Why do you keep a task list? Have you really thought about why?
At work it is fairly obvious, I’m expected to accomplish certain things as part of my job; therefore I need to be aware of my tasks and ensure I complete them. But what about at home, why do I have a task list there as well?
For some of the tasks it is because something needs doing and my husband and I have decided that I’m responsible e.g. booking the car in for a service. However this does not explain the majority of my task list. Many of the tasks are associated with me sorting or completing tasks e.g. reading my backlog of magazines. The aim being, once they are done I will have more time to spend on my chosen activities. This is the forward looking aspect of my task list; helping me create the future I want.
However, during some recent sorting (to make room for a new baby) I discovered several old task lists. There were two notebooks I used for AutoFocus, a diary I used for Do it tomorrow, and a folder containing lots of print outs from a method I’d created using Access as a collection and prioritising tool. Many of these were from 2008.
So why did I keep old task lists? Did I really think I was going to look back at them and wonder what tasks I’d completed on a specific day?
It suggests to me I’m naturally backwards looking (perhaps supported by my journal writing). Or maybe I’m trying to leave lots of information for my future biography writer!
I would prefer to be looking forward and building the future I want. But I’m not sure there is anything wrong with keeping a backwards view if it is useful or interesting; and if space is not at a premium as it will be for us in a few weeks! I’ve made the decision that old task lists are neither useful nor interesting and therefore recycled all the lists and hope in the future I can continue with that approach.
Do you think you are forward or backwards looking? Do you think it offers benefits? What do you do with old task lists?
My name is Kate Davis and I'm working towards a happier and successful life and this blog follows my journey. I work almost full time as an environmental consultant and project manager and I'm the mother to a beautiful two year daughter.
4 Comments
“Past is past”, they say. You cannot rewrite history but the future is yet to be written. That is why it is not important to dilly-dally in the past, lest you get stuck there. Always plan forward even if you are the type who takes one day at a time. However, it is good to look back over your shoulder. We learn things from the things we did. The past does teach us things that can help us as we go forward.
I wonder if I do learn from things I’ve done in the past as I don’t review what I write, could I do it subconsciously?
Actually, I don’t see any problem looking at the past records as long as it will help you solve present or future problems. Just assure that you have them only as a guide to new ideas and don’t rely on them totally.
It’s good to reminisce the challenging past when you’re in the period of success. Never forget where you came from, it made who you are right now.
I too, I don’t see anything wrong taking down notes for future references and looking at them. I think, every experiences at the past made you the way you are right now so sometimes it’s better to sometimes look at it but not stick to it.