7 Reasons Why I’m Obsessed with Making Lists

I love making lists. Here’s a list of why I love making lists.

1. Lists kick chaos in the “os”

When I'm overwhelmed with countless tasks and teetering on the edge of my limits, there are just two things I need to shift my perspective:

• a pen (or a keyboard)

• a piece of paper (or a doc)

Making a list – transferring all those scattered thoughts, obligations, ideas to paper for visual confirmation – is the first step in halting chaos. Compiling a list acts as a mechanism to simplify mental clutter. By systematically organizing tasks, lists have the ability to transform a chaotic collection of to-dos into a neat, accessible array of items ready for action. Often, this new-found clarity marks the threshold of regaining control and restoring a sense of well-being.

2. Making a list is like cleaning a closet

Creating a list is comparable to tidying up your closet. When you make a list, you're intentionally giving shape to the unclear chaos. This process organizes what seems disordered. The satisfying act of emptying your mind creates more mental space. Much like when you sort through piled-up, tangled clothes in your closet and discover garments you had forgotten about underneath (come on, just admit it. I did), listing helps clear mental clutter, allowing you to uncover and recall additional layers of information that you can then add to your to-do list.

3. Lists give me hope to carry on

After you make a list, don’t you feel just a little bit better? Once everything is laid out in front of you—on paper or your screen—it might be daunting at first. But the fright quickly gives way to optimism. Why? It's because, with every item you jot down, there's a glimpse of resolution in sight. With each bulleted item, you are starting to make sense of those thoughts. Lists assist in deconstructing your thoughts into smaller, more controllable pieces, reducing anxiety and rendering the workload more approachable.

4. Lists help me put things into perspective

A list is like a bridge that carries you from a state of anxiety to one of execution. In other words, making a list can get you over the hump. By documenting your swirling thoughts onto paper or screen, you set yourself up to sort, prioritize, and gain perspective. A list can help you refocus your attention on what truly matters, allowing you to sorting tasks by their urgency or significance. Now, you're able to adjust your focus back to your primary goals and intentions.

5. Drawing that line is so gratifying

For me, there’s nothing better than drawing a thick line through a completed task on your list, no matter how minor it might be. Consider this – without a list, accomplishing a task doesn’t feel quite as rewarding. But it should! Completing and checking off tasks from a list brings a deep sense of fulfillment and acts as an incentive to keep going. Every mark or cross on the list is a testament to progress, pushing you to keep up the pace and gradually work through all your responsibilities. This sense of progress is vital for maintaining psychological and emotional balance, serving as an antidote to any feelings of stagnation or the lure of procrastination. Now that I think about it, the only thing more satisfying than crossing off a completed item is the moment you can throw away a list with everything checked off. Time for a little celebration!

6. List-makers are smarter and more confident

Making a list encourages you to think critically and strategically about your tasks and how to efficiently execute them. It encourages you to sort items not just by priority but by resource allocation. List-making also helps you to assess what needs more time, energy, or collaboration. Having a list steers you away from impulsive or haphazard efforts and naturally points you towards thoughtful and purposeful action. When I’m armed with a freshly prepared list, I know what I want. And I’m going to get it. If that’s not confidence, what is?

7. Lists give me purpose

After I make a list, I’m on a mission to get it done. A list is a physical (or digital) manifestation of commitment. The simple process of jotting down tasks can reinforce your dedication to seeing them through. This act can internally and externally signal an intent to commit to a goal or dream, positioning you to tackle tasks and responsibilities head-on and restore any lost sense of purpose or direction. You have to know where you are before you can get to where you want to be.

In summary

Lists get you right again. They make your world a better place. They ground you. They help you see clearly. They point you in the right direction. They help you get your power back.

Thank you for reading this blog post! If you enjoyed the content and want to learn more about the topics discussed, I highly recommend checking out my book, REFLECT: A Perspective on Understanding Your Reality and Becoming Unstuck. In it, I dive deeper into the strategies and insights shared in this post, offering even more valuable information and practical advice. Click here to order your copy of REFLECT today! You can also visit my website for more information.