Why I Create A Daily To-Do List
Pulled in every direction.
Wondering if you will ever get everything done.
Wishing that you had a day to just accomplish everything on the agenda.
Wanting a vacation from the craziness of life.
Do these scenarios sound familiar to you? Do you have a never-ending to-do list that just seems to be getting longer and longer?
I am a do-er, but I am also forgetful (believe it or not). Many might say I am not, but it is because I live off of to-do lists. If a task or grocery item is not on a to-do or to-buy list, it’s just not going to happen; that is why I find so much value in lists. So if you are wanting to become less forgetful, become more intentional, and start accomplishing the things that you really want to accomplish, consider starting a to-do list!
Here is how I manage our home and my life with lists:
1. Start by grabbing a pen and paper – make the paper fun so that it is something delightful to look at and also something you will not lose.
2. Each week, I start off by writing down the things that I would like to get done. I do not put dates or times next to them because I want to allow room for flexibility. If I have such a strict structure on my to-do list and I can’t accomplish it all, I want to be okay with that!
3. Think through your week. Think about every aspect of your life.
- Meals – what do you want to make? Is there an event you have to make something for?
- Work – do you have to go in or leave early one day? What phone calls do you need to make on your lunch break? Do you have some lunch ideas?
- Family – are all of the events on your calendar? Do you need to figure out rides for anyone?
- Home – do you have any projects you want to finish or places you want to declutter or clean?
- Miscellaneous – do you have any loose ends you need to tie up? Any gifts to buy or cards to send? Change the oil in your car?
These are just some ideas to get you thinking. You might think that after answering some of these questions, that your to-do list is going to be a mile long. Honestly, it may be long at first just because you have a lot of little things to do. Though, as you work through your list, you will realize that some weeks there may not be any pressing things to-do!
Now the question is WHEN to accomplish everything on the list? Since I have started a weekly to-do list, whenever I have 5 minutes, I look at the list. Can I quick send a card? Can I make a grocery list? Can I file some papers? Can I clean out the refrigerator? You would be surprised at what you can accomplish in a short amount of time. In the end, you will see your to-do list dwindling and you will find yourself having more freedom to do the things you want to do.
Do not let a to-do list overwhelm you. Think about the things that you can accomplish, how freeing it will feel when you DO get things things done, and how organized your life will be!
