ToDo Lists at Home

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about how I use todo lists at work, but I use them pretty differently at home.

I use electronic calendar, notes and reminders applications, but there is something about having a written list that I don’t think I will ever be able to get away from. Every Sunday, as I am getting ready for the week ahead, I write out my schedule, including not just scheduled activities, but also when I plan to do laundry, cook, grocery shop, or other such household tasks. I also keep a running list on the side of this schedule with household projects or tasks that I need or want to do in the coming weeks, but that aren’t necessarily time sensitive to the current week. As you look at your weekly schedule, you may find good times to slot in those longer-term projects. Writing it out like this gives me the ability to see everything I need to get done in a particular week and to be able to plan ahead, especially for introverted me time so that I can avoid burnout. I also love the satisfaction of being able to cross things off each day. Of course, if written lists aren’t your thing, all of this can be easily accomplished electronically. Just build all of your household tasks into your calendar or reminders. If you take the minimal time to add them to your schedule, you will be more likely to actually get them done as you’ve blocked off specific timing for those tasks.

There are also several specific lists I keep on my notes app so that they are easily accessible whenever I need them:

• Shopping List - It seems obvious that you want your grocery list easily accessible anytime, but what about when you need a new pair of jeans or a paper towel holder? Add it to your shopping list!

• Questions for Doctors - Keep a running list of questions for your doctors. Have separate sections for each doctor and add to it whenever you think of something. Refer back to your list right before your appointment as a reminder of what is there, but also take it out DURING your appointment so you don’t forget anything. You can even take notes on the answers right within your list! I also keep track of my last appointments and my current medications, as those are frequent questions at doctor’s offices, so it’s nice to have the information summarized all in one place.

• Vacation Days - Most employers only allot a set number of vacation days each year. I like to have a rough plan of how I am planning to use my vacation days as a new year starts, which obviously can be tweaked as plans are solidified. Having them generally planned out this way helps prevent getting to the end of the year without enough days to take off for the holidays.

How do you use todo lists at home?