How to beat your to do lists

I cleaned out ONE of my bags today and found not one, not two, but four to do lists from the last week. At least three of them had the same items listed. So, did I not remember what I wrote the day before? Could I not find the list from the day before? Or am I just loca in the cabeza?

While many folks who know me would mark a huge "X" next to the latter, I decided that it was (again) a reflection of my need for organization.

I bought a project planning notebook in an effort to keep ALL of my daily to do lists in the same place. So, I can just refer to the day before rather than having to rewrite them on napkins, backs of prescriptions, or my hand! It also helps me outline long term projects.

For example, I am writing four textbook chapters that are due in July. I have another due in the fall. I have association memberships to renew soon, home projects to complete, and paperwork to file for the munchkin to start public school Pre-K.

So, instead of putting all of those things on today's to do list (and give myself palpations), I make today's MUST DO list. The ongoing stuff is usually on an ONGOING to do list. Each major category has its own page where I put everything -- phone numbers, important dates/times, and to do items. That way, it looks manageable to me.

[NOTE: A regular notebook would work as well. I bought a project planning notebook because the paper is a little thicker, there are numbers along the edge and... what the heck, the real reason is that I am an admitted stationery freak. So, do yourself a favor, get a 99 cent spiral notebook and go about your planning!]

As an aside, my 3-year-old is in a phase that makes me want to auction him off to the highest bidder at least once every four days. But, I woke up this morning, found this midget in my bed (he must have sneaked in while I was knocked out), and I remembered how cute he can really be. During this rare opportunity for observation (without him speeding past me or jumping off of some tall object), I realized that his feet are HUGE. I put the cordless phone next to his foot for effect... he's only 3. Maybe I should start being nicer to him now.





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Dr. Ty
From the GAL Blog
www.getalifecampaign.com