The Tyranny of Lists

July 20, 2019 by still a dreamer

Lists were once my steadfast friends. They stood by me through thick and thin, kept me organized and on track, and confident that everything was going smoothly. And then they took a turn, and could, I found, be my worst critics, leading me to wonder if I was failing.

I’ve always had two different list pads. The one you see on the left takes myriad forms and appearances. What I list there is still enormously useful – food shopping and cleaning tasks go there, as well as my daily to-do list for work. As my work has me often jumping back and forth between different projects and/or different clients, a list makes sure I cover everything and get done what needs to be done in a timely manner. Those lists are still my friends.

It’s the one on the right that had become suspect. I absolutely love this list pad – given to me by a friend who has always believed in me, it simply says “FOLLOW YOUR PATH.” It’s where I have always listed my personal creative goals – my writing and illustrating of children’s books; growing my shop and business on Etsy which features my French Bulldog art; updating and writing my current website and blogs; expanding a social media presence, etc., etc. Needless to say, all of these involve a multitude of tasks and effort. So I started making lists on this pad of all the things I need to do.

It was the first time a list ever turned on me, taunted me, left me feeling like I might be failing. Whenever I looked at that list, it made me wonder how would I ever possibly get where I wanted to go? And then I decided to not write any of it down. After all, who knows better than I what needs to be done?

I decided to go for a kinder and gentler use of that lovely pad. Now I consider the time I have, and the task(s) I most need and want to get done and can accomplish in that time, and chunk it down into do-able steps. The fact is, neither I – nor you – can do everything at once, and for this we need to forgive ourselves while still doing what we CAN do. We can assess our goals; make sure we have our priorities straight; and then make a plan to get there.

And so my list became my friend again.

Posted in Children's Books, Creativity, Home Stuff, Illustration, Inspiration, Life, Reflections, Writing | Tagged aspirations, decisions, dreams, keeping organized, Lists, managing life, organized, plans, success | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on July 20, 2019 at 5:48 pm | Reply Patricia Koelmel

Great blog, Jeanne. I, too, am a lover of lists. But some lists, like yours, can make one feel overwhelmed. I know because I have had lists like that and instead of helping, they were crushing me. Glad you reached a compromise.

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- on July 20, 2019 at 6:37 pm | Reply still a dreamer
  
  Thanks, Pat. Crushing – very apt term. We’ve all got enough on our plates without being crushed by what should help – I agree.
  
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- on July 27, 2019 at 9:00 am | Reply writersideup
  
  Patricia! How ARE you?! I hope all is well 🙂 oxox
  
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  - on July 27, 2019 at 2:28 pm | Reply still a dreamer
    
    Donna, Pat and I are going out tomorrow – I will be sure to tell her you said hello!! I know she’ll appreciate it. xoxoxo!
    
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on July 20, 2019 at 6:44 pm | Reply mjzonfrillo

I love this! My life is a list…miss you my friend…we need to be together soon…been crazy few weeks!😘 p.s I’ll like it on your page..

Sent from my iPad

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- on July 21, 2019 at 7:36 am | Reply still a dreamer
  
  Miss you, too! We will get together soon – it’ll be top on the list. Haha! 🙂
  
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on July 20, 2019 at 6:46 pm | Reply mjzonfrillo

Also…you need to help me to get back on track…

Sent from my iPad

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- on July 21, 2019 at 7:36 am | Reply still a dreamer
  
  Always happy to talk about being/getting on track. 🙂
  
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on July 21, 2019 at 7:20 am | Reply Andrea Stephenson

I love lists Jeanne, but I often think I like writing the lists more than doing what’s on them! I’m glad you found a way to make the lists work for you.

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- on July 21, 2019 at 7:39 am | Reply still a dreamer
  
  And yes, then there’s that – the simple joy of making the list and having it all stop swirling around in our heads! I do still worry about how to get it all done, but when a list turns a “want to” into a “have to” then something needs to be looked at.
  
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on July 27, 2019 at 9:01 am | Reply writersideup

I’ve been a list maker all my adult life and I sincerely wish I only needed two pads. They ARE crushing, but if I didn’t make them, none of it would get done. I’m happy you were able to make your decision!

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- on July 27, 2019 at 2:27 pm | Reply still a dreamer
  
  I agree – they are enormously helpful, and I still do use several. Just very careful about messing with the creative process. 🙂
  
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on July 31, 2019 at 5:47 am | Reply Cheryl Capaldo Traylor

Love that notepad’s message! I’ve always been a lister. As a fairly unfocused person, lists work well to keep me on task. As long as I don’t allow them to overwhelm me, which happens. I agree with taking small chunks of tasks to keep them manageable. I do tend to get more done when I use my to-do list. But, sometimes it’s good to not do. Sometimes it’s good to just BE. 🙂

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- on July 31, 2019 at 9:28 am | Reply still a dreamer
  
  Exactly. Sometimes a list can take the stuffin’ right out of a dream or vision – but for getting the things out of the way so one can settle down and bring a vision to life? Fabulous.
  
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