I can’t say I’ve ever in my life completed a traditional to-do list. Yes, there are specific ones with time limits, like buying Christmas gifts or preparing for a trip. But I have never, ever finished a general to-do list. Back when I was working in an office without even a personal computer, I made a paper list. I hung it on the front of my file cabinet where it was always visible. As I finished things, I’d check them off. As I thought of other things I needed to do, I’d add them. People would come in and ask for help or information. I’d add to the list. I needed another sheet of paper, then another. Even when I rewrote it to take out the stuff I’d done, it was growing. This huge, mocking list that was always right there in my face. The list of shame.
Categories: Productivity