The ToDo List
I am a strong believer in having a ToDo list for every day. The activities in my list are mostly planned over the weekend or at least on the previous day. This is a habit that I inculcated when I quit my job and stepped into the world of entrepreneurship.
When you work from home and your deadlines are not set by someone else, you tend to take charge. Though the entrepreneurial venture had to be closed down , this habit has stayed on.
People make ToDo lists for various reasons. My ToDo list ensures that I have a productive day. I divide the activities for the day into 4 main categories:
- Home : This very broad category includes everything that has to be done for the smooth running of the home. Grocery shopping, Cooking, Cleaning, Bill payments etc. fall into this category.
I depend on a master list to decide the activities under this category. For example, the cooking activity for the day is pulled out from the Weekly Menu . The Cleaning activity for the day is pulled out from the Weekly cleaning List that is fixed. - Work : This category currently includes my blog related activities and any other voluntary activities that I have signed up for.
Since I publish one blog every week, I work towards that during the week. I keep aside a certain amount of time for these activities on a daily basis. - Personal : This category includes my exercise routine, the movie time or the outing/chatting with a friend that I have planned for the day.
I have realized that when it comes to exercises, it is important to have a different type of exercise daily to keep oneself motivated. Hence my current schedule includes 2 days of run/walk, 2 days of Yoga based exercises and 2 days of HIIT/Aerobics. I keep changing this based on how my body feels. - Readiness : I devote a chunk of time for making sure that I am ready for the activities of the next day.
This includes meal prepping for the menu of next day, making the list of items to be bought etc. Devoting time for readiness related activities helps in reducing the time to be spent on that particular activity the next day.
You could be running a company or running a home successfully. The feeling of having accomplished the tasks that you have taken in hand is really wonderful. Checking the items off the list feels so good.
The practice of making a list and doing things accordingly is neither boring nor difficult. Remember that none of the items in the list are carved in stone. Some of them get carried forward to the next day and some get changed as the day unfolds. Nevertheless, it gives a framework to act within. It gives a point to start and most importantly it gives a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
Comments
I agree with list making if only to have the joy of checking things off the list. There truly is something so very satisfying about checking things off a list.
Yes. It is so satisfying.
The todo list helps me stay focused!
Reading your blog by Saturday is one item in my weekend todo…and I have done it on Friday itself this time:)
When I complete something before it goes to the list, I still write it there to happily strike off the next minute 🙂 🙂
Now that’s OCD some may say!
I love doing that too saras. Writing it and immediately striking it off.
I write on my hand too🙈🙈
I hope you complete the list before it gets washed off Shalini!! 🙂 🙂
Hahaha… If I forget to do it, then I consider it not important…
This is just what I need now.. Making a to do list 😊
Yes I realized that when we were talking Vanitha.. 🙂
It was really nice reading yr blog and learning that u are so organised. My to do list always remains as to do itself..hoping to make it work after reading ur blog..thanks!😊
Write it big and stick it on your fridge. Am sure you will make it work.. 🙂
I admire how organized you are, Deepa.
Thanks Anneli. This is the only I can work.
Thank you for the reminder to be better organized, Deepa. The great thing about making a list is that it makes a future goal tangible and achievable.
Yes Joe, and the joy of ticking things off the list.. 🙂
I write to do lists and have also been known to write something I’ve achieved already so I can tick it off. Your organisation, however, sounds as if it is on a different level to mine!
That sounds all nice and organised Deepa. It’s a great feeling obviously to go down the list and see things getting done!
I make To Do lists when I have guests over or things like that : when the daily routine tends to get upset, you know. That;s when I need reminders.
Nice reading your post. It was well put and as organised as your day!!
I need reminders on a daily basis Radhika.. 🙂
Right there with you!
Yes I agree that making to do lists helps our days flow smoother. I have a Gratitude Journal and at the beginning of each week I write what I want to achieve for the week ahead. I always review it to see how I’ve gone at the end of the week. Daily To Do lists are a necessity. Great post. 🙂
Thanks Miriam . Gratitude journal is such a good idea .