by Elizabeth M. Hammons

Created on: August 05, 2008   Last Updated: August 22, 2008

Simplify Life with a Perpetual To Do List
Life is hectic, and we are constantly looking for ways to simplify our lives. People in every part of our lives are constantly adding to our mental To Do List. If we let the little tasks pile up, two things will happen. First, our lives will feel disheveled and our homes will look cluttered. Second, we will never get to the big important tasks that we need to accomplish or if we do, we will not be able to concentrate. So what needs to be done to keep our waking hours from being eaten up by a thousand tiny tasks? The Perpetual To Do List is the answer.

I keep with me a reporter's notepad. In it I write down every thing I think of that needs doing or is requested of me. When I have a short break, I pull out the pad and mark one or two things off the list. This list is limited to tasks that take 5 minutes or less to complete or can be done while running errands. If I am asked to complete a larger more complicated task, I make a note of it and put it on my Daily To Do List when I am planning for the next day. A typical task in my Perpetual List is "Call Cell Company to Ask About Combining Lines." This task is one that can be done anytime anywhere as long as I have my cell phone on me. It isn't particularly urgent or important so I wouldn't put it on my Daily To Do List as it is reserved for tasks that are complex or must be completed that day.

I am pulled in many different directions at once. Setting priorities can be difficult since my tendency is to work on the most recent request. By writing everything down I am confident I won't forget something and am able to prioritize the tasks to best use the time I have.

To some people, it may seem that I am complicating my life rather than simplifying it by having two To Do Lists. On the contrary, my life is much simpler for it. Every night before I go to bed I sit down with my Daily To Do list and my Perpetual To Do list. I look over what I was not able to mark off my Daily List and for any time-sensitive tasks on the Perpetual List then add them to the next day. Finally I look at the day I have planned and attempt to pare it down to a realistic amount of work. After I have a good plan in mind for the next day, I go to bed. I sleep peacefully without the never-ending mayhem of things I need to do or not forget running through my head. I know I have a plan and everything will get taken care of thanks to my decision to simplify my life with a Perpetual To Do List.

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