The List

On my desk, I keep a daily list of things to do.

At the top of a half-sheet of 8.5 x 11-inch paper, I write TTD, which means "things to do". It's a half-sheet because I don't want to waste paper, and of course, the paper has been used on the other side, a result of 12 years of Catholic school training. The nuns would be proud.

The list keeps me focused and helps me to remember some essential and some non-essential things I should accomplish. Once I complete a task, I strike through the item or if I want to feel extra satisfaction, I'll wait till the end of the day and strike out as many as I can.

If the list begins to look messy with all the scratch-outs, I write up a clean list on another half-sheet and start the elimination process again.

I have tried using Notes on my phone, but I forget to look at it, and it's not as satisfying as ripping up and tossing the used sheet of paper and filling a clean one with a new list.

After so many years of making lists and destroying the messy ones, I wish I had kept a separate list of ALL of the items I completed. This would give me a true sense of accomplishment. But imagine the pile of paper!

Many people have asked me how I do so many things. Well, now you know. I make a list. Ah, compulsion!

PVA

22 October 2025