Friday 26 March 2010

It occurs to me

That my to-do list may be a form of procrastination.  Instead of doing a task I write it down - which feels like doing something, but isn't.

And how many tasks get transferred from old to new lists?  Some things live perpetually on my list because the more unique items jump off the page and get my attention.

11 comments:

Denise said...

This might be the most profound thing I've read all day. Seriously. How much am I putting off by simply writing about it instead?

I write instead of do...but if I don't write, I forget to do...but if I write, I still don't do, I just think about doing.

I think I'm going to try not writing and not doing, and see how that goes...

Elizabeth said...

I have items on lists for way to long. At least t helps them out of my brain so I can sleep at night.

Jill said...

I hear you on this, but must say that I'm doing much better since attending that 6 week organizing class and creating my "Brain Box" of jobs. I'm finding it's easier to get some of the dreaded jobs done than I thought it would be.

Janine said...

a patient told James once that procrastination is her top priority. I live by that motto now.

michelle said...

Oh boy.

I am recognizing a lot of truth in this...

Natalie said...

I only think of it that way when an item has made it to a 4th or 5th generation list. By then, it's fact that I am in avoidance.

Do you like to write things on a list just so you can cross it off? (I do!)

Marie said...

Teehee! Natalie and I do the same thing.

This post sounded like a Jane post to me somehow.

And you, dear sister, are anything but a procrastinator.

Barb said...

I know so many people that do the write-it-down-to-cross-it-off thing, but I do not.

Humphreys Family said...

I have to agree with Elizabeth. If I write it down I know I can at least sleep instead of worrying about forgetting what it is i need to do.

Katie A. said...

That's too funny. That EXACT thought was occurring to me earlier today. I love, love lists. I found myself looking forward to making one for my weekend chores. Then I told myself, "maybe, for a change, you should just do the things that need doing, and save the list for the little things that get over-looked...later." I'll probably make a list, though. I can't control myself.

Amy said...

My mother-in-law was just saying to me that when she writes something on a list, she feels too guilty NOT to do it. I'm more with you on this one. It's written down sometimes means I have permission to erase it from my mind for a minute...or a season...

I read a book last summer called The Power of Less. I loved its ideas, but have yet to put many of them into practice (having a baby is a handy justification for procrastination as well!). Anyhow, one thing he says is you only write down three things to do at a time. The three *most important* things of the day (He calls them MIT Most Important Tasks). You may do the interesting or unique item first, but nothing can be added to the list until ALL three are done. I think that has definite merit.

Another thing he says is to be more effective by only getting on your computer once a day for a set amount of time. Ha!