This post may be completely irrelevant to anyone who is not as obsessed as I with making lists. Since I was a kid I was making lists for everything I needed to do. Even when my life consisted of nothing more than brushing my teeth and watching SpongeBob, they were on the list.
As I’ve gotten older and taken on more responsibilities, my lists actually serve more of a purpose than they once did. You’ll usually find thousands of them scattered throughout the house when I am beyond stressed. That and chocolate wrappers. I’m a visual person and if I can see what needs to be done, it will get done.
Sometimes my lists serve zero purpose and I forget about them completely. Just the fact I wrote my thoughts down got it out of my head and onto paper making it possible to sleep again.
Other lists are sacred. I’ll fold them neatly and place them in a special pocket of my purse. Everyday I’ll take it out and check off whatever I accomplished that day with a toothy smile.
When I’m being a procrastinating and forgetful biotch, I go a step further and deplete my work’s Post-It supply. This usually happens when “The List” has been looked at 10x and nothing is getting done. The post-its come out in full effect and get plastered on my car windshield, cell phone, and computer screen.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, ME LOVE LISTS!
The lists have now turned into more effective forms of grocery shopping, meal preparation and workout regimens. If I make lists to get an oil change, shouldn’t I be making lists to lift a shit ton of weights today?
I started writing my workouts down in my planner and eventually began making weekly lists of the workouts I would do each day. Going to the kitchen to make some cookie dough to eat before any baking happens cookies is a lot more difficult to do with your workout plan judging you from the door.
Some weeks I rock that workout plan so hard it becomes my bitch. Other weeks I stray depending on my mood or how crowded the gym is. Then there are weeks where I have no desire to do anything except binge eat on cookie dough and pizza. Those are the same weeks I tend not to follow my meal plan either.
Overall my meal plan and workout lists serve a purpose. If I can see my goals for the week in front of me, I’m more likely to stick to them. I also have a theory that if others can see your goals and ask you about them, you’re more likely to stick to them. This is also to avoid the judgmental “don’t you have a leg workout and sprints today?” question from said audience or asshole roommate.
It’s certainly not a complex idea but it does work. Much of making workout and clean eating goals is will power. Much of will power comes from tricking yourself. You really can do anything you set out to accomplish. It’s your will power becoming exhausted that tells you it’s impossible. Using a list makes something seem so important it made it on a list. This will help you complete it, stick to it or make it a priority like it deserves to be.
Give it a try! If it doesn’t work just leave it on your fridge so when company comes over at least they’re convinced you’re moving your ass.