Lists

This post goes out to those of you out there who (like me) live and die by The List. Who think life can be managed by making lists. Who think lists are the pathways to sanity.

Who should know better.

My list for Tuesday included writing a little essay for the blog. It is now 10:15 pm Tuesday night. See that list above? I am on #6.

Nevertheless, I continue to put my trust (my life) in The List.  I love making lists. Even more, I love checking off items from the lists I make. Sometimes I will do something that is not on my list, and I will add it to the list just for the joy of checking it off. Oh yes, I know some of you do this too. I have also been known to make lists of my lists. Or make nonsense lists that get me out of writing thoughtful essays. Just sayin.

Here is a list of the reasons I love making lists (stolen/ recycled from a post I wrote a few years ago.) Mea culpa.

1. Making a list quiets the omg moments that keep me awake at 2 am.
2. Making a list is a low-bar entry to actually doing whatever needs to be done. Sure, no sweat, I can make a list! It is way less scary (not to mention time-consuming) than starting the project itself.
3. Lists break down huge tasks (writing a book, regaining the White House in 2020) into manageable action items.
4. Lists simplify life. Whaaat? All I have to do is these 5/ 10 things!
5. Lists help me think things through. They demand logic.
6. Lists clear my brain. I no longer have to try to remember all this. I wrote it all down!
7. Lists are finite. It may not seem like it, but my tasks are not endless!
8. Lists keep me from procrastinating. Uh, Friday…and two more things on the list? Better get to them.
9. Crossing something off a list = instant gratification.
10. If you save your lists (um, yes, I do), they provide an historical record of your life.