Sometimes it’s the little habits that can help…or hinder us. An exploration of how we work through the medium of list-making; recognising there is no right or wrong approach. To Do vs Ta Dah!

During this podcast we explore key themes that help develop this valuable life skill: 

1.     How we can find ourselves wearing our behaviours like badges of honour – including the ones that don’t necessarily serve us well

2.     The burden of always having to be in control

3.     Some thoughts to reflect on with your own list-making habits and what it may reveal

THE KEY POINTS WE COVER…

·       How bringing our attention to our ‘list’ habits and behaviours help us see what’s serving us and what may be ruling us

·       Recognising when lists can be incredibly useful and understanding how we use them may reveal when something is in overdrive

·       The research suggests (Dr David Cohen) humans like lists because it; dampens anxiety, provides valuable structure, provides a plan to stick to and provides evidence of what has been achieved during a day, week...

·       Understanding that lists can also be a source of stress or procrastination or feel inhibiting for some

·       How being addicted to lists could be masking some inner turmoil 

·       The importance of self-reflection to identify sources of stress (e.g., trust, guilt, avoidance, perfectionism, control, skills, support, overwhelm) so that we can explore options and identify actions to help us move forward and support our well-being

·       How lists can be used to align tasks with energy levels or reward strategies for motivation

·       Recognising when our inner beliefs e.g.  ‘I must’ I should’ maybe putting unnecessary pressure on ourselves 

·       The importance of creatively experimenting with different list-making tools and techniques that support your individual style (handwritten, spreadsheets, mind maps, images, colours, calendar)

·       Understanding how effectively managing task boundaries supports our well-being

·       How writing things down  can provides a fulfilling sense of achievement – a Ta Dah list!

SOME REFERENCES…

·       The Guardian, Dr David Cohen – ‘The psychology of the to-do list – why your brain loves ordered tasks’ May 10 2017 https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/may/10/the-psychology-of-the-to-do-list-why-your-brain-loves-ordered-tasks

·       Harvard Business Review - ‘Your To-Do List Is, in Fact, Too Long’ August 11, 2020 https://hbr.org/2020/08/your-to-do-list-is-in-fact-too-long

·       Atomic Habits - James Clear

·       When Choice is Demotivating: Can One Desire Too Much of a Good Thing? Sheena S. Iyengar Columbia University Mark R. Lepper Stanford University

·       https://faculty.washington.edu/jdb/345/345%20Articles/Iyengar%20%26%20Lepper%20(2000).pdf

·       Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Consider It Done! Plan Making Can Eliminate the Cognitive Effects of Unfulfilled Goals E. J. Masicampo and Roy F. Baumeister Online First Publication, June 20, 2011. doi: 10.1037/a0024192

·       Trello – list making App

·       Gabor Mate - In the Realm