Can do lists

You don't like to-do lists.  Same as me.  Good, you might like this idea.

'Can-do lists'

There it is.  I read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin on the way to Australia.  I don't normally like books written by women, but the premise had promise.  Anyway, she said one thing like liked.  In order to decrease the weight of unfinished tasks in her life, she decided to not put off any task that takes less than a minute.  Seemed like good advice, so I thought I'd try it.  Only make it better.

I don't like to-do lists; they don't work for me.  I don't have any interest in letting an inanimate piece of paper tell me what to do.  And if the task is added by my wife, then it degenerates to a vicarious nag.  But can-do lists, now that's another story.  I don't have to do anything on them, but they'll probably make my life better.

Since I don't like lists, I made four: a list of 1-minute tasks, 5-minute, few-hours, and important tasks.  Now, if I have 5 minutes to spare and a desire to get something done, I have a place to look, but no rush.

In order that these remain positive in my mind, I have two rules:

1. It only contains tasks I want to accomplish - that I think will make my life better.

2. My wife cannot suggest a task for me to add - it's all me.

And there it is.  My smart phone has been essential in this endeavor.  As soon as I think of something interesting, I can add it to a list and not be concerned about forgetting.

Problem sovled.