Check

I'm a list-maker. I do it for a lot of reasons. Obviously, it helps my scattered brain to remember what I need to do from day to day, but just the act of writing something down seems to commit information to memory for me. A lot of stage managers have given over to the fancy new technology and now type their prompt scripts. I'm old-school--I still write my cues in my book long-hand.  The simple act of writing them out helps me learn where they go in the book, plus erasing and re-writing something we move during tech rehearsals is easier than opening the laptop, typing a new cue and printing a new page.

At work, I make a daily checklist and insist that my assistant and I actually put check marks beside the tasks we've completed.  This way, we don't waste time trying to start tasks the other has already completed and we can keep on-track and share the responsibility.  I've met a lot of resistance from different assistants over the years for this, but in the instance that they forgot to do something, they sure were glad I noticed it on the list and did it, thus saving both our butts.

I also make packing lists any time we go on a trip, whether it's to my parents' house for the weekend or to Marcus's parents' house for 2 weeks. You parents know that if you don't have a list, you'll forget something, usually something HUGE, like the baby. (OK, we've never actually forgotten the BABY, but we did forget the pack-and-play once. Thankfully, there was a consignment store nearby!)

Lists are very satisfying because you can check things off, and I love me some check-marks. I walk through the grocery store, pen in hand, checking each item off my list as I toss it into my cart. That way I know if I've forgotten anything.  When house-cleaning day rears its ugly head, I make a list of tasks. My trick to getting things done is throwing little rewards on the list between jobs. For instance, in order to earn the right to write this blog post, I had to vaccuum the upstairs, gather the dry-cleaning, sort through the  million magazines on my nightstand, dust Dean's room and put our sheets in the washer.  I did all that, plus re-stocked the TP supply in each bathroom, switched out my summer pj's for my winter ones (FINALLY) and organized the top of my closet. It felt great to check all those things off my list and really feel like I'd earned a few minutes to sit down, blog and have a Coke Zero.

Are you a list-maker? What sorts of lists keep you  on-track?

Comments

[Dusty]

I had a grad school professor that asked us, "Have you ever added anything to a list, just so you can have the satisfaction of crossing it off?" Most of us honestly had to say that yes, we had done that very thing. Every time I think of list making, I'm reminded of that. Now that I have 3 kids, I don't make as many lists as I used to, just for the simple reason that I don't have time. I HAVE to have a grocery list when I go to the store, though, and if there are major projects that need to be done, I revert to my list making self.

[J]

You are SO my daughter! I make lists, too, and love to check things off. It makes me feel productive. Now that I'm more mature in years (notice I didn't say "older"), I make lists because I can't remember anything! I like your reward system, too. I may incorporate that into my routine. :)

[rkmama]

Ah another list maker- you are a girl after my own heart.
I tried out the notes section on my iPhone for lists but deleting something once completed just does not give the satisfaction of physically crossing something off.
And I might be known to do something not on the list and then write it down after the fact just so I can check it off.

[San]

Yup *raises hand* another list-maker here.
It helps me remember the important stuff and it's so satisfying to cross something off your list :)

[Julie]

I am the Queen of List-Making in my family. Heck, probably in my whole state!

And I like to use paper and pencil/pen for my lists. It just feels good to check things off and know that I got it done.

[The HotchPotchery]

I love to check things off a list!

I am glad you blogged, because I specifically logged into my reader to see if you had a post today...we are only a few days in and I didn't want you to forget!

So, I am still looking in my wee town for a snuggie that I owe you a picture in!

[AJU5's Mom]

I do best when I have a check-list, but I find them annoying because I actually have to get things done. So, I just make them for when I have lots to do :)