Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night

Geoff Carter · 08-11-2009, 06:22 PM

May I suggest why it's so important to write a 'To do' list
before we go to bed, rather than write it in the morning?

When we write it before we sleep, the subconscious mind
sets to work on the tasks ahead whilst we're asleep and
therefore with nothing consciously going on in our mind
it has maybe 6-8 hours to plan how best it sees the tasks
should be done before we start them.

If we wait until morning, we just do them, but without the
benefit of the prior thinking of our mind.

Now, if you want to do something during your day that
will help make you feel really good... write a "Did" list!

Paul Lear · 08-11-2009, 07:19 PM

I've been doing this for the past month or so, it's amazing how powerful such a small action like that is. I even allot a certain amount of time for each task, and work to a countdown timer. It really works, I'm so productive these days I'm like a different person.

I also about to go even further and plan my next 90 days soon, I've only been planning each week so far. Time to move on to planning months in advance now.

Paul.

xealinc · 08-11-2009, 08:17 PM

Sometimes I will slack and not write a to-do list. It is usually during those times that things go haywire and I get stressed out.

A to-do list should have up to 30 items on it... then I put the 5 quickest things to accomplish things on top, the 5 most important things to do just under it, and try to make it a point to accomplish at least the first 10 of the 30 before going to sleep.

Oh, and I'm going to add something... for some reason why I try to put this list on my iphone... i never look at it again. For some reason a notebook, always left face open next to me while working is the best solution.

xealinc · 08-11-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff Carter

May I suggest why it's so important to write a 'To do' list
before we go to bed, rather than write it in the morning?

My morning to-do lists are usually things like...

A: Take the day off.
B: Nod off looking at the ceiling.
C: Lunch is at 10:30am today.... and 2.

Honestly if I don't write a list at night for the following day... I may as well not have one at all.

NetworxNZ · 08-11-2009, 09:50 PM

Theres some great advice here, And I see saif above touches on a point that is often overlooked in the area of goal setting and time management.... thats is we are most productive and enjoy the greatest sense of fulfillmeent when we are activley engaged in what we determine is our highest and best use of our time.

This can only occur when you have lined up what you personal values and beliefs are in terms of what it is you REALLY want to be doing.... not having this is a major cause of procratstation, frustrtaion or even worse, a lack of fulfillment and happieness because even though you are "getting stuff done" - its not actually what you want to be doing....

My business has spent the last 20 years studying this stuff and teaching how to get people to line up their belief systems with their tasks and goals.

Not here to be self promoting but if anyone is interested there is a free copy of a goal getting template that helps people to achieve this on the mindset link below... go to that link and then go back to the root directory - not the sales page - that's as transparent and as fair as I can be... :-)

Shaun Lee · 08-11-2009, 10:33 PM

It sounds simple, but I wonder why I feel affected by this!

I'm going to try it tonight!

marketingstatic · 08-11-2009, 10:41 PM

That's a really better idea for a better tomorrow because it's already kinda settle on what you want to do at that day. Very cool and you should have a good memory for that....

TimF · 08-11-2009, 10:44 PM

I agree that a list is extremely important. I always try to place my most pressing items at the top just in case I am unable to complete it.

SelenaB · 08-12-2009, 12:01 AM

Well, I guess for me, "to do" lists are good, but sometimes what I assume my day will be meant for, doesn't always turn out the way I plan it. Especially in my line of work where multitasking is necessary. I am a night-owl though, so I do make up for lost time while everyone is sleeping. I make sure to remind myself to do all I can for today and if ordered, I will see another one to continue on.

mavischan · 08-12-2009, 10:44 AM

yes..i m doing so too..but normally i will write it in my handphone because i will always bring along my handphone,so i can always check my to do list.

jokabi · 08-12-2009, 01:50 PM

Just last night I couldn't sleep because I had too much on my BRAIN! So I got up and went into my office and wrote down a bunch of stuff that I wanted to remember to do today! Then I could go back to sleep! From now on I'm going to make a list before I go to bed!

chtfld · 08-12-2009, 10:08 PM

I'm a huge list fan. When I started working online, I was a mess - working 10 hours a day to get 5 hours of work done. Enter my handy to-do list and I'm at least relatively efficient (most of the time). In fact, I probably spend too much time throughout the day tweaking and adjusting my lists - sometimes I'll have tasks set up for days or weeks ahead of time. Helps me focus on what I have to do today because I have less to worry about later.

juggernautbitch · 08-12-2009, 11:09 PM

I should write more to do lists. One of my biggest problems is having 10000 concurrent ideas and never getting around to implementing them. Clear lists of thing sto do and the order of their importance can be a great help and something everyone involved in intenet marketing should do.

Paul Lear · 08-12-2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xealinc

Oh, and I'm going to add something... for some reason why I try to put this list on my iphone... i never look at it again. For some reason a notebook, always left face open next to me while working is the best solution.

Yes I know what you mean, it's no good putting it in a file on your desktop, or in your phone. It needs to be there in front of you on paper, so that every time you look down it's there reminding you what to do next.

It's great feeling seeing all the things you've achieved, with ticks next to them at the end of the day.

Paul.

Paul Lear · 08-12-2009, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juggernautbitch

I should write more to do lists. One of my biggest problems is having 10000 concurrent ideas and never getting around to implementing them. Clear lists of thing sto do and the order of their importance can be a great help and something everyone involved in intenet marketing should do.

You want to get all those ideas out of your mind and into a mindmap, try searching google for this free software called Freemind.

It works great, and it helps you to work better on individual tasks, as you don't have all those ideas going round in your head anymore.

Paul.

masonpan · 08-14-2009, 06:19 AM

I agree totally about making a to do list. I usually do mine either last thing in the afternoon before I leave my desk or first thing in the morning before I start the day. It doesn’t always work, I still often get to the end of the day without completing every thing but at least it’s a track to run on. I also tie a knot in the sock I am going to use the following day last thing at night to remind me of very important things. The only problem with that is remembering the reason you tied the know after a nights sleep. A to do list though is a must.

currypuff · 08-14-2009, 06:26 AM

I was just reminded of this to help focus on just one project at a time. I do a variation of this as I write my list at the beginning of the day.

I also rank the to do list by the value of each item to my business ie. which will contribute to my business the most.

Never have more than 7 items on the list as this detracts and puts you off doing any of them as it seems too daunting.

I also use Remember The Milk with gmail to record longer term tasks. You can set deadlines and for it to remind you via Twitter.

All very helpful. Reminder to self - one project at a time and less surfing on forums.

May

08-11-2009, 06:22 PM	#51
Geoff Carter Active Warrior Join Date: May 2006 Location: , , . Posts: 76 Thanks: 29 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night May I suggest why it's so important to write a 'To do' list before we go to bed, rather than write it in the morning? When we write it before we sleep, the subconscious mind sets to work on the tasks ahead whilst we're asleep and therefore with nothing consciously going on in our mind it has maybe 6-8 hours to plan how best it sees the tasks should be done before we start them. If we wait until morning, we just do them, but without the benefit of the prior thinking of our mind. Now, if you want to do something during your day that will help make you feel really good... write a "Did" list!
	Geoff Carter Business Success Consultant Go to: http://www.BusinessSuccessConsultant.com Success Not Stress

08-11-2009, 07:19 PM	#52
Paul Lear Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 54 Thanks: 14 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts Social Networking	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night I've been doing this for the past month or so, it's amazing how powerful such a small action like that is. I even allot a certain amount of time for each task, and work to a countdown timer. It really works, I'm so productive these days I'm like a different person. I also about to go even further and plan my next 90 days soon, I've only been planning each week so far. Time to move on to planning months in advance now. Paul.
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08-11-2009, 08:17 PM	#53
xealinc Warrior Extraordinaire Join Date: May 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK, USA. Posts: 32 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night Sometimes I will slack and not write a to-do list. It is usually during those times that things go haywire and I get stressed out. A to-do list should have up to 30 items on it... then I put the 5 quickest things to accomplish things on top, the 5 most important things to do just under it, and try to make it a point to accomplish at least the first 10 of the 30 before going to sleep. Oh, and I'm going to add something... for some reason why I try to put this list on my iphone... i never look at it again. For some reason a notebook, always left face open next to me while working is the best solution.
	Tony Darrick Baker http://www.tonydbaker.com Free Ebook to give away. http://recessionmarketingguide.com Last edited by xealinc; 08-11-2009 at 08:18 PM. Reason: added a thought.

08-11-2009, 09:50 PM	#55
NetworxNZ Helping People Connect War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: , , New Zealand. Posts: 90 Thanks: 4 Thanked 15 Times in 10 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night Theres some great advice here, And I see saif above touches on a point that is often overlooked in the area of goal setting and time management.... thats is we are most productive and enjoy the greatest sense of fulfillmeent when we are activley engaged in what we determine is our highest and best use of our time. This can only occur when you have lined up what you personal values and beliefs are in terms of what it is you REALLY want to be doing.... not having this is a major cause of procratstation, frustrtaion or even worse, a lack of fulfillment and happieness because even though you are "getting stuff done" - its not actually what you want to be doing.... My business has spent the last 20 years studying this stuff and teaching how to get people to line up their belief systems with their tasks and goals. Not here to be self promoting but if anyone is interested there is a free copy of a goal getting template that helps people to achieve this on the mindset link below... go to that link and then go back to the root directory - not the sales page - that's as transparent and as fair as I can be... :-)
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08-11-2009, 10:33 PM	#56
Shaun Lee Warrior of the Warriors War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Malaysia Posts: 794 Thanks: 68 Thanked 103 Times in 47 Posts	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night It sounds simple, but I wonder why I feel affected by this! I'm going to try it tonight!

08-11-2009, 10:41 PM	#57
marketingstatic HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Council BLuffs Iowa Posts: 240 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 67 Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night That's a really better idea for a better tomorrow because it's already kinda settle on what you want to do at that day. Very cool and you should have a good memory for that....

08-11-2009, 10:44 PM	#58
TimF Warrior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: , , USA. Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night I agree that a list is extremely important. I always try to place my most pressing items at the top just in case I am unable to complete it.
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08-12-2009, 12:01 AM	#59
SelenaB HelpingThruBizTV Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night Well, I guess for me, "to do" lists are good, but sometimes what I assume my day will be meant for, doesn't always turn out the way I plan it. Especially in my line of work where multitasking is necessary. I am a night-owl though, so I do make up for lost time while everyone is sleeping. I make sure to remind myself to do all I can for today and if ordered, I will see another one to continue on.
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08-12-2009, 10:44 AM	#60
mavischan Active Warrior Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 51 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night yes..i m doing so too..but normally i will write it in my handphone because i will always bring along my handphone,so i can always check my to do list.
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08-12-2009, 01:50 PM	#61
jokabi Mobile Warrior Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oregon Coast mostly! Posts: 159 Thanks: 91 Thanked 25 Times in 24 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night Just last night I couldn't sleep because I had too much on my BRAIN! So I got up and went into my office and wrote down a bunch of stuff that I wanted to remember to do today! Then I could go back to sleep! From now on I'm going to make a list *before* I go to bed!
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08-12-2009, 10:08 PM	#62
chtfld Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 76 Thanks: 19 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night I'm a huge list fan. When I started working online, I was a mess - working 10 hours a day to get 5 hours of work done. Enter my handy to-do list and I'm at least relatively efficient (most of the time). In fact, I probably spend too much time throughout the day tweaking and adjusting my lists - sometimes I'll have tasks set up for days or weeks ahead of time. Helps me focus on what I have to do today because I have less to worry about later.

08-12-2009, 11:09 PM	#63
juggernautbitch Active Warrior Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 59 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night I should write more to do lists. One of my biggest problems is having 10000 concurrent ideas and never getting around to implementing them. Clear lists of thing sto do and the order of their importance can be a great help and something everyone involved in intenet marketing should do.

08-14-2009, 06:19 AM	#66
masonpan Terry Mason Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cardiff South Wales UK Posts: 31 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night I agree totally about making a to do list. I usually do mine either last thing in the afternoon before I leave my desk or first thing in the morning before I start the day. It doesn’t always work, I still often get to the end of the day without completing every thing but at least it’s a track to run on. I also tie a knot in the sock I am going to use the following day last thing at night to remind me of very important things. The only problem with that is remembering the reason you tied the know after a nights sleep. A to do list though is a must.

08-14-2009, 06:26 AM	#67
currypuff Active Warrior Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 49 Thanks: 19 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Writing a 'to do' list before bed each night I was just reminded of this to help focus on just one project at a time. I do a variation of this as I write my list at the beginning of the day. I also rank the to do list by the value of each item to my business ie. which will contribute to my business the most. Never have more than 7 items on the list as this detracts and puts you off doing any of them as it seems too daunting. I also use Remember The Milk with gmail to record longer term tasks. You can set deadlines and for it to remind you via Twitter. All very helpful. Reminder to self - one project at a time and less surfing on forums. May