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To-Do List vs a Project List


Why do I want to make a to-do list?  I want to make better use of my time without becoming overwhelmed.  I can't do everything.  It's not worth trying to do too much and I want some slack time to do nothing, just relax.

Now I'm not so busy that I need a complicated method.  An easy method for the best use of my time is what I want.
I don't want to learn how to set up flags and colored stars to make priorities and whatever. It's Fun to make lists but I don't want to spend all my time and energy only making lists rather than actually taking action.

My mistake was in not paying attention to the difference between a to-do list and a project list.

A project could be something like "I want to keep the house in good condition", which I can name as something like House Maintenance.
But this doesn't explain how to do it.

If I list the things I need to do for this project, Wunderlist calls them subtasks; I can now transfer them to my to-do list when I'm ready as:
-Vacuum dryer exhaust duct.
-Buy wireless smoke detectors.
-Install wireless smoke detectors.
and so on.
This is very specific and doable step by step.

There are many ways to do this but if you confuse a project list with a to-do list, the way I did,  not much will get done.




Here is how I do it now:

I use Wunderlist to list my projects and break them down into subtasks that need to be done to complete the project.






























I then transfer a subtask (here it's Dryer exhaust duct) onto my to-do list called "Do It (Tomorrow)".



I use "Do it tomorrow" for my actual to-do list.  It's very simple and I wind up doing much more than with complicated lists.

Link to Planning Page for more ideas: Planning

What are your thoughts and ideas?  How do you like to do it?

Comments

  1. I just keep both my general "to do list" and my "project list" in my head. Maybe that's why it can take years to get around to doing items on them?

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    Replies
    1. Same way with me. Hopefully the lists will help me.

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  2. John, I have to make lists... or things don't get done. Right now I list what I need to do daily on my iPhone calendar and move them to the next day if they don't get done that day. A lot of things move on down the week since retirement, but that's OK. I consider the ability to do this *a perk*!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds like a good system. After retirement we're allowed to have time to sit back and relax. I still want to do a lot of things but I also want to do them at my own pace.

      Delete
  3. I go through binge periods where sometimes I tackle a ton of things and get them out of the way. And others times I totally slack off. Seems like I can only live on one end of the spectrum or the other :) I don't really make lists. I just walk around the house and decide what I feel like doing.

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    Replies
    1. Sometimes I go on and off trying to do what's on the list, not sure why.

      Delete
  4. While I admire your incentive and ambition I must confess this would cause me untold amounts of stress. I would feel obligated to adhere to the list with a do or die mentality! Some days just eating breakfast is an achievement. I wish you luck with your lists. I will have to decline the idea and continue with my moving very slow and working when I feel like it approach.

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    Replies
    1. You've earned it. I often skip what I'm "supposed" to be doing. It's not worth it to force yourself. Besides I leave half my time with nothing to do. The most important thing is to enjoy yourself.

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  5. I was going to suggest making two lists. One for large time consuming jobs and another for smaller tasks that won't take too much time. Then as I read on I found that is sort of what you did. You don't need me this time.

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  6. The first sign is funny.
    No 'to do list' here, we just remember what has to be done and do it when necessary. Most important things first.

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    Replies
    1. Sounds good to me. I just feel better writing it down, sort of obsessive/compulsive.

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