To-do lists as therapy

I’ve started to realize that I’m not alone in my obsession with to-do lists.  And while some people talk through their stress, and others absorb it (not healthy), I chose to make lists and clear my brain of whatever mess is occupying it.

I don’t have a favorite style – I’ve done graphic flow charts, project plans, outlines, bullet points.  I recently did a fairly complex “network diagram” to describe my life.  I told you, I’m obsessed.

This weekend a few unfortunate miscommunications occurred and had me running in circles – worn out and frustrated.  So here I am at Barnes and Noble, drinking a coffee and making my newest list, designed to create more order and efficiency in my head.  Since we bloggers are simply exhibitionists behind computers, I’ll share it with you:

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Things I have to accomplish on a daily basis

·         Make Lunches for daycare/work

·         Dishes

·         Laundry – at least one load and put away dry stuff

·         Plan Dinner (or delegate)

·         Fun outdoor activity with Grant (walk, park, etc)

·         Work – lead followup, twitter, blog, check in on 10 members of my network and introduce self to 5 new people I’ve never talked to before.

Be more efficient: Only clean up toys twice: At lunch and bedtime.  Plan dinner the night before.  Make lunches while grant is having breakfast.  Do dishes while Seth gives grant a bath (or vice versa)

Things I have to accomplish on a weekly basis

·         Cleaning the floors

·         Cleaning the bathrooms

·         Cleaning the stove, microwave and fridge

·         Grocery shopping

·         Weeding

Be more efficient:   Choose one big chore per day that I’m home with Grant: Tuesday – floors, Friday bathrooms, Saturday – Stove, Microwave and fridge, Sunday – weeding.

Menu planning on Friday night for weekend grocery shopping at swap meet, costco, etc.

Things I would really like to accomplish that aren’t in the normal routine:

1.       Update website

2.       Custom Blog background

3.       Matching custom twitter background

4.       Paint master bedroom and bathroom

5.       Get a new rug for Grant’s room

6.       Steam clean carpets

7.       Plan an outdoor toddler party to celebrate the new picket fence being completed

8.       Finish “Daddy and Me” Scrapbook (in time for fathers day)

House projects (in order of priority)

1.       Picket fence (in progress)

2.       Attic vent

3.       Paint house and plant front yard tree (non-fruiting plum? NF Olive?)