For that Franklin loved to make lists or to-do work

Lists spawned a culture. Wherever you look - everywhere lists. Umberto Eco

Recently we found out Layfhakere, why to-do-lists do not always work. Today, get acquainted with the system of using lists of Benjamin Franklin, as well as find out 4 secret, how to make to-do work.

Italian philosopher and novelist Umberto Eco loves lists. And that's why:

"Lists spawned a culture. They are part of the history of art and literature. That wants culture? Comprehend the incomprehensible... As humanity to do it? How to touch the infinite? Through the lists. "

In an interview with Eco I noticed that the lists are often wrongly perceived as vestiges of peculiar "primitive" peoples, rather than the modern cultural civilization. However, the lists do not die, they return to the everyday life of people again and again.

Whenever we want to express ourselves, we use lists. According to Eko, they help us to understand ourselves and the world around them. After all, we make lists of places where we dream to visit, defining their cultural interests; compile shopping lists, thereby releasing products that are love.

But most importantly, we are making to-do lists, placing priorities in life. So we put in order his chaotic life. And so to-do - a great way to become happier. After all, one of the components of happiness - is awareness.

Lists are the hallmarks of a highly cultured society because they allow to question the fundamental values.

Benjamin Franklin - the forefather to-do-planning

Because you're not sure even one minute, not to waste a single hour.

Franklin - not only the founding father of American democracy, but also one of the first followers of to-do-lists. He is an excellent example of how lists help in organizing themselves.

In 1726, during a 80-day voyage from London to Philadelphia, Franklin was written plan "13 virtues." He planned for the 13 weeks to develop the 13 positive qualities - the silence, diligence, cleanliness and others.

Since my intention was to make all these virtues usual, I decided not to dissipate my attention, trying to master all at once, but to concentrate it at the same time only one; it is mastered, proceed to the next and so on up to the thirteenth.

To do this, Franklin made a detailed to-do-list with the hard daily routine.

I fashioned a little book, which took over the page for each virtue. Every page I lined in red ink on seven columns, designating them the initials days of the week. And across these columns I spent thirteen red lines, located at the beginning of each first letter of one of the virtues, in order to the desired cell celebrate black dot all cases, when checking it turns out that in such and such a day, I sinned against such a virtue.

This listing is for a long time helped Franklin exercise self-discipline, and effectively plan their affairs.

I began to carry out its self-test plan and doing this for a long time, with a few breaks. I was surprised that the sins I have a lot more than I thought; but I have noted with satisfaction that they are becoming less. To save yourself the trouble start a new booklet to replace the old, that all holes, when I washed and scraped with the paper mark on old misdeeds, freeing up space for new markers, I moved my table and instructions on ivory plates lined durable red ink, and pencil marks made in black, and they are as needed easily erased with a wet sponge.

How to make to-do-list work

But, unfortunately, not all of us have a sense of purpose Benjamin Franklin. Make a list - it is easy. It is much harder to follow scheduled.

Before you 4 "secret" that will be effective to-do-lists:

1. Zeigarnik effect. So in psychology called the phenomenon discovered Blum Zeigarnik. The bottom line is that the beginning of any task creates stress in the memory, which does not pass as long as the job is done. Man instinctively constantly strives for self-actualization. This desire affects his memory and behavior. Hence our satisfaction from performed (de-listed) tasks. Thus, the "secret» №1 - always gets the job done. If this is not possible at the same time, the divide large tasks into smaller ones.
2. Ruthless prioritization. Once on one of the seminars on time management, a psychologist asked listeners to make a strategic plan for your life, using no more than 25 words. We coped with the task of a few. But when one of the "excellent student" asked how she did it, she replied: "I just wrote a list, and then need to arrange the items in order of priority - 1, 2, 3... and so on until the 25th." The second "secret" effective to-do-planning is the ability to prioritize and to sweep aside all the excess.
3. Foresight. Charles M. Schwab, formerly president of Bethlehem Steel, was very fond of order. Therefore I invited Ivy Lee (a well-known journalist, and at that time, and a specialist in the field of labor organization), that he has improved his business. One of the recommendations of Li - every evening make-do list of six items that need to be done for the next day. After a three-month Schwab sent Lee a check for $ 25,000 - his company has never been so effective. "Secret» № 3 - is advance planning. Keep a to-do-list long before you begin to act.
4. Realism. Franklin strictly adhered to its plan "13 virtues", until one day he found himself the idea that the pursuit of frugality ( "allow themselves to only those costs that will benefit others, or you himself; nothing Do not waste ') does not allow him to live the way you want. He spends a lot of time to cook, and could deal with important matters of state. Franklin was forced to adjust the item. Be realistic and you - adapt their tasks under the circumstances. This "secret» № 4.

And what are the "secrets" do you have? What helps you follow the to-do list?