I love to make lists. Some can be quite useful, and some are just for plain fun.

I find lists useful for several reasons.

1. As I get older, the first and most important thing is to trigger my memory. If I don’t write something down, I will forget about it later.  It’s usually things my husband asked for at the last minute, so I didn’t write it down.  He thinks it’s a conspiracy that I always forget the things he needs, but I truly just forget!
2. Lists can make life easier.
3. When I write down the goals I have, I can break them down into baby steps.  A list of those steps makes it easier to keep track of and fun to check off.  Each check brings me closer to my goal!
4. Lists help when we are constantly distracted. If we write down what we need to do each day in the morning, we have something to look back at when the phone keeps ringing or we get an urgent email.
5. They can remind us of all of the great things we have done. Whenever you need a pick-me-up, look back to your list of things you have already accomplished to make you feel better.
6. Organizes the tasks we need to get done.  Instead of remembering everything you need to do before your vacation, party, or big meeting, write them down. Be as detailed as you need to, and then start checking them off.
7. It focuses the mind and helps us relax, knowing we have everything we need written down.
8. Use them as a reference we can go back to. Keep your lists in a binder so that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time you plan something.

 

 

How You Can Use Lists

• Organize your information
• Prioritize your day
• Collect and bookmark information
• A form of meditation by sitting down and just writing a list of everything on your mind. Get it out of your head.
• When you write things down, you put your ideas into the Universe and tell it what you want.

How to Make Lists

I love good old-fashioned paper and pen to make my lists.  I have so many notebooks lying around with lots of information in them.  Once in a while, I will give myself time to review them and find old articles, lists, or thoughts I can use in my blog.

There are so many advantages to using electronic lists on your phone. You can easily move things around, grab images or URLs, and always carry the lists with you. Here are a few apps you could try.

• Evernote
• Lists To Do
• AnyList
• Wunderlist

I also use Excel spreadsheets a lot. This comes in handy when I am working on my computer and need to look up ideas or addresses I have written down.

Have you heard of a bullet journal? A bullet journal is a manual calendar/planning system.  You create the outline you like for your calendar, and you can keep track of anything you want. The beauty of bullet journals is how creative you can be. I started using one last year, but it didn’t fit what I wanted in a calendar.  What I do still use, though, are the lists. I keep a list of books I’ve read, movies I’ve watched, quotes I like, and people I want to pray for. If you are interested in bullet journals, two of my favorite people to follow are Kalyn Brooke and Christina at Square Lime Designs.

Now that you know why and how to make lists, you may be wondering what you will make lists of! Well, I have some ideas. I’ve broken them down into four categories.

You might use useful lists every day or week to manage your life. Lists for success will help you reach your career goals or make your work life easier. Make lists that will lift your spirit and motivate you when life feels overwhelming. Finally, the rest are fun lists to fill out to make life more interesting.

Related Post: 9 Ways to Fill a Journal

 

Types of Lists to Make

Useful Lists

Good old-fashioned to-do lists

Movies – ones you have watched and movies you want to watch

Books – ones you have read and books you want to read

Items in your pantry/grocery lists

Clothes – know what is in your closet

Recipes to try

Birthdays

Self-care ideas

Restaurants to try

TV shows to binge watch

Prayer lists  (I put a PDF of “My Prayer Lists” on my Resources page)

Monthly Expenses

Lists of Success

People you would like to meet

Things I’ve accomplished this year

My goals – break them down

My dreams – anything you can think of, the bigger, the better

Passwords

Your talents and strengths

Favorite podcasts and websites

List your truths and beliefs

Business ideas

Projects

Lists When Life Feels Overwhelming

Uplifting songs

What are you thankful and/or grateful for

Favorite quotes/affirmations

If I ruled the world, I would make these changes

What am I looking forward to

Gift lists

What I love about myself

Compliments I’ve received

100 things that make me happy

Fun Lists to Fill Out

Birthday wish list

Names for future pets/cars

The rainy day things to do

List of things to do when you are bored

Bucket lists

Beautiful things

If I had all the money in the world, what would I buy

Places to visit

Date nights

I’m off to make a list of more lists I can make! No, I’ll probably make a list of new blog posts to write. Any ideas?

Do you use lists to make life easier? What other useful lists do you make?

Don’t forget to sign up for my Resources page to get your Prayer List and Useful Lists printouts!