Do you make lists?

@katsalot1 (1618)
February 15, 2009 7:38am CST
I used to make lists of things to do, then cross them off as they were done, but I haven't done that for a while now. I do try to make shopping lists, but normally leave them at home, but I think having written things down I am more likely to remember them. How about you?
12 people like this
62 responses
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
16 Feb 09
Yeah, I make lists, I have to make lists of things I need to do because I'm very forgetful and if I don't write it down, it won't get done. I also have to write a grocery list, sometimes I won't have one and when I go to the store I'm lost, I don't know what I need to get, or even where to start, its like my list is my lifesaver or something...haha.
2 people like this
@snoopy04 (718)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I make a list of what bills get paid everytime my husband gets paid and then when I go grocery shopping. I also make a list of chores for the kids and turn it into a chore wheel. I have found that when my days are busy and I have alot of errands or activities ro do a list is my best friend. If I didnt make a list when I did grocery shopping I would buy out the whole store lol.
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@Raymo23 (463)
• Uganda
15 Feb 09
I do make list; a list of what I ought to do the next day, written just before I go to bed, a list of topics to cover, and questions to answer before reading my class notes, a shopping list; lists keep you focused, and on track. But sometimes I do without them though I think overall they are necessary for organization.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45125)
• Canada
15 Feb 09
Whenever I think of something that I need to do I write it down and place the paper near the door so I don't forget to take it with me when I go out. It's the only way I get everything done and don't frustrate myself by forgetting something. I like it when at the end of the day, everything is done and accomplished. I like to always be on top of things. I have a good reputation of being organized and dependable. I like to keep it that way. I also have a daily agenda where I record things that have to be done in the future.
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@nansheeca (215)
• Philippines
16 Feb 09
yes i do make lists too. it's easier to do things if i have lists and its nice to see if all of them are crossed out already meaning they are all done. but if it is just simple things i dont make lists anymore. but normally i do that not only to be organized but to make things done.
2 people like this
• Canada
15 Feb 09
I don't think I've ever made a list, as weird as that sounds. If something needs to be done I just do it. Personally I think if I started making a list it would never end..... scary thought
2 people like this
@ashjoe76 (1422)
• India
15 Feb 09
You are very corect about this. Yes, I do make lists too. Not just for shopping, but for my short and long term plans too. It gives you a sense of being systematic in life, of being aware of every single thing that you dream of and attain.
2 people like this
@dpk262006 (58673)
• Delhi, India
16 Feb 09
Yaah, making a list does help us in carrying out and finishing our pending tasks. I also make a list, on weekends to dispose of my tasks, which get accumulated during weekdays. You are right, if we write something, it gets registered in our mind and we do not forget it easily. Once my friend told me a quote, which I always follow - 'Palest of ink is sharper than any memory'. So, whenever I come across a new task, I write it down and make a list of the same and it comes very handy later on, because our mind has limited memory and we tend to forget some of the things. Good Post!
@dpk262006 (58673)
• Delhi, India
17 Feb 09
Thanks for liking the quote, you please stay in touch.........you may come to know many such quotes.
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@katsalot1 (1618)
16 Feb 09
That's a very good quote.
1 person likes this
@derek_a (10874)
16 Feb 09
Yes writing things down works well for me, especially on shopping lists. I also use my imagination if I need to remember things to do. I simply imagine a clock and the time at which I have to carry things our and visualize myself doing them. The subconscious is a powerful tool and it always prompts me with a thought at the time I need to get something done. :-) Derek
1 person likes this
@derek_a (10874)
16 Feb 09
Anything involving the mind and imagination gets better with practice. As a therapist, I find this with my clients. They tell me they are useless as visualization and I ask them to practice for about a week, not trying to hard to get it absolutely right, and to try and be patient with themselves, and invariably their powers of imagination do get stronger. Many believe that we can have anything if we can imagine it and take the necessary steps.. I fully believe this is true. :-) Derek
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@mentalward (14691)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I try remembering things by association. If someone tells me their name, say, and I want to remember it. I'll associate their name with some event, season, color (yeah, color... a color with the same beginning letter as their name), etc. It usually works, but not all the time. That's why I've started writing everything down. LOL
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@katsalot1 (1618)
16 Feb 09
That's a novel way of remembering things! I'm not sure it would work for me.
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
15 Feb 09
I am a list maker. I make lists for shopping/running errands, for things I have to get done by a certain day, etc. I have been a list maker for years, and helps me be more organized. I normally make my 'to do' list the night before, check over it the next morning, and add anything that I might need to. This is really helpful now that I am moving, and I have 2 days til moving day is here. There are still things that I have to get done before I pull out of the driveway Tuesday morning. So I keep my list and my dayplanner handy, just in case I think of something else that I need to get done.
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@mentalward (14691)
• United States
16 Feb 09
HAHAHAHA! You should see my desk! It's COVERED in little notes I write to myself so I won't forget things! I carry a small notebook around with me everywhere so I can write down things I don't want to forget since I forget almost everything these days. (I have fibromyalgia with the accompanying "brain fog", e.g. forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, things like that.) I ALWAYS make a list for grocery shopping. There have been too many times when I'll go shopping for a few things and end up buying other things and forgetting what I originally went to the store for! So, yep, I make lists... hundreds of them! LOL
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
16 Feb 09
Awesome! I know it works much better for me than scraps of paper! I have to get all my little notes off this desk and write everything down in my notebook (one of those little tiny ones, about 3" x 5" but really thick). It works for me! I'm sure it will work for you, too. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@katsalot1 (1618)
16 Feb 09
A notebook sounds like a very good idea, because then your lists are all in one place. If I do a list it's always on a scrap of paper, and then I lose it or can't remember which pocket I put it in. I think I will carry a notebook now!
@missybear (11391)
• United States
15 Feb 09
I always write down my bills and as I pay them I cross them of, I also make a grocery list otherwise I forget half the stuff I need. Old age is creeping up on me I guess
2 people like this
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
17 Feb 09
I have to make lists. I have a pad on the fridge and when we run out of something, I write it down on the pad. This way I don't forget to get something that we truly use and need every day. I make lists about daily chores and days where there are several appointments just so I can keep track of everything. I'm a big list maker!
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
17 Feb 09
Believe me - it was a learned response. After so many times of coming home after a shopping trip and realizing that we forgot something so silly as bread or eggs, we started making a list when we run out. It saves a lot of stupid trips back to the store...
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@katsalot1 (1618)
17 Feb 09
You are right, except I remembered after I left that last comment, that I quite often forget to look at the blackboard before I go out!
@katsalot1 (1618)
17 Feb 09
You saying that reminded me that I do keep a list. I have a small blackboard in the kitchen, and I write things on there when we've run out of something.
@xhaylea (361)
1 Apr 09
I like to be organised and know what im doing, so yeah i definitely make lists of things im going to do, and i also write done things so i don't forget them, and so i can clear my brain/mind abit lol.
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Apr 09
I love making lists! I prefer to make them on paper so I can cross things off as I finish them, but sometimes I make them on my computer and then just delete items as they are accomplished.
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@katsalot1 (1618)
2 Apr 09
I agree. Our brains seem to have only a certain amount of space for short-term memory, so writing things down leaves a bit more available space.
• China
26 Feb 09
For me I like to amke a list while I am ding something as I am a kind of person who is easily to forget things in most occasions ,haha ...So every time I have to make a list before I was really doing something or buying something. Most of the time my friends will be so angry at the forgetness in my mind since I always forget their birthday and I always forget their birthday .So now I made a name list of my friends and their bithdays ...
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@katsalot1 (1618)
26 Feb 09
I do have a book where I write birthdays, the trouble is unless you look in the book you are not reminded. I suppose the only way round that is to copy everybody's birthday onto a calender, which would take ages!
@quinnkl (1667)
• United States
20 Feb 09
I am not a big list maker. I don't use them a lot. I do make grocery lists and lists at holiday time. But it seems like more times than not I run off and forget or lose the list so don't end up using it anyway. There have been many times when I wished that I had a list though!!
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@katsalot1 (1618)
20 Feb 09
There have been many times when I've forgotten what I'm supposed to be getting when I'm out, and I know it would be sensible to have a list - I just always think I'm going to remember!
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
15 Feb 09
My fiance and I will make a list, especially if we have a few things to do that day and need to get them done in a certain order. I think it's better to make lists so you don't forget, and in this economy it's better to make lists so that your more likely not to get things that you don't need. Maybe even put a price beside each item!
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@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
15 Feb 09
lol! I guess that's true.
@katsalot1 (1618)
15 Feb 09
I really couldn't go that far - putting a price next to them, I mean. That's just too sensible!
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@nini89 (670)
• India
26 Feb 09
Hi freind! Some people have the habbit of listing down all the works to be done and after completing the work they cross the thing which is done. While going for shopping the groceries I used to list down the thing to be purchased otherwise I will forget the most required. My sister have the habbit to list down when she is at home also what all things have to done or what to carry while going out etc. Happy posting and have a nice day.
@katsalot1 (1618)
26 Feb 09
It definitely seems a good idea to make a list to organize your tasks and remember your shopping, as long as you don't leave it at home like I do!
@Erssyl (617)
• Philippines
18 Feb 09
A always make sure I make a list of everything I do especially nowadays that I seem to feel I'm very forgetful.When I list down things that I have done and things to do,I feel I'm in order.
@katsalot1 (1618)
18 Feb 09
It does seem as though keeping a list helps a lot of people to keep organised!
@sandymay48 (2030)
• Canada
15 Feb 09
I have learned to make lists for everything..At first my list making was a failure...Just like you, I would make lists with good intentions and leave it at home...NOt what was it I wanted at the grocery store? Do I have everything? More times than not the answer is NO! What was the important thing I wanted to tell the doctor after waiting 2 weeks for an appt?..Better still, when was that appt? I should have written it down!..HOw many birthdays do I have to remember this month? Why cant I remember..Im sorry that Susie got a card and you didnt, It just slipped my mind!...lol.. Oh yes, it simplifies life so much to make a list for everything I do!!
@katsalot1 (1618)
15 Feb 09
I do write appointments down on the calendar (when I remember)!
• Canada
15 Feb 09
I write down appts on calenders too. The trouble was, at first I kept a small appt book by the phone and would write in there. But...now where did I put that appt book?..lol..So now I am like everyone else and put a calendar on the wall that wont be moved.
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