To-Do List or Not To-Do List? It’s Really Not a Question.

Written by Julie Paiva, CHHC

 

As the holiday season is in full swing, we all have some extra things on our plates literally and figuratively.  These added responsibilities can create pressure and stress.  Making a list is one way to help you free up your mind and make sure that all your tasks get accomplished.  It will make you more productive, organized and efficient while saving time. Here are a few reasons why Santa shouldn’t be the only one making a list this holiday season.

 

Organizes Your Thoughts

 

Many times when we feel like we have a lot to do, we often can’t figure out where to start.  You might find yourself jumping from one thing to the next only to be left with several started projects yet nothing completed.  List making can help you organize your thoughts while getting them down on paper.  Lists are tools that help you keep your focus in all aspects of your life.

 

Breaks Things Down

 

When making a list, we naturally chunk down large projects into smaller tasks.  This decreases procrastination, lack of clarity, and frustration.  It allows you to get big things done over the course of several days while remaining focused on the end goal.

 

Increases Self Esteem

 

Checking things off your list leads to a sense of fulfillment, builds self-worth and provides us with a feeling of accomplishment.  It also helps us to feel more in control of our lives.  The increase of self-esteem helps to keep you motivated and productive in all areas of your life.

 

Helps You Prioritize and Delegate

 

When you write all the things down that need to get done, you may realize that not everything has to get done by you.  It is ok to delegate things to others.  Often, we take on too much ourselves which leaves us burnt out.  Prioritize your items, and see what ones can be passed onto others.  This will not only increase the probability of everything getting completed in a timely manner but to a high quality.

 

Saves Time

 

Writing down a to-do list takes just a minute and saves you time throughout your day.  Creating a clear and realistic game plan helps you tackle your day and prevents getting bogged down in unimportant things and details that eat up your time and distract you from your goal.

 

The Benefits Go Beyond the Obvious

 

The pay-offs of list-making are more than just well-done projects in a timely manner.  It reduces tension and stress which makes for better digestion and therefore improves our overall health.  Making lists boosts your brain power too.  The act of list making uses parts of the brain that we don’t normally use.  This helps your mind to stay sharp.  You will find that once you start making lists you get much more done throughout the day and have time left over to do the things that you enjoy.  Who wouldn’t be happy to be less stressed, healthier and have more time in their day doing the things they love?

Julie Paiva
Julie Paiva
Julie is a nutritional counselor with a degree in Holistic Health Coaching from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Connecticut State University in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Science from Southern Connecticut State University. She has been giving one-on-one coaching sessions ever since earning her degree in 2013 and is passionate about helping others implement a holistic lifestyle!

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