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If you love my lists, hate my lists, would like me to make you a list, have a list to share or just about anything else – I would love to hear from you!
Email me at Paula@listproducer.com
List Producer
I'm a compulsive list maker and you should be too!
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As a parent, I – with my wife of course – use lists to make sure that our boys learn their morning routines. For example:
When you wake up…
1) Go potty.
2) Wash hands.
3) Pick out your outfit for the day.
4) Get dressed.
5) Go downstairs and sit in your seat for breakfast.
The point is that even the littlest, least mature humans thrive on lists. They provide structure, allow for positive routines to develop and allow the brain and emotions to focus on more critical issues. A nasty side effect of always being connected to the outside world via technology is that our personal to-do lists get scrambled with the ever-penetrating demands of the outside world.
Cheers, Joe
great points! Thank you!
Dear Paula,
I love this concept… your focus! As a mother of three and full time teacher, if not for daily lists, I would be seriously less than successful in all my life roles. Things to do at work, where I need to be for my children, my husband, personal business…personal life… But perhaps of particular note…worth mentioning is that throughtout my crazy paced life having that “to do list” enabled me to remember to make routine but important doctor’s appointments. Last year, I found out that I have a precancerous condition that I am now able, through doctor care,to take precautionay measures to reduce my chances of developing advanced breast cancer down the line. Who knew that a simle list reminding me to make that call…make that visit….could save my life? And yet, I beieve it just may have. Additionally, I can’t say enough about the value of instilling list making in children. I teach 10/11 year olds …making lists enables and empowers them to prioritize their TTDs and develop responsibilty traits that can be used as reference points all their lives. We live in an age where feeling overwhelmed can paralyze us and create real obstacles to our success and our ability to become the best possible versions of ourselves. I applaude you in your quest to enable a population to take better control of their lives….. here’s to empowring ourselves, one list at a time!
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! And for sharing your personal story. Its truly amazing what a checklist or to-do list can do! As far as being life-saving….wow – I couldn’t agree more. Did you know that there are checklists in the O.R.? Or that doctors use them to help avoid infections in patients? I’m reading a wonderful book about it right now called “The Checklist Manifesto” by Atul Gawande. Lists are powerful tools. Its amazing!
You are what my mother always dreamed of being! I will share this blog with her for further inspiration and validation for waking us up every Saturday morning with a list a mile long of what to do, while editing the list she made daily for herself. From as early as I can remember, I kept asking myself, “How can you have a new list everyday when you checked everything off from yesterday’s list?”.
Amanda- thanks so much for checking out my site! I’m so happy I would make your mom proud! None of her list making rubbed off on you? I get it from my dad.
I especially appreciated the list posted by Dr. Nuccitelli.
I think that often times we make a ton of lists of things we must accomplish for the designated time period. However, what do we do if we get stuck in a “rut” and cannot get those things accomplished?
I think Dr. Nuccitelli gave some great ideas as to how get over those days where you feel like you are constantly being set back. As a full time mother, student, and professional I have those days too often. The list of how to get over a set back reminded me to think positively and to be optimistic for tomorrow!
Hi Candice — what a wonderful comment. I’m so glad that Dr. Nuccitelli’s guest post helped you out. He gives some great advice. Thanks for reading!
Hi Paula;
I like your website and info a lot! Good job.
What type of electronic system have you found that combines a To Do List and Calendar in one? I’m searching for the perfect one. Thanks, Linda
Hi Linda–
Thanks so much for the kind words and for reading my blog! I have been using Outlook for quite sometime at work to manage my calendar and to-do lists. But I’ve also found that Google Calendar and to-do lists are helpful. I’ve tested out a few apps for to-do lists and I like Evernote and Wunderlist but I’m still in search of the perfect app. Hope these suggestions help you a bit!
Best,
Paula
I’ve also become a compulsive list maker and, like yourself, have found it brings enormous focus to my life. Another aspect I’ve found useful is scheduling the time in my day and figuring what task will be done at different points. Thinking it through before the day begins means that I don’t have to go through the “What shall I do now?” dilemma. The decision’s already been made – just get the stuff out and get on with it!
Hi Fletcher –
Thanks for your comment! I agree — I think when you have a “roadmap” it makes life so much simpler! Happy Listing!
Best,
Paula
I’ve poked around trying to find definitive information regarding the what’s and how’s of your list making ideas to no avail. I also looked around for any reference to David Allen’s Getting Things Done (GTD) as it is based on list making – just more definitive lists that do not repel you. I’d be curious to know if you have any knowledge or experience with GTD.
Hi Steve –
Thanks so much for checking out my blog! What kind of information are you specifically looking for? I’m sure I can help you out!
Best,
Paula
Hi Paula,
I very much enjoyed your Compulsive List Making webinar last month, and thank you for presenting it.
Just in case you haven’t heard about it, this cloud-based to-do list sounds promising. It integrates with your Google Calendar: http://www.gqueues.com/
I receive no compensation from them, just thought it might be of interest.
Hope this helps. Keep those great newsletters coming!
All the best,
Lance
Hey Lance – thanks so much for attending the list-making webinar! Glad you found it useful. This site looks really interesting — I hadn’t heard of it but I will absolutely check it out. Thank you for that!
Thanks for your blog on not letting your to-do list bully you. Here’s my story about your #1.
I consider my sister a genius in many ways and one of those is how she took charge of her to-do list when she was working, getting her second college degree (summa cum laude!) and spending time with her husband. He worked on their cars and often put parts in the tub in the bathroom off the garage. It was a seldom-used room, but she wanted it as nice as possible in case someone did need it. She also knew she had only so much time and energy in a day and that she loved the feeling of marking everything off her list each day. So, instead of overreaching, which would have resulted in inevitable failure and disappointment, she decided to include “scrub 1/4 of the tub” on her list. Brilliant!
Hi Deanne –
Thanks so much for reading my blog! Glad you found it helpful. I LOVE this story about your sister — she’s a smart lady! It’s all about making small wins and setting yourself up for success! Bravo!