| The interesting thing about the history of the | | | | run, groceries to buy, a budget to organize and a |
| to-do list is that there doesn't seem to be any | | | | tracking system to pay the bills with. Did I |
| history. What you find instead is every type of | | | | mention scheduling appointments with the doctor, |
| list program, software, mind-mapping tool and | | | | dentist and chiropractor for the family or the |
| task management solution you could ever hope | | | | monthly car maintenance? Whatever shape they |
| for. All of which promise, to some degree or | | | | take is as varied and different as the individual |
| other, to help you manage your tasks quickly and | | | | who writes them. Not to be boring, there can be |
| easily, have access to reminders no matter | | | | pictures and graphics, formatting on a computer |
| where you are on earth, provide custom | | | | and printed out or just written hurriedly and |
| organization tailored to fit your needs, a way to | | | | last-minutely on a scrap of paper that ends up |
| locate your tasks - like you'd ever lose them! and | | | | scruffed in a heap at the bottom of your purse |
| to add tasks - like we need more - with the | | | | or coat pocket. Just one more contraption we |
| privilege of doing so wherever you go. Hmmm, | | | | cooked up in an attempt to keep ourselves |
| does this sound like something you need or want? | | | | organized, its left to the individual to the make |
| Everyone has them, some of us even attempt to | | | | correct usage of. Maybe that is the difficulty we |
| stick with them and some unsung hero's have | | | | face, not realizing that a to-do list is actually a |
| found ways to utilize these agendas to make | | | | formal organizational system and should be used |
| their lives roll along ever more smoothly but, what | | | | thus to gain the results we want to attain. My |
| do we really know about them. Did a senior | | | | own list was born out of necessity years ago and |
| Greek philosopher shriek in frustration one day in | | | | has evolved to become a rather formal |
| the near silence of an ancient library "I need a | | | | document at times, depending on my needs. I |
| To-Do List!" I wonder if he got kicked out for it. | | | | have a tendency to alter it to re-fit my needs |
| I was busily detailing some items when my hubby | | | | when occasion calls for it. |
| asked what I was doing, "Oh, just making up my | | | | Currently mine includes the following items that I |
| usual checklist," I answered as it tumbled to my | | | | like to record on a monthly basis: the whole top |
| knees. Some months I plan well in advance! The | | | | of the page contains my current bill amounts, |
| question of whether or not they actually work is | | | | interest, minimum payments with dates, bill |
| also something of a question mark; as is the | | | | payment outlays, balances, next payment dates |
| purpose and main function they are supposed to | | | | and are color coded. Next to that I indicate all |
| serve, but this is up to the individual using them. | | | | incoming funds and savings. My basic daybook |
| Many people carry their daytimers or a journal | | | | includes a numbered approach starting with 1 to |
| around with them everywhere they go and these | | | | 20 alongside the following: yes, no, continuation |
| generally include an index for time management. | | | | date, done, budget for, save for and items that |
| In my journal I just use the other half of the | | | | need cash flow, beside it. Under that is my |
| page as a daily catalogue that acts as my | | | | reminder menu for important dates, emails, phone |
| schedule for the day where I check off what has | | | | calls, mail and all other correspondence that I |
| been accomplished and what remains outstanding. | | | | either have to make or have received; this |
| These lists can get quite complicated and if | | | | includes recording phone numbers, email |
| caution is not exercised, they can overwhelm | | | | addresses, civic addresses, the names of |
| your life. The KISS principle is the easiest to | | | | individuals, companies and contacts. Then I have a |
| follow but keeping them simple can be a challenge | | | | section for the same funds and current bills |
| in itself, depending on what you have going and | | | | carryover for the next 31-day cycle; adding and |
| how many aspects there are to it. For instance... | | | | deleting items as they change. This is basic for |
| A business man with meetings to manage, | | | | me though it could become more complex I need, |
| appointments to keep and projects to work on | | | | to keep things as simple and straightforward as |
| will have an altogether different arrangement than | | | | possible to deal with what needs to be dealt with |
| a home-schooling mom with two boys; managing | | | | so as to not become distracted by too many |
| the weekly kids sports or scout activities, | | | | extraneous items. |
| managing a part time job or two, a household to | | | | |