Speaking of Your To-Do List . . .

Dear Scholar,

I am a list maker, helping me to be organized and remember the things I must do. I make a list each day of the tasks I want to accomplish, sometimes prioritizing the tasks into groups. I give the most important tasks an A, things a little less important a B, and those items I hope to get done but could possibly wait to complete a C. Breaking up a larger task (my full day’s to-do list) into smaller pieces (3 smaller lists) helps me tackle a busy day. Another list I keep are things I want to do each day. These are things important to me and I want as part of my daily routine. This list includes things like meditation, two walks with the dog, checking online grades for my kids, and planning dinner (yep I need a reminder to fix dinner!). I post this list because these activities are important to my wellness and I want to remind myself of this. These things do not need to be on my daily to-do list. There are many ways to use lists effectively, give it a try especially if you tend to just keep a running list in your head. Writing things down helps increase the likelihood they will be accomplished. This well-known fact alone makes it worth it to make a written to do list. You can write your list on a post-it note, in a planner, on your cell phone, or on a white board. Write it down, prioritize and go! Best, Dr. J.