Types of Lists to Keep You Organized
One catch-all to-do list can make you feel crazy. Segmenting lists by category provides a time and place for each thought and activity to keep you organized and less overwhelmed. Find the right lists that work for your lifestyle. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Household Lists:
Grocery List: Keep an ongoing list of items needed at the grocery store. I keep a magnetic list on the refrigerator with a pen attached so that it’s easily accessible when anyone notices an ingredient needs to be added. See our household sense of humor.
Weekly Meal Plan List: However simple or elaborate the meal, write out what your dinner plans are for the week. While things come up, having an idea of what the week holds will help you not overspend or have too much food waste.
Household Maintenance List: All those random chores to do around the house, keep a list. I like to pace myself and do a couple things each day so that no one day feels like a lot of extra work on top of my daily job.
Professional Lists:
Weekly Work To-Do List: At the end of each Friday, I write my following week’s work to-dos. The list is added to as the week goes on, but writing as much as I know down on Friday helps me begin unplugging for the weekend.
Things to Tell My Manager List: To maximize one-on-one meetings with a manager, keep a list of any questions or notes you need to share. Then, go through the list when you do have conversations with your manager. Some things can’t wait, but not everything needs to be shared in real time.
Stretch Goals List: Keep account of your “stretch projects” for the company and professional development goals that are outside of your daily duties.
Positive Feedback: Save positive feedback in a folder or document. Not only is it encouraging to you individually, but it can be used as qualitative research to prove a point.
Personal Lists:
Personal To-Do List: Just like the Weekly Work To-Do List, at the end of each Friday, I write my following week’s personal to-dos. The list is added to as the week goes on, but I take an initial note of all the things that I need to complete in the “personal” category.
Conversation List: “Remember to tell so-and-so _____.” Maybe this sounds a little cold, but it’s easy to forget updates we need to tell friends and loved ones. And, if you know they’re at work, traveling, or in the middle of something, texting or calling as soon as a thought comes to mind isn’t always necessary. I keep a notes section in my phone at times.
Local Outings List: When you see or hear of fun activities or places to eat in your local area, keep tabs on them. For family outings, date nights, or time with friends, the hangout time doesn’t always coincide with the time we learn about new places to spend quality time together. Make note of local outings so you can suggest them when loved ones want to spend time together.
Events Lists:
Packing List: This list is two-fold for me. I make a list of all the things I should be sure to pack before I leave for a trip and then a list of the most essential things to make sure I have in my bag on the way back. If I lose some shampoo, that’s fine, but I definitely don’t want to forget my glasses or electronics.
Holiday and Birthday Gifts List: Our family celebrates multiple birthdays around the Christmas holiday. It’s a full gift-buying season. For the last couple of years, I’ve kept a list with every person’s name we buy gifts for in a Christmas and Birthday section. As soon as I have an idea of what to get that person or buy that person’s gift, I write down the item(s) purchased to keep track of everything.
Things to Do Before _____ List: If you’re hosting an event or getting ready to go to a wedding, birthday party, vacation, etc., keep a list of all the things you need to do before the event.
Motivational Lists:
Goals List: Make a list of quarterly goals and/or annual goals. This isn’t your daily to-do list. Think about goals that are a little more large, like “I want to run a marathon this year.” Then, your weekly to-do list might say, “run three days this week.”
Annual Books Read List: Write down the name of each book you read after you finish it. At the end of the year or throughout the year, read through the list and remind yourself of the stories you experienced and the information learned.
Gratitude List: Put words to things you’re grateful for. Learn more with these five tools to help mark gratefulness.
Inspirational Quotes List: Read or hear a quote that moved you? Write it down and go back to it occasionally for further personal reflection or share with someone you think would appreciate the quote as well.