My husband on the other hand actively avoids anything that looks remotely like a list and hence constantly forgets to do all sorts of stuff which annoys all those concerned except of course him!
As a list maker you probably have a poor short term memory, or are a control freak. I am without a doubt both. This probably annoys everyone else but I couldn’t care less.
So it would seem both types are at least happy with their own situation.
The trouble with being a list maker is that it’s difficult to work happily with those that aren’t. I am constantly worried that others fail to do the urgent things I ask of them as they have not written it down (unbelievable I know)!
As a remedy I make a list for them (not to give them god forbid I am that crackers) for me to keep, so I don’t forget to remind them in case they do forget.
The great things about lists is they are rewarding in so many ways.
The classic one of ticking off tasks when done is right up there, but don’t forget that they allow you to prioritise, help stop you missing deadlines, and help you manage your money better ( I guarantee you a shopping list if stuck to at the supermarket will reduce your monthly food bill ).
It also stops you forgetting important documents for appointments and will ensure you don’t forget to pack your shoes for an overnight black tie affair, where it could be too late to buy new ones. When this happened to my husband, it meant dinner jacket and sandals. (Nice, NOT!) They also help me get through more work than my contemporary non list makers.
So obsessional am I that when my car was once broken, the first thing I worried about about was where my to do list was, which I thought I had left in the car.
You can laugh all you want but I won’t change, I don’t want to, I love my lists. They work for me.
Jo Haigh is head of FDS corporate finance services and the author of ‘The Keys to the Boardroom – How to Get There and How to Stay There’.
