I got asked the other day how I allocate my tasks and manage my time. I was wrong-footed for a second, not wanting to say the obvious, simple, true answer, so I mumbled something about how I am used to using CRMs, followed by some less intelligible noise, before I realised it was better to answer the question and look like a simpleton than not answer the question at all.

I told them I make lists. I make notes. I make sure to review them on a regular basis. I get things out of my head and onto paper. I gestured to the notebook in front of me to make the point.

I should probably tell you not to come to me for productivity advice.

But, there are a couple of things I do when I make lists that I think are useful or interesting elements of practice that I’ve developed over the past few years of doing it, and I wanted to share them.

First of all, I think it’s best to just do a bullet list, and then cross stuff off. I experimented for a while with borrowing some symbols from bullet journal methods, where you turn the . into a x to denote a finished task, turn the . into a > to denote a task migrated from last week, that kinda thing, but I noticed it was depriving me of the feeling you get when you strike something off your list, lining it through, so I went back to doing that.

Yes, it makes reviewing tasks you’ve completed slightly harder at a glance, but does it matter?

The second thing is something I learned from Homer Simpson. Always make the first entry on your list, “Make a list.” That way, once you get to the bottom, you can go straight back to the top and cross it off. Your productivity is no measure of your worth, but all the same, it is a good feeling to immediately have accomplished something.

Thirdly, try to break tasks down. Sometimes I get an email with a few different asks in it, can’t immediately get to it, and then end up sticking it on my to-do as “Get back to X.” I don’t know why I do this to myself. It isn’t helpful. My eyes start to glaze over it and I end up favouring the smaller, easier tasks. Fix this by making the big task smaller and easier. You don’t have to go crazy making it granular; separating the email into the separate asks is often enough.

Lastly, include a fun, or more philosophical, entry. It’s good to have a reminder not to take yourself, or the work, too seriously, and to get some perspective. Here are some examples:

Remember that you are just energy condensed to a slow vibrationEat lunch. [Listing this can help stop you working through your lunch. Eat away from your desk!]Remember that it is not your duty to finish the work, but nor are you at liberty to neglect itLook outside. Are there birds?Go for a walk

If you’ve been stuck into a task for an hour or two and finish it thinking, “God, what next?” and glance at your list, seeing one of these can remind you to prioritise your own wellbeing, or take you out of yourself for a moment. I’m generally grateful that my past self at least spared a few thoughts for how my future self’s day would be going.

Go forth and make lists!