getting organized
getting things done
organization
organization methods
organization techniques
priorities
to do list
Nothing is too small to make the list!
By Jess
@JJ4Ever (4693)
United States
March 29, 2010 7:10pm CST
I always keep an ongoing list of things I need to do on my iPod Touch. I have a specific application on there just for that reason so I can check the items off the list when they're done. It gives me a wonderful feeling of accomplishment when I get to check something off the list! Do you make "To Do" lists? Are your lists very detailed and specific or do you prefer your list to contain only the basics, and you try to remember the details? If your list includes only the basic things you would like to get done, are you ever afraid you will forget to do more specific things? Have you ever left something off your list and forgotten about that thing you needed to get done because of it? In my opinion, nothing that needs to be done is too small or unimportant for me to omit it from my list. Of course, you can imagine that my list is probably a lot longer and more detailed than it would be otherwise! I just feel that if it's not on the list, it won't get done. For example, I've put things as small and seemingly unimportant as clipping my fingernails or even grooming my eyebrows on my list because I don't want anything to get out of hand. (I also think I owe it to myself to get these things done as well!) Do you think this is silly? I guess for me, it puts things in a whole different perspective when I put it on the list. I can look at my nails and know they need clipping or look in the mirror and know my eyebrows need work, but it seems to take on more importance when I add it to the list. I know it may seem odd how I practically worship the "To Do" list, but I'm an organized individual so that is my sanity! Please share your acquaintances (or lack thereof) with the "To Do" list. If you don't keep a list like I do, please share how you stay organized in getting things done. Thanks!
5 responses
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
20 Jan 11
I am a list person big time. No sense trying to remember it all if I don't have to! That just makes for brain clutter! I have a list that I keep and just daily add things to do to it, then on Sunday, I take that list and make daily ones so as to conserve gas and such. Works great!
1 person likes this

@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I hate cell phones and think that most are so addicted to them it is scary to think that they might not be able to function if they are without their cell phone! But to each his own...I am still on the "pencil and paper" circuit!
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
15 Aug 11
I've heard writing things down helps you remember them better anyway, so it's probably better your way anyhow! I'm not necessarily addicted to my cell phone, but I definitely fall into that category of I wouldn't know what to do without it lol. However, I have lots of helpful applications on it, such as our household budget so I know how much money is in our accounts at all times. I also have an app that was designed just to make lists and check them off. As you can probably tell, that's one of my favorites!
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
9 Feb 11
That is my philosophy precisely! Why remember what you can put down on paper? (As long as you're going to look at that paper again - lol!) I do the same except my list is in my phone, which I probably use about every five minutes. That is no joke! I don't know what I'd do without my phone. It's a smartphone so it has an application just for lists. I was seriously in Heaven when I found that app. What a lifesaver! I'm glad you're like me in this aspect. I couldn't get things done without this method, and obviously, it works wonders! I also love the term "brain clutter." I'm definitely going to be using that one again! Thanks for your response. 
1 person likes this

@shynepapin101 (1879)
• United Arab Emirates
30 Mar 10
I make use of a to do list,i keep it mostly on my
1 person likes this

@shynepapin101 (1879)
• United Arab Emirates
30 Mar 10
Pda phone,i also have memos and reminders too
1 person likes this

@SViswan (12051)
• India
30 Mar 10
lol..welcome to the club. I am a 'list person'....and I need to write and organize just about everything. Of course, there are some things that I cannot organize like time spent with the kids...and being there when they need me and not at my convenience. But I make sure that the rest of the things on my 'to-do' list is done before they are up or napping so that I have the time to do things which are not really important when they are around...so that I can leave the job when they need me. But beside that, I need and do make lists for everything...including yes, my eyebrows, clipping my nails, planning meals for the next day...lol..everything.
I know some people who would go crazy doing things my way and would rather go with the flow of the day...I understand that because their kind of day drives me mad..lol This is my sanity and that is theirs.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
3 Apr 10
I'm so glad you understand my insanity - LOL! Without my lists, I can't function to my potential because I don't know what needs to be done! I can function without it, but I'm not as productive. I understand there are people who "go with the flow" as you say, but I'm a firm believer in lists because it keeps things organized. I do the same with our finances. I plan how every dollar will be spent because if I don't tell it where to go, I'll wonder where it went! The same goes with our time. If we wonder why we don't get things done, we need to look at where we're spending the majority of our time! I spend a lot of time on MyLot to see my earnings go up, but that would be bad if nothing around the house got done...LOL. Thanks for sharing your day-to-day organization with me. I feel much better about my crazy lists now! 

@GardenGerty (169439)
• United States
30 Mar 10
I can understand how it makes you feel in control of your life to have your lists and that is terrific. It used to make me feel like a failure. All the things that I do not accomplish. For a while I listed what I did accomplish, as that made me feel better. I could have all kinds of lists at this point, and hubby would short circuit them. I do okay with a list for the week, that is kind of general. I also do okay if I just make a short list, finish it quickly, and then make a new one. Everyone is different. Hubby absolutely hates lists, he will not make one, and will not do anything I put on one for him.
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
3 Apr 10
I understand where you're coming from completely. Sometimes when I make these lists, I get completely overwhelmed and don't get one thing done from the list. However, other times (I would probably say most times) it is a good tool for me. I understand how it isn't always a positive tool for others because we each get our things done and find our motivation in different ways.
@hellcowboy (7374)
• United States
3 Apr 10
That sounds cool,I have never had a iPod or anything like that but I am sure it makes things easier when it comes to making lists,and I can relate to you because I am very organized but I think that is mostly because I have OCD so I like to make routines and do something certain ways,and sometimes I will write a To Do list of things to do,like last time we went on vacation it was me,my brother,my mom,and my grandma,and I made a To Pack list for me,and for my brother,lol he loved that it was like thirty things,most of the time I just make lists in my head,and then check them off in my mind when they are done.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
3 Apr 10
I seriously need to start making lists of things to take on vacation. I'm constantly forgetting to pack things! That's a great idea. I need to put it on my computer and have a checklist so I can check them off when they're packed. I will use this next time! It really does make life easier when we can have these lists and know what needs to be done each day rather than just to wing it. My iPod Touch is a great tool, but you could also use something like your phone or computer. There are ways of making lists there, too, or perhaps you could just add reminders on your phone as you need to get things done. If you ever get an iPod Touch, you will love it!






