Making a "To Do" List

Choose 3 Things a Day

A previous boss insisted we have productive days so he gave us a sheet of paper on which he had headings. He asked us to list three things we wanted to accomplish on a given day, and one thing we would break up over the many days of a month.

At the end of any week, we had accomplished 21 things and at month end, a major project had been finished.

By Lynn from Bridgeville

Weekly Errands Master List

In order to save gas and time, I do all my weekly errands on the same day. I realized one day while I was writing out my grocery and errand list that I pretty much visited the same places all the time. So I decided to make out a "master errand list", much like one would print out a master shopping list because the same items are usually bought over and over.

Using Microsoft Word, I created a template with headings for each place I visit weekly and the things I might do there. For instance, under the Post Office heading I typed "buy stamps" "mail packages", etc. I did this for every store and place of business I usually visit. For places like grocery stores I have a space next to each one to write down the coupons I will be using and the sale items of interest. I also tried to write them in the order that I usually visit them in, for convenience sake.

Then I printed them out on the opposite side of my master grocery list. So all I have to do weekly is circle the places I need to go and the things I need to do there. It is so much easier than writing it all out by hand every week.

By Wendy from IN

Making Your To-Do List Fun

The "Flash List". This is a game I made up to get five things done really quick. Start by cutting up small pieces of any kind of scrap paper, keep them in a small box on the edge of your desk. When your To Do List seems overwhelming, sit down and write only five things on one of these slips of paper. They can be the smallest of tasks, mixed with maybe one larger task. Don't forget to have at least one of them be a "fun" task, a little reward for yourself.

This is now your "Flash List". The game rules are you must do all 5 things before stopping, right in a row, in the order you have written them. If you do that, you win! Just adds a little fun to the day's To Do List and helps you prioritize. Have fun!

By Jayne

My "Do By" List

Ever wonder why you can't finish a list before another comes up? Well, I did too. I made a list to "do by" and divided it up into the areas that govern my life.

I will try and post it as it's on the computer ready to be printed out, but it might not load properly. So, if it won't, I will just tell you what to type and you can do your own.

My "Do By " List:

Do by__________on___________.

• Appts
• Calls
• Cleaning
• Computer
• Crafts
• Errands
• Fix
• Home
• Pickup
• Shopping
• TV Shows
• Misc

Wow, it WORKED! (and no, this is not part of the list).

If you like this as is, copy and paste to a Word doc, modify what you need to, save and print. I find a week is enough to fill the page, but yours might just last a day. Good luck!

Source: Just trying to keep my self on track. We don't have much control over our lives these days, so this helps me feel I do. I hope it helps. PBP

By Sandi from Salem, OR