Making Lists More Motivating

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig 

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you've probably noticed that I'm a huge fan of lists. Here is a smattering of the list posts I've written: Lists and Layers, Tips for Better To-Do Lists, and Using Lists to Write.

I use lists in a variety of ways to get my drafting, editing, and brainstorming done. They also help me fit writing into small spaces of time on extremely busy days.

But sometimes, looking at a list can be overwhelming. And, to me, that's just a bad list. Lists are meant to not only provide a plan for working through tasks, they're also supposed to be motivating. If looking at your list is making you want to procrastinate, that's a sign your list needs some revision.

Instead of writing “work on my book,” for instance, break the task down like this:

Open my document

Spend five minutes orienting myself to where I am in the story

Spend five minutes listing bullet points for the direction of the next scene

Write for seven minutes

How is this more motivating?  It gives you bite-sized tasks that you can quickly cross off your to-do list. If you have a particularly full day, you can knock things off the list at different points in your day while still making progress on your list.

Do you have a lot on your to-do list? How do you stay motivated when facing a big task?

A Tip for Making a List More Manageable:
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Image by 11066063 from Pixabay

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