I read somewhere that chronic list-making is one of the most common attributes among successful people. (You know the type – so annoying). It’s because they get an odd thrill out of crossing items off the list, thereby spurring them onto the next item on the list, thereby making them super productive and efficient and successful and better at life in general. People who make lists get what they want. People who make lists are never disappointed. People who make never have to feel their leg hair poking through their yoga pants in winter because they are soooo on top of it.
Not surprising to many, my current note-taking process does not follow such an efficient format. Or any format. In the past I would just scribble things on a single sheet of paper until the paper filled, almost like a patchwork quilt. Then I got a start phone and just make random unorganized notes of all sorts, one after the other, sometimes several dozen a day – everything from work stuff to blog stuff to stuff I heard people talking about on the bus – watch this program, make this recipe, try this restaurant, record this show. One day I was like, Oh crap, my iphone learned how to spell Cumberbatch, and I knew we were in an unhealthy co-dependent relationship.
To get my list-making skills in better shape, I am doing two things.
Thing one – I got N+otes – it’s a phone app that clusters lists of lists in an organized fashion. You can add or subtract stuff to a list at any time. It’s annoying because it takes me four clicks to write down a simple item to get at the grocery store, but it’s neat because my grocery list is there for adding/subtracting at any time. Great tool for bloggers. Pretty cool, and way less complicated than some outlook calendaring stuff that makes me feel bad about myself for not setting a deadline on when to switch the lint trap.
Thing Two – I’m using verbs. Yes, verbs. Studies have shown that if you start an item on your to-do list with a verb, you are significantly more likely to do it. So, instead of writing MILK, you write BUY MILK. Instead of writing DRY CLEANING, you write PICK UP DRY CLEANING TUESDAY, and so on. Be specific. The video above does a better job of explaining it, but I have already found that it sorta does work. Nifty trick, huh?
Okay. That’s all I know about this subject, but I thought it was neat so I wanted to share. If you know anything about being more efficient and productive, feel free to tell me because I could use all the help I can get.
rebecca kerwick
My husband (okay, everyone else who sees it too) laughs at me because I haven’t found a list app I like for my phone yet. I have an itty bitty notepad on my desk that is the perfect size for taping to the back of my iphone. I currently have 5 lists taped to the back and there is no better feeling than ripping one list off the back of the phone when done. Say what you will…..
PEACHES
Hahahaha. *gasp for air* Hahahaha.
Oh my goodness. That is dedication to the paper arts. Love it!
Anonymous
Whaa?! I thought I was the only one! Yes, the tiny little yellow post-it notes…I stick them on the back of my phone too! hmm, I wonder how many other people do this…
C.Ware
I’m thinking you need a dress with elbow holes. Anyone who wears a dress with elbow holes even LOOKS 10x more efficient, so while we’re pushing our hands through the length of an entire sleeve, her hands have already accomplished one sleeve, seen the light of day, and tackled a second sleeve. Wearing a dress like that would probably make you feel more accomplished.
PEACHES
I could not agree more. Elbow holes are the secret. I’m a little angry they kept this secret from us so long.
Simone Lenssing
I use the Carrot app, but it is a bit less sophisticated than the one you described. I like it because it leaves snarky comments, if it thinks you have not completed enough things on you to-do list, so I try to get stuff done just to please Carrot. I know, pathetic, but what can I say, it works for me and gives me a chuckle to boot!
PEACHES
I love it when my apps talk back to me 😉
Joelle Lefebvre
I like Rebecca’s reply. I am old-school in this. I have a severe mental problem that makes it extremely difficult to focus, remember or concentrate. I use post-its, I have them everywhere! The bright colours mean I tend to notice them better and I find the act of writing things out by hand makes it easier to remember later. Rebecca has it right, studies have shown over and over that taking notes when someone is speaking causes you to remember things easier because you have taken in the information in more than one way. By writing things out your brain has to register what is being written and translate it into marks on a page. This actually sticks in your mind better than typing something into an app.
Try saying out loud the things you are writing down, this once again gives you that hear and write scenario that increases memory plus as an added bonus you get speach which also increases likelihood you’ll remember what you said out loud. Another trick is that if you hear something repeated 8 times you are more likely to believe it is true and remember it…so say it out loud! “buy milk, buy milk, buy milk…”
I seem to recall a little cartoon from the 80’s with a boy going to the store for milk, bread and eggs chanting the list repeatedly an his way to the store. He got mixed up by things he passed on the way and ended up getting all the wrong items, but that was just comic relief.
PEACHES
I think I remember that cartoon too…
That is a great tip about saying things out loud AND writing them down. For me it’s much easier to remember things I type rather than write, but to each their own. There is something of a ‘clicking’ when things are said aloud. I should try this more often. The cat will think I’m nuts, but so be it!
Anonymous
I use post-its too. I keep a planner, and write a new list at the start of every week of things I need to get done that week and cross away as I work through it. Then take it off and add a new post-it the next week.
PEACHES
You sound like one of these efficient types 🙂
Kara DeCarlo
I am a crazy list maker. I make lists about the lists that I have.
PEACHES
You overachiever, you!
Deb
I’m not so sure on this theory. I am a big list maker from way back, and I’m not always on top of everything and efficient about it. Sure, I will eventually get things done, but it ain’t always pretty in the process. (And I am one of those who derives great joy in marking a big, fat red line across an item on a list, just because it may be the one thing I managed to get done that day. Gotta take the thrills where ya can.)
PEACHES
Agreed — get your thrills where you can:)
jennifer niles
yes… i am a list maker as well…. mostly. the only problem is when you are a list maker most of the time and then you do a big job i.e. clean the chicken coop that has needed to be cleaned for weeks… and you consult said list… and you haven’t written yourself a note to clean the coop… it is maddening. nothing to cross off.. i have tried writing the job post completion, just to immediately cross it off …. but it is not quite the same. i think i have issues. or maybe i don’t. hmmm.
Susan
I love list…Me and my daughter even love more..are list we find a target or walmart of other peoples list and what they need to get. A little glimpse in to thier life. One time we found one..Get Jims glasses.. We always remember that..I guess you had to be there. Love this post!
Ross
I list items hoping to save neurons and time. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not.
In my travel bag I put the list of things I cannot forget for one night out (good for two or three or more nights out, as well). I also put in the bag a smaller bag for pills and other meds, complete With the appropriate list.
I write “buy” lists and “to do” lists and extemporary miscellaneous lists I keep in my pockets. I write Items in Italian – my motherrtongue – or English depending on word length and when I need to save space I write it in “stenography” (is it the right word?).
Then I just have to remember that I must read my lists!
BTW: very nice blog! I like it so much and, since I am not exactly the queenie of DIY, I will suggest it to some of my friends who can appreciate and try your tutorials.