Lists and More Lists

I love my meditation groups. We meet Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings and some show up for both, while others are either morning or evening people. We open each session with just some chat, sharing about our days, that sort of thing. I learn so much from all of them, and more than once, I’ve used what I learn from them as a jumping off point for my weekly article.

Recently we got on a topic that was clear to me I needed to explore a little more. In fact, I warned them that they would be reading about it in my weekly email, and I apologize in advance if I get any of the details wrong.

Most everyone on the call keeps daily lists, with the exception of myself and one other that kinda, sorta keeps a list. Many keep lists so that they stay active, productive and engaged (we’re all retired or semi-retired). So with me as the exception, I was feeling a little lazy, or that I was missing out on something. Oh sure, I still work some, I walk a lot, I have my volunteer time at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, as well as the daily to-dos of life, and I also have a lot of down time when I read or spend some time just hanging out in my backyard. As a meditation teacher I talk about the importance of self-care and time to do nothing, but am I really doing “enough” or am I just fooling myself, telling myself a story? Are there things I want to accomplish that keeping a list would help with?

Everyone has their own list-keeping method. Some keep a perpetual list, adding and crossing out as appropriate. Others keep daily lists, carrying forward anything that doesn’t get completed during the previous day. Still others have different lists – groceries on one, work on another, appointments on another, etc. There are different ways of prioritizing items on the list. Without naming names, someone I know very well has a system where an item eventually ends up written on their hand if it becomes critical. Some people carry their lists with them wherever the go, so they can add to it when the need arises. Unanimously, everyone agreed that the best part is getting to cross out or check off an item on the list.

So, armed with lots of ideas, suggestions, and curiosity, I set forth on my list project. I would keep a list for a week see how it all pans out. And here is what I discovered:

• • The list-keeping absolutely made me more productive. More on that later.
  • Not all list-keeping techniques are created equal. Try different ones. I thought I was going to be a perpetual list keeper, and I ended up most comfortable with a daily list.
  • My first day, I was so productive that I didn’t get in my daily walk on the beach. The next day, I included that on the list. It’s important to me.
  • I first felt that a list makes me too inflexible. If something comes up unexpected, it threw me off a bit. So I kept the list very fluid and didn’t over schedule. No day’s list was too long. Then when I didn’t complete something, I just carried it on to the next day. I also decided not to make weekend lists to give me that feeling of relaxation and/or flexibility. And I figure there’s nothing that can’t wait until Monday.
  • On that same subject, I prioritized the things that must get done, even if it was something quick. Some things that were less important got carried forward over the next several days. I didn’t stress over it.
  • I included everything on my list – groceries, appointments, work stuff, personal stuff – and added to it throughout the day.
  • The list helped with my tendency to procrastinate, something I’ve struggled with in the past. That felt good.

I am still refining this whole list-keeping idea. Here are some of the questions that have come up for me:

• • Is keeping a list making me dependent on it? That is a real question that I have. I wonder if my brain has to work harder to remember all my tasks if I don’t keep a list. Working your brain harder keeps it in good shape. And do some of the additional tasks I get done also work the brain, effectively canceling that? See, these are the things that keep me up at night.
  • Does keeping a list prevent me from being fully present? Am I always thinking about what’s next on my list? Perhaps it is actually the opposite, that when I write it down, it allows me to let it go. Pondering…

For now, I will continue on this list-keeping experiment. I’d love to hear from you. List-keeper or no? What’s your process?