'To do' lists can save your sanity
Do you write your list on a sticky note, back of an envelope, or is it on perfumed paper?
The truth is it doesn’t matter where you write it; the simple act of writing one can give you some brilliant health benefits.
During my previous life working in education, my mind would often become overwhelmed with the different tasks I needed to do before I even got into the classroom. This would often make me feel unproductive, stressed, and miserable.
Lists became my friends and a great calming influence; I have even been known to write a list for my lists!
When I could no longer process the information in my head, it was time to organise it by writing it down. This way, I could clear my head, see what things were actually important, and even discover some things weren't as important as I thought they were.
It has even been discussed by professionals how our mental health can benefit from writing lists. It can:
Boost brainpower
Writing things down makes oxygenated blood move to the areas of your brain that are responsible for memory.
Focus thoughts
Having lots of ideas or tasks running around in your brain can make you confused and unproductive. Writing it down can show you which tasks are the most important and a place from where you can begin.
Give back a sense of control
When you are disorganised, it can make you feel like you have no control over things going on around you, but by writing a list, you are taking back control. You are deciding what needs to be done and when.
Prevent avoidance
It's hard to avoid if you can see a clear plan in front of you. Having a list means you are more likely to attempt to clear yourself of those tasks eventually.
Increase self-esteem by accomplishing
When your world is in chaos, it can make you feel unproductive, which can then make you feel like you can't achieve things and possibly lower your self-esteem. As I have said previously, writing a list can put things in order, give you a plan, make you more likely to act, and, therefore, make you feel productive. Feeling productive can give you positive emotions, making you feel good about yourself.
I do know some people who are not in the right frame of mind to "take on writing a long list", but that's ok. Don't make the act of writing the list into another large job that intimidates you. Your list doesn't have to be written in full today; pin a piece of paper somewhere and write an item/task when it pops into your head. Any step you make on that path of organisation and productivity is a positive step forward.
Find balance with support from a virtual assistant
If you find yourself tipping towards overworking and feeling overwhelmed, why not consider support from a virtual assistant, like Erin? Whether you need a hand with setting task reminders and document organisation or sending out invoices, get in touch to see how VA services from Bizzybee can help.
