Organize + Energize: 5 Reasons To Use A To-Do List

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Kristin MacRae, GoLocalProv Organizing Expert

Utilizing a daily to-do list will keep you on track with tasks, save you time, decrease stress and release mental clutter. Good reasons to utilize one, right? Notice I wrote daily to-do list and not weekly to-do list. I find that when you have a weekly to-do list, everything gets crammed on this list and it can be very overwhelming. By breaking each day out, you can have a plan for each day and it won’t be as stressful to tackle and you will feel better about the week ahead.

Here are 5 reasons why you should utilize a to-do list:

1. Clear the clutter from the mind.

We are always so busy and have so much going on. Get everything out of your mind and onto paper. Keep a pen and pad handy and jot your to-do thoughts down. Keep appointments, daily chores, errands, and anything else you need to accomplish out of your mind onto your to-do list.

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2. Never ask yourself, 'What am I forgetting?'

You will never forget an appointment again. Transfer everything from your calendar to the daily to-do list. You may say this would take too much time, but on Friday afternoon, take 10 minutes to create your to-list for the following week.

3. Stay on track with household chores, and workouts.

Laundry, housecleaning, and workouts go on the daily to-do list. Write them down just as you would an appointment.

4. Feeling of accomplishment once completed.

You will love crossing off items on your to-do list. It’s a feeling of, yes, I accomplished everything I needed to today.  

5. Have an idea of where you need to be in the upcoming week.

Do you have errands to run during the week? You will see if you have to be in Cranston on Tuesday and then you can plan your errands that you have in Cranston for that day so you aren’t running all over town, wasting time and gas.

I can’t live without my to-do list. I need it to function throughout the week. Not writing to-do lists? Try writing one for the week ahead. Write it from your personal and work calendar. Feel free to use good ole’ fashioned pen and paper for your to-do list or utilize apps on your phone or tablet. It’s a personal preference. Choose the one that best suits you and the one that you will utilize.  You will be amazed at how much you will accomplish and how it will decrease your stress, save you time, and clear the mental clutter.

To get your own adorable Owl To-Do List pad, visit Boygirlparty on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/listing/61988820/owl-to-do-list-notepad-yellow-by.

 

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. Kristin has appeared on air on www.talkstreamradio.com and Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio. Her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Her CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start and is available at the following locations listed here. She is also available for organizing workshops.

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