I love making lists.
I make lists for everything. Of course, there are the obvious grocery lists and daily to-do lists, but you can make lists for all sorts of things.
I do. And you should try it too.
Why I Make a List for Everything
I have lists of things, tasks, projects, and goals. I have lists of lists.
It may seem like list-making gone wild, but I love it. Lists help me stay focused and knock essential items off my….list.
Here are the top reasons why I keep so many lists.
I Forget Things Without My List
If you’re someone who can keep everything organized in their head, then I hate you.
Okay, not really.
I’m just jealous that I’m incapable of doing that. If I don’t write something down, it’s gone, never to be remembered again.
That is until someone else brings it up, and I realize I completely dropped the ball.
I have ADHD, so writing everything out on a list where I can see it helps me remember.
Lists Keep Me Organized
Andrey_Popov via Shutterstock.com.
My ADHD leads to a lot of disorganization.
When I was in school, I always left my signed permission slips at home, put my homework in the wrong folders, and grabbed the wrong books for class.
Now that I’m an adult, I’ve found that making lists helps me organize everything I need. I have a list of the things that need to be in my purse before I leave the house, a list of priority tasks I need to accomplish, and a list of bills that need to be paid.
Keeping everything organized in list form keeps me on track.
Lists Prevent Me from Overspending
Yes, we all know that grocery store lists help us with the budget. Making that list for grocery shopping and sticking to it is a tried-and-true way to save money on groceries.
But it also helps me at other stores. Have you ever been able to avoid impulse buys at Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond? It’s so hard. You go there for one thing and come home with a cartload!
I’ve been there.
The best way to prevent overspending at Target is to avoid going there altogether, but sometimes, we need things we can only get at the enticing store.
Whether you need new dish towels or a replacement coffee pot, put it on your list. When you see that adorable knickknack, basket, plant, or journal that you can’t help but toss in the cart – stop.
Pause for a second. Check your list.
Is it there?
If not, put it back. You don’t need it.
Forcing the Message to Sink In
There’s power in writing something down. The items on your list become more than passing thoughts; they’re things you will do.
When you write something on your list, you’re sending a message to yourself that it’s vital.
The Satisfaction of Crossing Something Off
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A via Shutterstock.com.
My favorite feeling in the world is the moment of bliss I receive from crossing a horrendous task off a to-do list. It’s even better than completing the task itself!
Here’s my dark little secret (don’t judge me!). Sometimes, I’ll put something on my list after I finish it, just for the satisfaction of crossing it off.
It feels so good.
A completely crossed-off to-do list is a work of art. Try it sometime, and revel in the feeling of accomplishment you have for simply completing a list.
How to Create a List
We will get super meta here and write a list about how to make a list. It’s terrific, isn’t it?
- Get out your pen and paper
- Brainstorm the things you need on your list
- Write them down!
You can write your list on anything. I use a journal for some of my lists, a planner for others, and Post-It Postable lists for anything I need to take with me (like grocery and shopping lists).
The Ultimate List of Lists
I bet you’re wondering how many lists you can actually make.
Well, let this list of lists count as one, and then we shall see how many different types of lists you can create!
Sometimes, making the list is part of the fun!
Lists for Productivity
khunkornStudio via Shutterstock.com.
Lists for productivity include all the lists you need to make to complete work.
Make lists of:
Daily Tasks
Priority Tasks
Top Weekly Goals
Project Goals
Daily Meetings
Things You Need To Do Before Getting Started
Daily Schedule
Weekly Schedule
Items You Need To Revisit
Things That Can Wait for Later
Reason You Need to Stay on Track
Rewards to Give Yourself for Meeting Goals
Money Lists
Kmpzzz via Shutterstock.com.
List-making can help you make, save, and manage your money. You might be shocked at how lists can help you achieve your financial goals.
Top Financial Goals in Life
Grocery List
Shopping List
Financial Planning Checklist
Side Hustle Ideas
Savings Goals
Annual Bills
Monthly Bills
Weekly//Biweekly Bills
Financial Priorities
Things You Want To Buy When You Have Money
Financial Accounts and How To Access Them
Career Goals
Job Skills You Have
Job Skills You Want To Develop
Dumbest Things You’ve Bought
Biggest Ways You Waste Money
Best Purchases You’ve Ever Made
Lists for Around the House
New Africa via Shutterstock.com.
Lists can help you manage your household. Use these list ideas to keep track of things around the house.
Spring Cleaning
Monthly/Weekly Chores
Daily/Weekly Activities
Vehicle Maintenance Log
Running List of Household Items You Need
Home Improvement Ideas
DIY Ideas
Things To Sell on Marketplace
Ideas for Family Fun Night
Home Maintenance Log
Appointments
Contact List of Loved Ones
Emergency Preparedness List
Emergency Contact List
Packing Lists (travel, school, work)
Special Occasion Lists
Ekaterina_Molchanova via Shutterstock.com.
Stay prepared for special occasions by organizing your needs into lists. Here are lists that can help you plan for special events.
Invitation/Guest List
Food & Beverages
Potluck Items You Can Make
Christmas Card Recipients
Gift Checklist
Budget
Decorations
Contractors
Important Dates for Your Family & Friends
Self-Improvement and Personal Development lists
KieferPix via Shutterstock.com.
Making a list can help you stay on track to meet all your self-improvement goals. Some of our personal development list ideas help you accomplish goals, while others remind you of all the great things you already have in your life.
These lists can help you feel better about yourself or motivate you to accomplish more.
Morning Routine Checklist
Evening Routine Checklist
Things You Want To Give Up
Habits You Want To Develop
Mental Health Goals
Weekly Review List
Monthly Review List
Life Goals You Want To Achieve
Life Goals You’ve Already Accomplished
Reasons To Be Proud of Yourself
Workout Ideas
Areas for Self-Improvement
Gratitude
Your Values
Your Strengths
Your Weaknesses (and Ideas for Improvement!)
Meal Plan
Fitness Goals
Personal Boundaries
Wellness Goals
Skills You Want To Learn
Things to Include in Your Elevator Pitch
Books You Want To Read
Limiting Beliefs
Challenges You’ve Overcome
Things You Need To Stop Worrying About
Greatest Fears
Favorite Things About Yourself
Ways You Could Give Back
Your Favorite Self-Improvement Tools and Resources
Relaxation Techniques
Things to Forgive
Reasons To Be Happy Today
Fun Lists to Make
GaudiLab via Shutterstock.com.
Here’s where list-making gets interesting. You can make a list about nearly anything, from your favorite X to your craziest ideas.
Discover over 100 fun lists you can make, and share the whacky ideas I missed in the comments!
Favorite Movies
Movies You’ve Seen
Best Movie Quotes
Favorite Books
Favorite Blogs (Please put this one on the list!)
Books You’ve Read
Favorite Songs
Favorite Bands
Bands You Want To See Live
All the Concerts You’ve Been To
Favorite Works of Art
Favorite Artists
The Most Famous Artworks You’ve Seen Live
Favorite Video Games
Hardest Video Games You’ve Ever Played
Games You Want To Play
Most Overrated Games
Favorite Television Shows
Show You Want To Watch
Favorite Foods
Exotic Foods You Want To Try
Recipe Ideas
Celebrities You’d Love To Meet
Historical Figures You’d Want To Meet
The Most Inspirational Men in Your Life
The Most Inspirational Women in Your Life
Historical Men You Admire
Historical Women You Admire
Favorite Quotes
Daily Affirmations
Most Extraordinary Things You’ve Ever Seen
Wildest Adventures You’ve Ever Had
Coolest Places You’ve Been
All the Interesting Places You’ve Been
Your Random Scientific Theories
Creative Projects You Can Do
Scariest Things That Ever Happened to You
Weirdest Things That Ever Happened to You
Favorite Ghost Stories & Urban Legends
Scary Places You Want To Visit
Travel Destinations You Want To Explore
The Things You’d Do if You Had a Million Dollars
How You Want To Change the World
Novel Ideas
Things You Can Draw
Things You Wish You Could Draw
Hobbies You’d Like To Try
The People Who’ve Touched Your Life
Things To Do When You’re Bored
Treasured Memories
Inventory of Collectibles
Favorite School Subjects as a Child
Favorite Topics To Study Now
Your “Niche” Special Interests
All the Things You Could Give a Five-Minute Presentation on Without Any Prep Time
Things You Hate
Invention Ideas
Things that Make You Happy
Your Favorite Simple Pleasures
Dream Jobs
Birds You’ve Seen
Insects You’ve Seen
Your Ultimate Gift Wish List
All the Animals You Can Think of (Try Going A-Z!)
Spells You’d Create if You Had Magic Powers
Favorite Mythological Creatures
Favorite Things To Do Outside
Favorite Things To Do Inside
The Best Smells in the World
Favorite Childhood Activities
Your Best Friends
Favorite Traditions
The Cultural Traditions You’d Like To Try
The Craziest Historical Events
The Most Believable Conspiracy Theories
The Dumbest Conspiracy Theories
The Best Compliments You’ve Ever Received
People You Should Compliment More
Ways To Be Nicer to Friends and Family
Date Night Ideas
Weekend Trip Ideas
The Things on Your “Someday” List
Things that Seem Cool but Aren’t Worth the Effort
Pet Names
Baby Names
Silly Terms of Endearment for Your Loved Ones
Road Trip Ideas
The Best Things To Do in Your Town
The Best Things To Do in Your State
Things You Want To Do in Your Town
Things You Want To Do in Your State
Quirky Things You’d Want in Your Dream Home
The Wildest, Craziest Things You Can Imagine
Jobs You’d Like To Try for a Day
Experiments You Can Try at Home
All the Things You Wanted To Be When You Grew Up
Things You Want To Be Known for
Your Favorite Superheroes
The Superhero Abilities You’d Love To Have
The Most Interesting Science Facts You Know
Your Favorite Life Hacks
Your Darkest Secrets
The Things You Want Most in Life
List of your Favorite Lists
Email Lists
Speaking of lists, have you signed up for my email list yet? You know you want to!
List Making Apps
I’m old school. I’m no technophobe, but I love the simplicity of a pen-and-paper list.
However, many prefer technology and would rather use a mobile app to make a list.
Here are some of the best list-making apps you can get!
Hey folks! Transparency Disclosure- Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. That means I’ll receive a small commission if you decide to click on it and buy something. Don’t worry, it doesn’t cost you anything extra!
Microsoft To-Do
To-Do is a basic personal task management app. It integrates with Outlook, so if you use that as your primary email provider, you can have it all in one place.
Google Keep
Google Keep doesn’t have the functionality of Microsoft’s app, but it’s a great option if you don’t need something that integrates with your work life. If you need a simple to-do list app, Google Keep has you covered.
One great thing about Google Keep is its note-taking functionality. You can even dictate notes to the app rather than writing them down!
Remember the Milk
Remember the Milk is a task list app with a lot of functionality. Unfortunately, you need to upgrade to the pro version to get all that. At only $39 per year, though, it’s one of the cheapest paid list-making apps.
However, if you don’t want the bells and whistles, you can easily use Remember the Milk for free. The most significant limitation of the free version is that it won’t send you in-app reminders, but you can still get free text and email reminders.
Todoist
Todoist is great because the free option has tons of functionality. The free versions are essential when you’re on a budget!
Some cool features of Todist include the ability to assign and prioritize tasks and add tasks via email.
Habitica
Habitica is a great app because it seeks to gamify getting things done. You can even have a little character that levels up when you finish something!
Get Your List On!
List-making is the best. Try it, and you won’t go back!