THE 6 ADVANTAGES OF MAINTAINING A TO-DO LIST

1. A to-do list helps us know the different things that have to be done so that we do not miss anything.

2. A to-do list is more dependable than our memory.

3. Once we have a written list of the things that we have to do, we can prioritize and decide which jobs should be done first.

4. Sometimes one or more jobs may require that we go to another location. A to-do list helps us to avoid repetition of labor. For example, if we have to deliver a document at an office and collect a document from another office, which is on the same block as the first office, both these tasks can be done together. It saves the time and effort of going to the same place twice. But only if we have a ‘to-do’ list can we know in advance that there are two jobs at the same place. Postal workers operate this way when they deliver mail.

5. A to-do list enables us to cross out the tasks, which have finished doing which gives us a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. It also has the effect of shocking us if nothing at all has been done and crossed out.

6. If anything remains on today’s list, it can be carried over to tomorrow’s list and that is excellent way of preparing a to-do list for the day, by examining the ‘to-do’ list of yesterday and carrying out any task that has been left undone. Now, when we talk about preparing a to-do list, there are two important points that should not be missed out.

1. The ‘to-do’ list should be realistic.

2. It is not enough that only daily ‘to-do’ lists be prepared.

The list needs to be realistic because it should include only things that can be accomplished in a day. There is no sense in preparing a list that includes items that can only be done over a week. And it is here that it becomes relevant to prepare a ‘to-do’ list for a week, a month, and even a year.