Are you a list maker? Today’s guest author, Jennifer Tankersly, shares why lists can be invaluable and help you manage and organize your thoughts.

There are many tools and techniques available for organization and even time management, but none are as simple and effective as the list.  All you need is a piece of paper and a writing implement, and you can dump all of the information swimming around in your brain in an organized and efficient manner.

Lists can be made over a period of time or can be jotted on the fly. They can be as brief and simple or as long and detailed as you need them to be, but either way, the benefits to creating and using a list are many.

A list can be a great brainstorming activity. A person may go from not having any clear ideas on a topic to a list full of possibilities.

A list is a good memory aid. Many people are visual and seeing the information presented in list form is a way of committing it to memory.  For example, a grocery list allows a person to not only consider what ingredients are needed but also the freedom of not having to store all of those items in their memories.  However, once a visual person sees the list of ingredients, they are much more likely to remember what is included on the list.

Your information is centralized. Lists bring the important details together to one handy location.  A monthly menu  list brings together the titles of recipes spread throughout your kitchen storage (and even computer) and places them on a single page for easy reference.

A list makes a terrific record. Not only can a list prepare you for what lies ahead, but remains long after an event as a kind of testament that can be used again or repeated as often as necessary.  A good Packing List should be saved and pulled back out for future trips.

Lists are extremely portable. A piece of paper can be clipped to a clipboard and toted around the home or office.  It can be hung on the refrigerator or message board and displayed for others to enjoy and use.  It even folds nicely and can fit into a back pocket or purse.

Whether you have dabbled in the art of listmaking or are a seasoned listmaker, you’ve probably discovered that lists have a way of multiplying.  Develop a system for creating and storing lists such as a 3-ring binder.  Keep the ones that will serve you again in the future and dispose of the ones that have run their course.

About the Author

Jennifer Tankersley is the founder of ListPlanIt.com, which has over 500 lists and planning pages available for members to either print or download as often as you need for 1 year, including Home Management, Family Matters, Financial Planning, Meal Planning, Holidays & Occasions, Time Management, Travel Planning, and more!

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