The List Maker

My list keeps getting longer and longer each day.  My half-done projects mount up in the dining room, and I wonder when I'm going to finish one of them.  I was so proud of my last list of accomplishments, I eagerly set out and started, not finished, not completed, four new projects. I did manage to get the grill together, a feat only I can enjoy and rub in my husband's face.  How satisfying.  However, all he has to mention is the pile of half-forgotten projects that lay still, hidden underneath the table.

So, I've decided to start a new list.  I have to be honest, lists have always kept me going.  I make lists in my head, lists in the car, lists on the kid's old homework papers, lists on the back of receipts, lists on napkins in a restaurant, lists, lists, lists.  Even though I don't subscribe to it, (my husband hates the idea of someone making a list for him )I love the "honey-do-list".  My sister-in-law is infamous for this one.  Right at eye level it sits for all the men in her family to see.  My brother is her number one target.  He gets such a kick out of crossing one out.  Ahh, completed projects can really make your day, even if you weren't the one who did the actual work.  

My new list consists of categories.  House. Kid's schedules. Networking. Dog. Vacation Planning.  Shopping. Friends.  Banking.  Garden.  It all becomes yet an endless list of lists.  Isn't there something easier?  I need a new system.  I'll add that to my categories:  devise better list preparation.

This list preparation tool would allow me to have the categories as well as prioritize by each category.  In addition, I would be able to determine estimated amount of time to complete the project.  For instance, mailing a letter can easily be completed while walking the dog.  Two down, three hundred to go.  The formula would look something like this:

X=Y/time+Z/time*A/B(Y+Z)

(I'm no mathematician, but that's impressive!)

Ok, this all sounds so great... knocking off several things in one.  Hmmm, that would make for a good category, multiple projects.

Now, I've truly gone off the deep end.  I have single-handedly changed list making into categorizing.  The difference? Organizing my lists into multiple lists.  

Back to problem #1:

 My list keeps getting longer 

I think I'll go back to my old technique of just writing on scrap pieces of paper, as I gaze at the pile of half-dones, and cook a hot dog on my grill that I put together last week.  

Maybe I'll start a new list...