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CONFESSIONS OF A LIST-MAKER

5/26/2020

22 Comments

 
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​Back in the ‘80s, while interviewing for the position of administrative assistant to the director of R&D of an engineering company, I confessed I was an enthusiastic list-maker. Turned out my preoccupation with creating order via lists was exactly the quality my new boss valued the most in an assistant. Sometimes being an obsessive-compulsive control freak can work in one’s favor. Offering to wash my new boss’s Audi probably didn’t hurt my chances either. 

So, yes, I admit it. I’m one of those people. I’ve been fixated on creating lists as long as I can remember. My mother once told me that I even made lists as a child. She didn’t say it with a smile on her face either. I think I might have been “helping” her organize her life at the time. My mother wasn’t nearly as appreciative as that R&D director, whose own boss would just shake his head at the number of projects I was juggling and keeping on target. 

But back to everyday lists. Lists keep chaos at bay. Multi-tasker that I am, trust me on this one. Lists set attainable goals. When faced with an overwhelming project, breaking that large project into manageable bite-size pieces, and then ordering those pieces on a list, saves your sanity and narrows your focus. Mind fog will clear and the path before you will smooth. But the best part is the sense of accomplishment one gets as each finished task is crossed off, edging you closer to that finish line. I’ve even been known to add something I just finished to my list purely for the satisfaction of crossing it off. Did I really just say that out loud? Can’t take it back now.

For several weeks sheltering in place has cleared my calendar. No schedules, no appointments, no lunch dates, no writer’s group meetings, no dance lessons to work errands around, equals no need for a list to keep me on track and organized. But, here’s the thing: what I’ve learned about myself is that, no matter how minor the task, if it’s not written down, it’s not likely to get done. Without my lists I become an “it-can-wait-until-tomorrow” slug. I’ve discovered I need my lists to be productive, and I guess my need to feel productive is stronger than I thought. It’s that Protestant work ethic that was drilled into me from childhood: idle hands and the devil’s work. 

Can you guess where this is going? Yup, back to the discipline of list-making. I wrote my list for yesterday, and by late afternoon I’d crossed off cutting back aloe vera stalks, learning how to use my new Kindle, writing a check to pay my VISA bill, throwing in a couple of loads of laundry, putting together a casserole for dinner, and hitting the plant nursery. Only then did I feel justified in joying a cup of tea and a reading a newly purchased book. 

But one tired day later I’ve decided to take a step back. I think Mom might have overdone drilling me with that whole guilt-inducing, Protestant-work-ethic thing. It’s like being forbidden dessert until one’s plate is practically licked clean. Sometimes pie for breakfast is okay. Right? So I just wrote my list for today, and it includes “time in the spa”. Maybe it’s okay to work in a line item dedicated to recharging. Maybe. My very meticulous mother must be rolling over in her grave. 
​
(swim skirt floating in spa)

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22 Comments
Sara Kerry link
5/26/2020 12:21:40 pm

Maybe I should start lists as I always 'leave it till tomorrow'. I admit that when I have done a 'to do' list it does tend to get done. And yes, its very satisfying ticking it off 😊

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Lynn
5/26/2020 04:48:51 pm

I literally can't function with a list. I'll even have a master list, and break off smaller ones (a list for the week and then break tasks down by day). It's crazy, but for me it works :) Thanks for reading my ramblings !

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susan
5/26/2020 12:26:03 pm

I love my lists and so does our new nanny. We both use the Color Notes app to share our many lists with one another.

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Lynn
5/26/2020 04:53:35 pm

That Color Notes app sounds interesting ! Congrats on new nanny.

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Danny O
5/26/2020 01:21:38 pm

" My mother once told me that I even made lists as a child. She didn’t say it with a smile on her face either

"I’ve even been known to add something I just finished to my list purely for the satisfaction of crossing it off. Did I really just say that out loud? "

These each brought chuckles to my visage. I often write down w/ satisfaction what was accomplished that day, but generally I hit the next day totally focussed on only one or two critical success factors CSF that must be accomplished by agreed upon customer or vendor deadline, taking precedence over any list of tasks other than the CSF

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lynn
5/26/2020 04:50:17 pm

LOL Danny. So appreciate you reading my "stuff."

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Nancy
5/26/2020 01:49:55 pm

I make lists when I have several meetings/errands coming together, or planning something big, like my Christmas to-do list, or when I was planning my mother’s 90th birthday reception, almost 17 years ago now!

Now, when I have no meetings or errands, I just make a mental note of what, if anything, I want to do the next day. Yesterday, it was do laundry and take the garbage out. Today, take a walk (nixed, too rainy) and make Chicken Milano and a cake for dinner. The cake is done and I’m resting a bit before I start the chicken.

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lynn
5/26/2020 04:52:01 pm

YES! Especially when you're party or holiday planning. I'd forget to put up the tree if I didn't mark a date on the calendar. How wonderful that your mom made it to 90!.

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Vicky
5/26/2020 03:43:14 pm

I make lists or notes, but it’s so I can sleep at night. I always feel like I’m “forgetting something” if I don’t write it down, and it like tickles my brain. If I write it down, on a list or a sticky or whatever, then I can forget about it until I can deal with said thing :D

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Lynn
5/26/2020 04:52:50 pm

Actually, that's a great idea. When everything you have to do the next day is running through your head, clearing it out with a list can help so much.

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Paula Johnson link
5/26/2020 05:24:24 pm

I love lists and keep my reference lists in OmniOutliner and my project lists in OmniFocus. Once in a while I go old-school and break out pen and paper.

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lynn
5/27/2020 08:13:10 am

You are so much deeper in the digital world than I will ever be: paper lists, small book style address book, compact paper calendar. You will be surprised to know, though, that I just bought a Kindle. Thought it was time I got exposed to what e-books are all abou!

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Cheryl
5/26/2020 05:24:48 pm

Enjoy reading your posts Lynn. I often but not always make lists and when I do usually add an item I already completed. I figure it would’ve been on the list had I made it earlier in the day ..so it counts and I feel accomplished checking it off. Glad to read I’m not alone in that!

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Lynn
5/27/2020 08:14:22 am

Nice to know you are a fellow list-maker :) After 21 years my obsession is finally rubbing off on my husband!

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D
5/27/2020 01:35:48 pm

Lists are good, but when the list requires at least 18 hours of work and you try to complete it in 8 hrs, OMG, someone is exhausted and fried. suggestion is make sure the list can be completed in 4 or 5 hours so that when you find something else to do while you are there, it still can be completed in 8 hours. Pushing through a headache or aching back to complete the list may not be the healthiest thing to do.
Love you Sweetheart!

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DannyO
5/27/2020 06:51:20 pm

heh heh

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dannyo
5/27/2020 06:56:58 pm

List making instructions, how-to's and recommendations- that's what I'm talking about

Lynn
5/27/2020 04:11:57 pm

Can any one guess who this comment is from :) Sigh!

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Marilyn
5/31/2020 08:27:09 am

OMG......I've made lists for years for the very reasons you mentioned. It does help organize things that need to get done that I might push aside. My favoite list came from my sister. She and her astronomer husband lived in Chile so when they came home to Tucson, she would bring a list of things she needed to get while here. It was written on the cardboard insert in a package on nylons! It was completely filled in her tiny writing! Just cracked me up. I've never been that compulsive, but then I've never lived where I couldn't get things. Love the blog!

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Lynn
5/31/2020 10:29:22 am

I'm so pleased you follow my blog ramblings and equally pleased that you "get" me and my lists :) Love the story about your sister.

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Rita Reynolds link
6/1/2020 12:24:24 pm

The only time I don't have to make a daily list is when I'm on vacation. Wish I didn't have to make a list every day and sometimes I don't but often live to regret it. Like when the house lights go out and my 2 flashlight batteries are dead and candles? Well, that's a joke because I looked everywhere. Well, guess what? Now I'm making a list!

Rita

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Lynn
6/8/2020 09:35:28 pm

LOL Yup. Monsoon season is coming and with that the loss of power. Gotta get those batteries on the shopping list. Good reminder.

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    Lynn Nicholas - AUTHOR oF Dancing Between The Beats

    My blog is a window into my world. My slice-of-life narratives are triggered by life's
    moments  that transform or reveal.
    Please check out my published short fiction. Most stories are character-driven, situational and, just like life, sometimes humorous. Click for Amazon author page 

    LOOK for Dancing Between the Beats on Amazon and Barnes&Noble.com 

    —Lynn Nicholas

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