to think I'm being driven mad by my own lists

[TeaNotCoffeePlease]

I write lists: to do lists; shopping lists; 'what I must do today' lists. Everything goes on these lists from the vital to the mundane. I subdivide the lists (telephone calls; children etc) and put them on paper and laptop but still the lists continue to grow and I think I now spend more time sorting the lists than doing the tasks.

The main list - with propbably 100 tasks on is on my laptop - then I'll take say 15 things off it each day and write them on paper - always sure I'll get theese things done each day, but they never all get done. Then the next day I'll put the things that were'nt done back on the main list.

I've tried colour coding; highlighting;not using a paper list etc but realise my list, though working as a base to keep all this stuff together so i don't forget anything, its not working to help me get things done efficiently.

I do just do things - I don't have to see it on a list to do it

I use Wunderlist on iPhone. It has made my list management much more effective.

I have a groceries list, a things to buy list, then to do list. I add deadline date on things that do have one so that I can sort it and they are then prioritised. Things without a deadline are then at the bottom and I only see them once I've completed urgent tasks. If they become urgent, I add a deadline and they get pushed up the list.

You can also add reminders onto tasks so they pop up on your phone.

Yes I do have things like "call the bank" because that's the kind of thing I prefer to do when the children have gone to bed but I need to remember.

When we were going on a holiday I set up a packing list too.

I can also share lists with my husband and delegate tasks to him too (not so successful!) but at least I can get the task out of my head and it's then passed onto him to do.

It's been really good for my sanity.

I use an app called Any Do for my main to do list, which has dates - so I can put a date against things and it reminds me each morning what I need to do. I try to keep this at 20 - 30 things.

I also have a general, handwritten house list for DH & I to refer to together and this tends to go month to month - about 5 things that need doing around the house that we need to try and keep an eye on at weekends.

Grocery shopping is a separate handwritten list so I have it handy in my bag and anyone can easily get it out and add to it but it will be there when I decide it is shopping day!

I also have a pile of paperwork that I check regularly - and have a day in the week which I clear (which is bills, insurance renewals, credit card statement, school letters) - they then don't need to go on my to do list.

I also use my email inbox as a to do list - antyhing that needs doing gets left in my inbox. If I think ti's getting out of hand I put things onto the AnyDo list.

With contacting friends by phone, email etc I tend to keep that in my head but if I realise I have not been in touch with someone for ages or there is a specific reason to contact I put it on the anyDo list.

To avoid adding things to to the lists I have a general weekly plan of what I do each day - i.e. a general kids activities and meal plan on the fridge (wipe clean board) and a mental list of Monday clean, Tuesday admin, etc plus daily tasks of laundry, check bins, etc.

Going to a GP because of a fetish for lists has got to be the most mumsnetty response ever.

I'm glad it's not just me and there are even listier types out there

I have thought about lists A LOT and my general conclusion is that you need to simplify simplify simplify... No to subdividing and copying out etc!

I am constantly updating my systems but at the moment this is what works for me:

Housework - I have a rolling list I.e. A static list pinned on the fridge of all the tasks I aim to do in a week - I tick as I go but there are lots of columns for ticks so once I get to the bottom of a column just start again at the top. Do a job whenever I get a chance, rather than having set days which is to hard. Weekly online shopping is one of the chores, and I have a checklist to run round the cupboards with to make it easier to work out what I need.

Washing - I used to add this to lists, and then had a different loads for different days system, but now just do it as soon as I see it, and keep much more on top of it

Birthdays - reminders written on calendars and in iPad so I just manage to get this done, does not go on a daily list.

Phone calls/communication - phone/email/text as soon as you realise the need to make a phone call. If it absolutely can't be done put a phone reminder in for next time you should have free time and do it then

Post - deal with anything tht needs actioning immediately if possible. If not, put pile in a prominent place, and aim to work down to nothing by the end of each day.

Everything else - I think to myself in the morning 'what ONE thing do I most need to do today?' And concentrate on getting that done. Once that is out the way, I think of the next thing. So I don't actually write down any generic To Do lists at all anymore. And I think I probably if anything get more done, or at least the same as when I constantly made many varied and complex lists, tables, charts and matrices...

This all seems insane. What can you all possibly have to do that requires so many lists?! I have one for shopping and the rest of life just sort of ticks along. I don't need to write it down because it just sort of happens.

Another list maker here, I have mine split between regular chores, work (self employed), home educating (have stuff to prep, plus have 3 regular groups I organise and usually organise at least one group trip, plus admin 3 support lists), Guides (run a guide unit), and bigger jobs (decorating, booking holidays etc). I love being busy and firmly subscribe to the mantra if you want a job done ask a busy person.
But that is a lot of different balls in the air and a lot of things to keep in your head. The only way all that is possible is by lists. I find paper lists depressing though, I never seem to achieve what I put down. As someone else said lists are great if they are not a source of stress.

I use todolist, an online program. I can write down jobs when I remember and then allocate them to dates when I see fit.

The online progam looks simple to use its

Completely agree about asking a busy person if you want a job done. I too have many balls to juggle, less than i used to though, and for me list are essential.

I am feeling less mad thanks to the solidarity of fellow list makers

?I must have a very simple life, I just sort of do things as and when they need to be done.
Appointments I enter in my phone straight away so I don't forget them, any other things that I'm likely to forget I put them in my phone.

I keep spreadsheets to log various aspects of my life but mostly because I enjoy it and I like to make graphs so I can track my progress on things like running speed and distance?