to do lists

I don't really like to make to do lists. Well, that's not exactly right. I do like to make lists, but after I make them I really don't use them. It goes back to my work days. Sitting in meetings, at conferences, waiting for appointments I made list after list of things I needed to do, ideas I had, dishes I wanted to make, books I wanted to read, etc., etc., etc. While in grad school I made lists of ideas for my dissertation, articles to read, websites to review, etc., etc., etc.

I had a doctor appointment today and was waiting on and off for about two hours. In the past I would have had a meltdown at hanging around that long. But since I've been in grad school I am never without an article to read or notes to review, so I was prepared to pass the time.

Of course I also had my datebook with me so I went over my schedule and then I started making lists: things to do for the dissertation, projects at home, little things that I haven't had time to follow-up with, projects for my advisor, produce to get at Saturday's farmers' market, and a preliminary grocery list.

Now I am sitting here with all these to-do lists staring at me. I've crossed a couple things off, and done some things that I haven't crossed off, and there are a few things that I know I won't get to . . . ever. And thus my dislike of to-do lists. I have no doubt that there are some people that find lists necessary and helpful. But I just find them overwhelming, not to mention the fact that I don't really need to make lists to remember what I need to get done. So here's what will happen with my list making today: next week I'll turn the page in my datebook and all the lists will be forgotten.