Silver Clipboard: Time Management Tips and Personal Productivity Tools

On day 14 of 30 Days to a More Organized Life you learned how making lists can help you stay organized. By now you have probably made a number of lists but, there is one category you may not have considered: people. People are lists too.

Just as you have an ‘errands’ list to check when you’re out of the house, it’s good to have lists for people in your life who you interact with frequently. People such as your family members, good friends and spouse are all candidates for lists of their own.

As an example, when I work with time management clients who are planning a wedding, making a list for their soon-to-be spouse is a vital part of the process. In any medium-to-large wedding, there are an enormous number of things that need the input of both the bride and groom. If each partner keeps a list of things to discuss with the other, it makes the whole process much smoother.

In the workforce, having a list dedicated to your boss or coworkers helps you look more professional. To walk into someones office with a list of questions for them, and check each off as you’re speaking, is the height of respect for the other person’s time. (This looks particularly good if used in conjunction with a clipboard).

Lastly, for personal relationships it’s a good idea to keep a private list about the other person. For example, if my wife mentions a item that she likes, the chance that I’ll remember her off-the-cuff remark when her birthday comes is close to zero. But, with my pocket notebook, I can discretely jot down the idea when she’s not looking. Then, during the next weekly review, I’ll move that information into my ‘wife gifts’ list.

Start making lists that relate to people, and watch not only your organization improve but also your relationships.

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Header photograph by: jeremybarwick