There really aren't many better feelings than crossing everything off your 'to-do' list are there?! I know it may sound a tad sad, but I get so much enjoyment from seeing a list of goals and being able to cross them off, one by one!! I also have the memory of a goldfish... so if it doesn't go on my to do list... it will most likely never happen!!
And yes - like the young lad in our meme here - I will add items to my daily to do list and automatically cross them off if they weren't on there from the beginning of the day!
I have always been someone who is a big fan of to do lists. I actually still have a book full of old lists somewhere in my office! Any kind of stationery that offers a different way of creating a to do list usually finds it way into my shopping basket and I have 2 to do list apps currently on the go - mostly because one of them is being phased out soon :(
I have multiple to do lists... probably too many, but they help me to prioritise different facets of my life and my job. I have my yearly to do list, which I have then broken down into a monthly to do list that sits above my work desk on a whiteboard. These are probably the only lists that cross both life and work. They are pretty big 'to dos' - they are actually my yearly goals... but still the same thing!!
I then have two apps that I use for lists - Wunderlist and Trello. Unfortunately, Wunderlist is the one that is being phased out later this year, so I am making the transition to Trello. Both apps definitely have their pros and cons and I am enjoying getting to know the finer details of Trello and I love the fact that our teams can work privately, but also collaboratively with our boards.
I will be really sad to see Wunderlist go. It has been a great tool that I have used since joining EP. I have a few boards for different parts of my role and I have boards that I am able to share with others. My husband and I even had a Groceries board that we would add to if we realised we were out of something so if the other was at the supermarket they would know what we needed! The feature I love about Wunderlist the most is the ability to set your own specific reminder dates for tasks that are due, even down to the exact minute the reminder will go off. It is also linked to my phone and watch, so there's no escaping those reminders!
I have really only started to explore Trello in the last fortnight. Our team at work was looking for a way that we could all have our own individual boards, but still have complete visibility over each other. We also wanted a space where we could have a highly visible collaborative board for tasks that were across all of our domains. I have set up my various 'lists' of 'cards' and have been able to include a range of automated features. One advantage of Trello over Wunderlist is that I can see all of my lists at once by just scrolling across, rather than having to click into each board. I can also add visual cues to Trello, a feature that wasn't quite as easy on Wunderlist. I have the Trello app on my phone, but I am yet to find out whether it is compatible with my Apple Watch - something to look into!! I also took part in a really awesome and succinct SkillShare unit on how to maximise your productivity with Trello. I plan on going back and watching it again to make sure I'm getting the most out of the platform!
Lastly - I then ALSO have hand written to do lists... usually for the BIG jobs of the day that MUST get done! It's so awesome being able to physically pick up a pen and scribble a line through a task that you spent hours on once it's done! I have some pretty good to do list stationery, but I'm about to head to Typo and buy a weekly one as I find I waste too much paper on just a daily to do list!!
Here are some benefits for writing to do lists:
And a few tips to be a good 'lister':
My number one tip comes AFTER you have written your list though and that is... ALWAYS START WITH YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE JOB FIRST!!!!!
I would love to hear about other people's to do list strategies :) I'm sure I could streamline more a bit better, but I'm just not sure how!!
And yes - like the young lad in our meme here - I will add items to my daily to do list and automatically cross them off if they weren't on there from the beginning of the day!
I have always been someone who is a big fan of to do lists. I actually still have a book full of old lists somewhere in my office! Any kind of stationery that offers a different way of creating a to do list usually finds it way into my shopping basket and I have 2 to do list apps currently on the go - mostly because one of them is being phased out soon :(
I have multiple to do lists... probably too many, but they help me to prioritise different facets of my life and my job. I have my yearly to do list, which I have then broken down into a monthly to do list that sits above my work desk on a whiteboard. These are probably the only lists that cross both life and work. They are pretty big 'to dos' - they are actually my yearly goals... but still the same thing!!
I then have two apps that I use for lists - Wunderlist and Trello. Unfortunately, Wunderlist is the one that is being phased out later this year, so I am making the transition to Trello. Both apps definitely have their pros and cons and I am enjoying getting to know the finer details of Trello and I love the fact that our teams can work privately, but also collaboratively with our boards.
I will be really sad to see Wunderlist go. It has been a great tool that I have used since joining EP. I have a few boards for different parts of my role and I have boards that I am able to share with others. My husband and I even had a Groceries board that we would add to if we realised we were out of something so if the other was at the supermarket they would know what we needed! The feature I love about Wunderlist the most is the ability to set your own specific reminder dates for tasks that are due, even down to the exact minute the reminder will go off. It is also linked to my phone and watch, so there's no escaping those reminders!
I have really only started to explore Trello in the last fortnight. Our team at work was looking for a way that we could all have our own individual boards, but still have complete visibility over each other. We also wanted a space where we could have a highly visible collaborative board for tasks that were across all of our domains. I have set up my various 'lists' of 'cards' and have been able to include a range of automated features. One advantage of Trello over Wunderlist is that I can see all of my lists at once by just scrolling across, rather than having to click into each board. I can also add visual cues to Trello, a feature that wasn't quite as easy on Wunderlist. I have the Trello app on my phone, but I am yet to find out whether it is compatible with my Apple Watch - something to look into!! I also took part in a really awesome and succinct SkillShare unit on how to maximise your productivity with Trello. I plan on going back and watching it again to make sure I'm getting the most out of the platform!
Lastly - I then ALSO have hand written to do lists... usually for the BIG jobs of the day that MUST get done! It's so awesome being able to physically pick up a pen and scribble a line through a task that you spent hours on once it's done! I have some pretty good to do list stationery, but I'm about to head to Typo and buy a weekly one as I find I waste too much paper on just a daily to do list!!
Here are some benefits for writing to do lists:
- most people can only hold 4 things in their mind. Making lists helps to reduce the mind-juggling and actually helps you to remember more things!
- they can reduce stress as it allows you to visualise what you need to achieve without wasting time of figuring out what to tackle next
- they give us structure!
- they help us to gain a sense of achievement
And a few tips to be a good 'lister':
- ensure your lists have detailed information so you don't need to think too hard to start the next job
- create a system for categorising tasks - use colours or symbols for example
- provide yourself with suitable timelines to complete jobs
- re-evaluate your lists often - don't be afraid to start again with a new list!!
My number one tip comes AFTER you have written your list though and that is... ALWAYS START WITH YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE JOB FIRST!!!!!
I would love to hear about other people's to do list strategies :) I'm sure I could streamline more a bit better, but I'm just not sure how!!
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