Say yes to lists
Gary Bloomer | SHAKING THE TREE #173
If you’re serious about creating content on a regular basis, you need to say yes to lists.
Lists help you organize your thoughts.
Lists help you keep things on track.
Lists help you prioritize.
Lists give you a sense of accomplishment.
A list can be something as simple as a series of Post-It notes tacked to the wall in front of you. Or it can be a simple bullet list—shopping list style—or it can be a digital list on your phone.
Whatever works for you, lists—that is, written lists—are a simple yet practical way to keep tabs on your essential, reminders, tasks, and chores.
I used to hate making lists: they struck me as a complete waste of time and effort.
That was, until I missed a few key deadlines. I thought I could keep all the plates up in the air, spinning on their related sticks. Nope. Oh, it worked for a while, but then I got cocky and a little bit careless. That’s when things fell by the wayside.
Whoops.
After that, I decided it was time to get serious about lists. Here’s what I learned:
Lists keep me organized and make it earier for me to prioritize:
Clarity: Lists break down complex tasks or information into manageable chunks, increasing clarity and reducing overwhelm.
Focus: By visually outlining steps or items, lists help you stay focused on what needs to be accomplished.
Prioritization: Lists allow you to rank items by importance, ensuring that the most crucial tasks are tackled first.
Lists have improved my memory:
External Storage: Lists act as an external memory, freeing up mental space for more creative thinking and problem-solving.
Enhanced Recall: The act of writing something down can aid in memorization, as it engages multiple senses.
Easy Reference: Lists provide a readily available reference point for quick access to information.
Lists have increased my productivity:
Reduced Procrastination: Breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can reduce feelings of overwhelm and procrastination.
Improved Time Management: Lists help you allocate time effectively by providing a clear roadmap for your activities.
Increased Accountability: Having a visual representation of your goals makes it easier to track progress and stay accountable.
Lists have cut down on my stress levels:
Reduced Anxiety: By visually organizing thoughts and tasks, lists can help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.
Sense of Control: Lists provide a sense of control and order, which can be particularly helpful during times of uncertainty.
Lists have made me more creative:
Idea Generation: Lists can be used to brainstorm ideas, capture thoughts, and explore different options.
Mind Mapping: Lists can be easily transformed into mind maps for more visual and creative brainstorming.
Lists have improved my communicaiton skills:
Clear Instructions: Lists provide clear and concise instructions for others, minimizing confusion and misunderstandings.
Shared To-Do Lists: Shared lists facilitate collaboration and teamwork by ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Meeting Agendas: Lists can be used to create meeting agendas, keeping discussions focused and productive.
These days, I make a list of everything I need to do on the next work day they day before. That way, I keep a running tally of what needs doing and when it needs to be done by.
Ultimately, the importance of lists lies in our willingness to write them and in their ability to enhance our lives in countless ways—from increasing productivity and reducing stress to improving our memory and boosting our creativity.
List have changed the way I work, which means the way I work has also changed.
These days I’m more productive, better organized, and less stressed. And it’s all because of of the habit of creating and using simple lists.
How could lists help you?
As always, thanks for reading.
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P.S. Next time on Shaking the Tree … Narratives vs storytelling
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Originally from the U.K., Gary Bloomer is a writer, branding advocate, marketing specialist, and an award-winning graphic designer.
His design work has been included in Creative Review (one of the UK’s largest design magazines). Since 2009, he has answered over 5,000 marketing and business questions in the Know-How Exchange of MarketingProfs.com, placing him among the top 3% of contributors. He lives in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.