8 Reasons To Keep A “To Do” List

Try it; When you’re done reading this, make a list of everything you want to do tomorrow and see how relieved you are going to feel and how relaxed your mind is going to be.

When we are constantly thinking ahead of everything that we have to do and hoping that we don’t forget anything, our mind becomes clogged and this causes stress.

Making a To-Do List will:

1. Help you take control of your time. You know how much time something will take and you can plan accordingly.

2. Give a one-glance look at everything you want to accomplish. You won’t forget things if they are on your list. One glance lets you know everything that there is to do.

3. Help to eliminate mind-clutter by keeping track of odds and ends. Once it is written down you can forget it – just follow your list! This eliminates the stress of ‘forgetting the important stuff’.

4. Improve your memory by writing everything down. Everyone knows that when you write something down you remember it longer. This improves your handwriting and helps you remember things
longer.

5. Get rid of mental stress by emptying your brain of trivial items. This gives the brain time to relax, thus eliminating stress and mental fatigue.

6. Help you to schedule time for breaks and relaxation. Yes, you do deserve breaks during the day! You need to schedule this just like you do your work. It’s not against the law to relax; it will boost your energy level and give you time to recharge.

7. Help you to focus on the important things. It also helps you to get the most important things done first; they will always be at the top of your list because they bother you the most.

8. Give you the satisfaction of crossing things off your list… This will give you a total feeling of accomplishment. When you look at everything that you managed to accomplish in an hour, a half day, a full day; you will be amazed at how good you are. This will make you wonder why you haven’t done this sooner and will make you want to continue through the whole house.

Keep a small notebook or memo book in your purse or pocket and as you think of things that you want to get done, add them to your list. You can subdivide this list later such as; home, work, maintenance, appointments, etc.

It will free up space in your mind so that you can concentrate on the ‘job at hand’. You can give each item your full attention without the stress of worrying that you will forget something.

Jan Hayner is a Professional Organizer and creator of www.organizingandcleaning.com, where she offers tips, hints and shortcuts to everyday problems with organizing your home, work, family and life.