Aaron Hollman's Blog

Do you use to do lists? Do they work for you or do you end up using them for maybe a week then abandon them? I usually end up abandoning them mostly because my schedule is so spontaneous that they don’t work for me anyway. There are times, however, when a to do list would come in handy and be useful. I have even gone so far as to write my own small OS X application called Too Due to keep track of my to do items. Just one problem with that, portability.

I have recently begun to contemplate going back to the old way of using to do lists, pen and paper. In addition to this, I have thought about using not just one to do list, but two. This may sound a little extreme at first, I mean, who needs two to do lists? I do have, what I consider, a very thought out and sound reason for using two to do lists.

The first to do list would be one-time tasks that never repeat, or repeat so infrequently, each time its performed, its treated like a new task. Changing the oil in the car would be an example of this. (unless you drive a lot)

The second list is the one I am focusing on here. I am calling it a Repetitive To Do list. This list would contain all the repetitive tasks for a week that I need to do, much like the chore list that our parents used to have on the fridge for us to earn our allowances for the week. Once a task on the repetitive to do list is done, it will be checked off for that week. Not only does this let you know that that particular task is done, it also gives you a sense of accomplishment by taking one step toward finishing the week.

Repetitive To Do List

I like the idea of the Repetitive To Do list and look forward to implementing it. There are a few variations on the list that I can think of to try. They are the following:

• Print out the list then have it laminated. Use a dry erase marker to add tasks and check them off when finished.
• Add twelve more columns, one for each month so that when that month is finished, you can check it off. This will only really work with the laminated list as mentioned above.
• Add an extra column for multi-user use. Put the name of the person who the task belongs to in that column.
• Use different colored dry erase markers for each person.
• Place the list on the fridge for family use. Parents, don’t just use this for kids, be a good example and show them that you have tasks to do as well.

Nothing is set in stone. Use whatever makes things easiest for you.

aaron

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