In Praise of Lists

True confession time. I am a compulsive list creator. I have lists for just about EVERYTHING. Some are active to-do lists. Others are annual or seasonal to-do lists. I have “master plans” and “other than master plans”. I have never met a list that I did not love.

I use post it notes (two sizes), recycled printer pages that I convert into 4 scratch pad sheets per page, and 6” x 9” note pads. Of course, there are also electronic tools that I deploy including Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Keep.

The great thing about these Google Apps is that they are synced to, and available on, any of my devices. My CRM, Nimble, is devoted to tasks that are associated with clients. Of course, the nice thing about electronics is that I can review and edit those files at any time and at literally any place.

My master to-do list is my 6” x 9” sheet which itemizes my tasks by day for two full weeks out. I review this page constantly, edit it as needed, and rewrite it at the end of every week. Maintaining this list is very much like a game to me. It’s a competition with myself.

I find that physically writing a task down solidifies it’s importance. I revel in being able to erase (I rarely cross out) completed tasks. I constantly move tasks, generally up, whenever I can. My goal is to look ahead at what is coming up and, if I can complete that task early … all the better.

The result is that I am always ahead of schedule and never behind. Because I have lists that are associated with repetitive tasks, I don’t spend any time thinking about what those tasks entail and I don’t risk forgetting to perform important elements.

For example, my camping list includes grocery items, an equipment checklist, packing lists, and other things to do that are associated with us leaving such as stopping the mail and setting my out of office reply. I have just completed my spring checklist which is designed to get everything out of winter storage status.

I haven’t always been this way. It has become more pronounced with age. It is fair to say that I do have OCD tendencies. No, I don’t wash my hands 7 times a day. Nothing like that. My OCD shows up in my lists, my need for things to be organized, and my desire to not have to rely on others. I control my world. Oh yeah, I forgot about those crooked pictures:)

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Craig M. Jamieson

Managing Member at Adaptive Business Services

Craig M. Jamieson is a lifelong B2B salesperson, manager, owner, and a networking enthusiast. Adaptive Business Services provides solutions related to the sales professional. We are a Nimble CRM Solution Partner. Craig also conducts training and workshops primarily in social selling and communication skills. Craig is also the author of "The Small Business' Guide to Social CRM", now available on Amazon!