Lists, lists and more lists

Whether you prefer sticky notes, pads of paper, notebooks or electronic devices I encourage you to make lists for everything. The more you can free your mind the better. I keep a small notebook beside my bed so I can write things down before I go to bed. That way I don't have to worry about remembering them.

Here are my ongoing lists, how I record them and where I keep them:

• Master To Do - This is where I pull my Daily To Do list from. I have it in a word document for easy updating and I keep a print out in a folder with any corresponding paper work. This list is never ending but always revolving.
• Daily To Do - I use a sheet of scrap paper and pen. Once I complete an item I remove it from this and my Master To Do list. I will transfer any undone items to the next day and add more from the Master To Do.
• Cleaning and Home Maintenance - This is in a spreadsheet with chores broken up by day of the week. Quarterly and semi annual items are noted as well. I have this hanging on the wall in my office.
• Home Repair - Here I keep all the improvements we eventually want to make in a word document. This hangs on my husband's office wall. I guess you could call it his Honey Do list.
• Vacation Packing List - I keep this in a word document so I can print a new copy for each trip. It has everything for every kind of trip. I start by crossing anything off that doesn't apply to the current trip and then check each item as I pack.
• Books to Read, Movies to Watch & Songs to Buy - I keep this in the notes app on my iPhone. This way it is with me when I am shopping.
• Shows to Watch - I consider my DVR a list. :)
• Misc Ideas & Projects - Pinterest.com My favorite new site!
• Bills to Pay/Budget - Excel spreadsheet and Online Banking
• Account Information - I keep a printed copy in our safe deposit box. It has all our bank info, insurance info, credit card accounts, investments and the name and address of our attorney.
• Shopping - Items are logged as needed on white board on fridge. Before going to the store I note the items on my Cozi.com iPhone app.
• Goals: Lifetime, 10 year, 5 year, 1 year, monthly and weekly - I use a program from Raymond Aaron with pre-printed forms but a word document or journal would work well too.
• Birthdays and Special occasions - I have them set up to reoccur in my electronic calendar at Cozi.com.
• Things I Am Grateful For - Daily gratitude journal. This daily exercise is uplifting and a great stress reducer.

The great thing about lists is even if you don't refer to them daily somehow the items get done. I think the act of writing it down sets the plan in motion. Probably has something to do with the Law of Attraction and setting intentions. If you have a list that you don't see here I would love to hear about it. I can never have enough lists!