L is for Lists.
Reasons why making a list is a good thing to do:
- They don't need an introductory preamble, you just get straight into the meat of the list.
- The act of writing a list can itself make you feel more in control and that you've started doing something productive. Which you have.
- Writing things down stops them from cluttering up your brain.
- They're great for keeping track of all the tasks you have to do.
- And they're handy for remembering what you need to get from the supermarket.
- You can cross each item off when you complete it.
- They've got a built-in mechanism for gauging how much you've got to do.
- It's easy to add more items to the list.
- They encourage short, to-the-point entries.
- You can make lists of all sorts of things - tasks to complete; groceries to buy; people to phone; ambitions; possible baby names; conference attendees; items to pack whenever you're travelling...
- You can even make lists of lists.
And here are some reasons why, if one list is good, more lists is better:
- A separate list for each project.
- A separate list for where you use it - shopping list; phonecalls to make; things to do at the computer
- Items can live on more than one list at a time - the redecorating project list and the shopping list.
- You can focus on one list and not have to worry about the stuff that only appears on the other lists.