘to-do’ list are:
- They help you keep track of the tasks that we otherwise tend to forget
- They help you stay motivated to finish the task
- They give you satisfaction when you realise that you have completed work from your list
- They help you organise your work better
- They help you manage your time
- They reduce your stress level as you are aware of what has to be done and when
When you write a ‘to-do’ list allocate time for each thing. Dedicate time for the mundane and routine things also. For example, I dedicate time for each things like watering the plants, bathing, watching TV etc. When you do this you are in control of time and that helps you not to waste time. If I have dedicated my TV time from 1pm-2pm then if I watch TV till 2.15pm, I become aware that I have spent extra 15 minutes and that means now I have 15 minutes less time to finish writing my emails.
A ‘to-do’ list can be beneficial for everyone from a homemaker to a student and a retired person to a employed person. I love to be organised and a ‘to-do’ list is the best way to help me stay organized. I have noticed that my work doesn’t get done on days when I don’t write a ‘to-do’ list. I become lazy and start procrastinating without a list. Therefore, for me the best way to get work done is by following a ‘to-do’ list.
Are you like me? or do you feel that writing a detailed ‘to-do’ list is nothing but waste of time. Do let me know.
Trina Looks Back 
Nice to visit your blog after a long time, Tina! To-do lists are very handy. I swear by them. In fact, I used to keep ‘to-do’ checklists for years and usually had one for the day, which I would follow to the T. Then, it so happened that life seemed to have other plans for me and my schedule would go for a toss. Now, I keep a priority list for things that are important for the day, which is actually a very small list of essential tasks, specific to a given day. The chores get done anyway. It’s the “other” things that need prioritising, in my case.
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Good to have you back Di. My blog missed you. Welcome back ♥️♥️
I happen to forget a lot and without a list even the essential chores like watering the plants etc gets missed out. I am not good at multitasking and feel overwhelmed when too many things come together. A detailed list helps me keep my priorities pinned and they get done..or else work just gets piling up.
Stay safe di..keep visiting. Lots of love and hugs
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Wow. You’re very organized. I am not a big fan of to-do lists mostly because of the fact that keeping up becomes a chore for me.
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Make it up as it goes has become the norm for me especially after lockdown 😂
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I’m also a fan of to-do lists. But never plan for a year. It’s usually a month broken down iNto weeks. Helps me to keep track of where I’m headed.
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I’m not too much of a list person, Jose is. But with advancing years I see the value of that. Now I use my bullet journal for making lists.
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Nice to know someone else who is as addicted to to do lists as I am. Not that I do everything on my lists, but they keep me on track and I do more than I would have done without them.
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A to-do list for the entire year? Like, seriously? Wow, B, I am impressed!
I used to make to-do lists on my phone last year, but then I stopped doing it. Wonder why.
Maybe I will give it a try again now on. And I might add the time to keep track of where it goes and how I spend it.
Thanks for this inspiring post, B!
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Todo lists make me more efficient and I get more things done when I know what my priorities are. But you take this to next level. 🙂 I only write daily or weekly lists, but never as detailed as you. It’s very impressive that you got all the tasks so organized.
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I think, I have some kind of OCD
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Oh my this is AMAZING! ONE YEAR?!! Holyyy, thats crazy but woahh! love your page honey !! I needed to read this topic at the moment and your blog is great! love ittt. xox
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