Top 10 Reasons To Make Lists

It's been several weeks since my last blog post so I decided to do another top 10 in the hopes it will be a catalyst and get me blogging more often. We'll see, I suppose.

I hate making lists. I don't like the extra piece of paper that floats around my house. I don't like having to go on scavenger hunts to locate one of the many pens that are never around when I need them. It just seems like there is more hassle involved in making and keeping track of lists. But I have learned through the years that for all the hassle, a list can be quite the thing to keep me on track. I've also learned that it helps you see the light at the end of the Long Tunnel of Chores become a bit brighter and clearer as you check off items that get done or purchased. So here are my top 10 reasons to make lists. (I'm gearing up to make a massive grocery list today so I really need this, probably more than anyone else who's reading my blog today!) These are in no particular order. I'm just writing what comes into my head.

1. You can see clearly if you've forgotten anything while shopping. I don't know about the rest of you but I usually forget one really important item if I don't make a list. I never forget milk but I would probably forget the eggs or butter or maybe even my fish oil supplement. And I am the type of person that would forget my head if it was not attached to the rest of me.

2. Lists help you prioritize. In these tough economic times, it's very important for my family to prioritize what we put on our grocery list and on our wish lists. Do we really need that box of granola? Or can we get by without it? Should I get my new tattoo now? Or should I wait a few more months?

3. A list also helps you to see what you need in relation to what you have coupons for. I have my coupons in a nifty-difty accordion wallet. I never remember what coupons I have but if I used lists, I might actually remember to check that wallet more often and save myself a few dollars.

4. Crossing items off of a list, especially a to-do list, gives one a sense of satisfaction. Every time I cross an item off my to-do list, I feel a sense of relief, like a bit of a large burden has been lifted from my shoulders. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and reminds me that even when it doesn't seem like it, progress has indeed been made.

5. Lists can keep the peace. My husband and I decided to make lists to prioritize what we need to do, what we want to do and when we want those things to be accomplished. This helps us keep our needs and wants in perspective so we don't splurge on a ridiculous item and do have what we need to get necessary items. This effectively keeps the peace in our house, at least as far as money goes.

6. Lists help you see how far you've come. If you make a family list, like the one mentioned in number 5, this list will be kept for a while. As you go back to it to check off more items, you can see how far you've come in getting to all your goals. You can more easily see the path ahead as something you can definitely do because you've checked off all the other items that came before.

7. Order equals peace. I know I mentioned this in number 5 but even putting together a grocery list gives you a sense of peace that nothing will be forgotten while shopping that day. In this hectic hustle and bustle we call 'life', peace is sometimes hard to come by but it is so very important!

8. It's a great teaching tool for kids. Kids need to learn to make goals that are appropriate, reachable, doable. They can't do that without help and as their parent, it's part of my responsibility that I teach them how to make goals that are practical and how to effectively reach those goals.

9. Lists are very 'green'. You will find, if you stick to your list, that you will waste less time, money and effort when using that list. How many times have I wandered around the store thinking, "I know I needed something else but what is it?!" What a waste of time and effort! And how many times have I bought something frivolous simply because it was in front of my face? (I won't count those and you shouldn't try, either. You'd probably go cross-eyed.)

10. List making can be fun. I like to doodle. No one says your list has to be a boring bit of letters on a white strip of paper. Have fun with it! If you're teaching your young child to read, draw a milk carton or a glass of milk on your list and write the word 'milk' inside the picture. Kids love that kind of stuff and they love to help. When they smile, I smile too.

While some of my reasons may seem kooky to you, I need every one of them to make the lists I'm working on today. We happen to be at the bottom of the barrel and in need of whopping amounts of things. With that in mind, I will let you all get back to your day while I get started on that list-making. Hope you have a great one!
Laugh a lot!