The Power of the List

Schindler had one. Nixon had one. Every man who gets sent to the grocery store for more than two items ought to have one.

There is an innate power in making a list. It's the beginning of commitment. It's the first step in making a concrete plan for any purpose. Any time I make a list, of my chores, my goals, or my tasks for the day, I create a useful road map toward getting where I want to go.

I had a list today with sixteen things on it and I got fifteen of them done with a half hour to spare. I had four hours, and defeated the time suck and inattention that might have swallowed up the day. I was organized. I was systematic. I avoided false steps or distraction. I feel better already.

There is an old saying, "how do you eat an elephant?" Answer: one bite at a time. Anything, any task, any problem, any goal, any budget, becomes more manageable and doable when you divide it into parts. The path becomes clearer. The first and subsequent steps become more obvious. It becomes easier too to make adjustments. When the plan falls apart or runs into a snag it's easier to prioritize and reschedule.

I like simple lists because they don't seem cumbersome or restrictive. They give me just enough structure to orient myself. My time flows more surely. There's a satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

For the rest of my days I resolve to be a list maker and a list achiever. That's important, because I'm getting to the point where I need to compose a bucket list, a list I'm already starting to compile in my head. Next week I have a four-day weekend; I'm taking two vacation days for a much-needed mini-holiday. I have another one the third week of August. It will be a great time for knocking more things off my list.

No one ever has enough time or money. But by using the power of the list, we can make the most of what we have, and recognize with better clarity how much of each we have left. That's a powerful tool for a better, more rewarding, less stressful life.