Things To Do

Burns and I are famous for making to do lists. Busy lives and busy minds require some kind of organisation and we make streams of 'things to do' lists. They are generally extremely useful and help us remember things which could quite easily slip the net...occasionally they do. When you have 'write a to do list' on your 'to do' list, you know you're in trouble.

I have three to do lists on the go, and I usually write them twice a week. One is for my company Onside Analysis. One is for my website www.jumpinsport.com. One is for personal stuff. There are items that sit on all three that have been on for far too long that need zapping - and I will use this blog as motivation to zap one on each tonight.

The first two lists are pretty self explanatory and comprise of all the things I need to do for work. The third is completely random. It may include booking flights, it may include ordering something online, it may include reviewing my personal hygiene. Possibly the funniest moment involving my to do lists came in a senior management meeting a few years back when the owner of the company enquired as to whether I had cut my nails yet. He had caught a glimpse of my personal to do list. There is simply no blagging that one to be honest.

The main purpose behind the to do list is to ensure that I remember to do everything I need to do and on time. It came from seeing my mum constantly making shopping lists for what food we needed, as well as lists for what needed to be cleaned. My dad makes them frequently though I can't quite worked out the horse's name or which race meeting it is in.

Aside from the general reminder purpose, I would say that possibly the most important element of the list is being able to put a single line through each item. You would never think such a little bit of ink would make somebody so happy. The sense of achievement comes from acknowledging a job done and that is an important part for me.

Writing a blog should never form part of a to do list however in my view. Yet after not writing one for a while, it did last week. It should come when it comes, a bit like my mum's Yorkshire Puddings....you have to mix the pudding thoroughly, pour into the tray, leaving the oven door closed, and patiently wait for them to rise majestically before serving up. The alternative is a flat flavourless pudding with no real substance. You can't force, rush or plan something like a Yorkshire Pud or a blog and although your head or to do list may be telling you it is time to write a blog or make some Yorkshires, they'll come to you when you wait patiently and deserve them. You deserve a blog today. I deserve some Yorkshires next week.