LISTS, LISTS, & MORE LISTS!!!
I laugh at myself for all the lists I make. They do help me organize my thoughts, but I find they are ongoing. Certain items get repeated as they are weekly functions for the office or this site. I finish with a podcast and my mind is instantly thinking of an outline for another. Just so you know that I am not kidding, I spread a bunch of my lists out here. Probably they would seem so senseless to others, but I am constantly crossing off and moving to the next one. They help me stay productive.
Whether it was the original Franklin Planner which so many of us used or the other forms of planning, they all included places to make lists. We planned our days and lived our plans. Well I soon found out that system didn’t work so well. I was a teacher and agendas changed; lesson plans changed or needed to be repeated!
At home things were also too fluid for me to hold to one schedule. Even if there was piano lessons every Monday, it didn’t account for the disabled car, the sick child, or the flow of funding. Life doesn’t always go smoothly. I do hold to the premise though that lists actually help us recoup after things seemingly crumble.
I think lists work for a variety of reasons. #1. Like grocery lists that change by the season and my cooking habits, I’d forget things without a list. #2. I have hobbies vs. work, so they help me keep things sorted out. #3. Once something is on paper or on the phone, etc. I no longer worry about it. #4. Lists help me prioritize. #5. A prayer list shows one how often our requests are cared for by God. #5. I have lists of books to read, websites to read, focus charts to keep me on task, etc. They are all different, but valuable.
Today like everyday, my day begins with a prayer, an agenda, and usually a routine that gets me up and out the door. I have learned not to turn my phone on or check emails until after I have blogged and started the things on my list. It really helps me accomplish more.
DELIGHT IN LIVING as you forge ahead with or without your lists!