
So, here’s three reasons why your to-do lists might be making you mad: 1.

At first glance, a long list of tasks is evidence of a determined go-getter, but being too unrealistic with your estimates can quickly stress you out.įeelings of disappointment after failing to complete all tasks, or the endless guilt of not being productive enough, can discourage you from making future to-do lists. On the contrary, many find their to-do lists simply don’t work, or they are the cause of stress and anxiety.įor the same reasons that to-do lists are motivating, they can just as easily become overwhelming – the “too much of a good thing” proviso. Therefore, the current scientific understanding is that to-do lists are cognitively efficient, having a direct influence on likelihood of attaining objectives. That means your to-do list goes a long way towards automating your actions, which reduces the likelihood of getting distracted or procrastinating. The older research of Masicampo & Baumeister indicates that to-do lists have positive influence on goal pursuit as “a plan eliminates the need for further involvement from thoughts and attention.” Either way, the research tells us we should be whipping up a to-do list daily. The results would suggest that successful people have a greater tendency for planning, or that planning makes us more successful. One 2020 study showed students who regularly wrote down desired goals (of any type) and enacted a plan ended up with better academic results. To-do lists are merely a physical manifestation of our deep psychological need to plan, an absolute precondition for productivity and goal-achievement. Implementing healthier working practices is easier than you’d think, and should be number one on everyone’s agenda! The Power of To-Do Lists Although, they can suddenly become the cause of your anxiety if you’re overly-ambitious or ill-prepared. Get the mix just right, to-do lists are unmatched for organizing your life and reducing stress. Amidst the constant fluctuations of modern life, a few bullet points can be the difference between easy and difficult times.


In a world of constant stimulus, being serious about to-do lists helps you stay in control and on course.
