The power of lists: Simple ways to stay organised

Feel out of control, forget things, then use valuable energy getting cross about it, waste time trying to find stuff you should have to hand, want to stay focused? Well, a list might just be the answer.

Whether it’s long, short, written on a scrap of paper in felt tip or a flowery exercise book with a fountain pen or using your phone’s calendar option - how you do it doesn’t matter. Just so long as you find a way that works for you and stay on top of it.

My lifelong love of list-making

Now I love a list, written down so I can gain the maximum satisfaction of crossing off the tasks in red pen, but I am an out-and-proud control freak and have been addicted to list-making most of my adult life. It even featured heavily in the speeches at my wedding and has remained a part of my identity for as long as I can remember.

With this in mind, I know the peril you can head towards if the list begins to run you. You have to remain in charge of it at all times – not the other way around. It should never be so long that you can’t achieve it all, nor so pointless that you don’t feel the impetus to take action. Ensuring you have the capacity to carry anything you can’t do over to another day is critical to you feeling successful at the end of each day.

Finding a list System that works for you

Lists are personal to their owners, so finding the way that works for you is the key to your list success. Find a method you can sustain for a month without falling off the wagon too much, and you’ve cracked it for life.

So if I’m preaching to the converted and you want to improve your list-making or are a list virgin, here are some useful tips:

Keep it simple

Avoid complex coding systems and colours. Simple is usually best. And a list is meant to help you not add another hour to your day to create.

Use one main list

Have a single list for everything on one page or one view. You haven’t got time to check multiple lists and don’t need to feel successful in some areas and not in others.

Leave room for notes

If you choose to write your list, make it clear and allow room to update the list as you go and make other (very short) notes.

Focus on achievable goals

Try to tick off three things from your list each day and ensure there are fewer than 10 things to achieve in any day to avoid overwhelming yourself.

Prioritise your tasks

Order your list by priority each day. The satisfaction you gain from crossing something off is short-lived if you didn’t really need it done that day.

Link your list with your diary

Get into the habit of cross-referencing your list with your diary or calendar so you know what events are coming up and have time to plan to buy Great Auntie’s cardy from M&S or a present for that child’s birthday party on Saturday.

Share your secret

Share the secret of your list-making when your friends admire how you’re always on top of everything from now on.

Stick with it

But most of all, stick with it. Good luck!