Using “The List” to Stay On Target and Keep On Task

nRemembering with a Running TabulationnnI am naturally a list person and a planner. I have a running tabulation of things I want to buy, places I would like to visit, projects I plan to do and personal goals I would like to achieve. I call it “The List”. I add to “The List” when I think of things that are important to me and I cross thing off “The List” as I buy or achieve things. I keep “The List” because I have so many motivations that the only way to remember what are my goals is to write them down. nnnKeeping Me On TasknnWriting down my priorities has the added advantage of keeping me on task. There are so many things is my daily life that are calling for my attention constantly. It takes all my concentration and determination to stride forward in a consistent manner. These things may be interesting or inspiring but they often distract me from my long or short term goals. Writing down my weekly goals on Sunday night and then referring to “The List” all week helps me immensely. “The List” will remind me to work out, reconcile my check book, get new tires, finish a project at work, contact a friend or wash the car. “The List” keeps me on track. Otherwise I would go straight home from work and forget to mail that package or pick up cat food because I am totally out. nnnPrioritizing and Reprioritizingn nReviewing my list can help me assess what is highest priority regarding all my goals and projects at any given time. I may plan to go away for the weekend and then replacing the water heater moves higher on “The List”. I may have a project I am all set to start and then after reviewing what needs to be taken care of first, I realize it goes way down on “The List”. Buying a reliable vehicle is higher importance on my list than that new bedroom set I really, really, really want. The one that I already picked out and can imagine in my bedroom looking so good. That one. So I have the urge to buy that bedroom set over a reliable car or some minor debts that ironically, probably add up to what the bed set costs. Doing the mature and sensible thing isn’t always fun and easy but using “The List” has certainly simplify my decision making process. nnnnSaving Time and MoneynnUsing “The List” keeps me from spending time and money on things that are not furthering my original intentions. When I forget what I am doing, I refer to “The List”. When I cannot think straight, I refer to “The List”. When I want or plan to spend money I refer to “The List”. No matter what the political or economic temperature “The List” reassures me. It is my insurance policy for finishing what I started and remembering what is important to me. nnnUse “The List” for:n? Remembering all your on going short and long term goalsn? Keeping you on task all weekn? Prioritizing and reprioritizing as plans changen? Saving time and Moneynnnn