Saturday, April 13, 2013

L is for Lists



Yes, I'm a list maker. It's not because I'm a particularly organized person, in fact, it might be because I'm so disorganized that this little bit of order makes me finally feel like I have a semblance of control over my life. 

I use lists for everything: to-dos, groceries, goals... but it seems like lists are most handy when it comes to writing. I use them for plotting, for drafting, for revising. You name it. 

I become overwhelmed easily, so it's nice to be able to see a step by step account of what I need to do. Of course, it doesn't hurt that I get such pleasure from checking things off.

How about you? Are you a list maker?

19 comments:

  1. Definitely. I keep lists for everything, even blogging: posts to write, blog visits to return, etc. I need my lists!

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  2. The only thing I make lists for is my writing. I do occasional grocery lists, but I usually know what we have and what we need by memory. I can't deny their usefulness though... Or the thrill of checking things off, like you said;)

    On another note, I've nominated you for a blog award=) If you're interested, you can find all the information you need here: http://writingreadingandlife.com/2013/04/13/l-is-for-liebster-an-award-that-is/

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  3. The one day I made a list, I left it on the kitchen table. But I felt better that night after I found it and realized I could check most of it off.

    My book is at amazon now with great reviews and a sequel being requested. NOW I wish I'd made notes along the way, because I can't remember who did what in my original book, and I'm now having to hop around in my published book to refresh my memory! ghastly.

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  4. I go through phases when I can't make enough lists, or check off enough items. Sometimes I'll even write down things I've already done just so I can cross them off.

    When I'm starting into revisions, lists help me see the process in smaller (read: less overwhelming), more manageable steps.

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    1. I'm the exact same way with my revisions.

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  5. Great blog--beautiful art...

    I LOVE making lists. I have an Excel document with my life organized on it on four separate pages. :)

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  6. oh i love love love to make lists--i will make a list about anything such a rush, crossing things off :)

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  7. To list or not to list... whether it is nobler for groceries or to do that is the question.

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  8. I am the queen of list making. I'm such a list maker that I will frequently list tasks ALREADY completed just so I can experience the satisfaction of crossing them off. DORK. Also, I use lists to reduce stress. For example, when there are a million things between work, my kids, my life, writing, chores, blah, blah, blah, I freak myself out spinning about all of it. Writing it down on a list totally helps.

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  9. I am very much a list maker, and I even write out a list and then rewrite it in a different way. I guess it helps me to sort my list out for the final draft, properly. ;)

    Do you make lists of your lists? hehe

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    1. I've never thought of making lists for my lists... :)

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  10. I had the opportunity to scroll through some of your delightful posts!
    Nice to meet you via the A to Z Challenge. *waving*
    And yes, I love notelets/notebooks/notepads and other types of stationery where you can jot down endless lists of all sorts of thinggies...

    Writer In Transit

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  11. I really should make more lists. Things tend to seem more doable if they're in neat order on a page than all jumbled up and swirling round in my head!

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  12. I love lists! My problem starts when my lists begin to have sublists, and then those have lists... :)

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  13. I use my smart phone to keep track of things for me. Not a traditional list maker per se but I do employ something similar to help me stay organized.

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  14. I'm a serial list maker, Kate! It's the only way to reign my head in from the clouds. I'm guilty of making so many lists that some end up getting ignored, but I'm a big believer in setting goals before tasks so they'll get completed properly.

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    1. I feel the same way! I often write lists that don't get completed, but for some reason I know that if it gets written down, it'll get done eventually. At least I'm not ignoring it.

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