Business Card List-Making System

Laura’s Revolutionary Biz Card List-Making System

Posted Wednesday, June 10, 2009 · Comments View Comments

I am a list maker. I jot lists on yellow legal pads, on my computer, and on scraps of paper. I even make lists of lists.

About once a month, I get overwhelmed with all my lists and do a marathon weeding session. During a recent clutter-busting session, I had a flash of inspiration:

I have about 1,000 outdated business cards that I can’t bear to throw away. They’re blank on one side. Why not make lists out of them?

Stop laughing! I’m not brainstorming MORE ways to make lists; I’m trying to consolidate all my lists into one manageable list. The bane of my list-making obsession is that I can see too many “to do” items when I glance at my lists. And that’s depressing, because one list is eight typed, single-spaced pages long!

I know I’ll never accomplish all 1,000-plus tasks on my list. But every time I glance at that list, I get distracted because I think, I should be doing item number 102, and I’m only on number 2!

The Biz Card System

I needed a freeing system that would help me prioritize and complete my “must-do” items.

So… on the back of each business card I wrote one “to-do.” For example, the card I’m looking at says, “Edit onesheet copy & send to graphic designer.”

Simple. Doable.

As I finish each task, I (gleefully) toss the card in the recycling bin. It’s gone forever. Out of sight; out of mind.

Shuffling the Deck

I’ve been using my new system for several months now, and it’s working like a charm. When I first made my cards, I color-coded them to indicate high priority, medium priority, and low priority. But I abandoned the color coding after a couple of days.

Instead, I shuffle through the stack of cards each morning and select three or four tasks that I vow to accomplish that day. I put the most important card on top of the stack. Then I systematically work my way through the deck.

I keep the cards that list tasks for the upcoming days and weeks out of sight so they don’t distract me. And I keep a few blank cards in strategic places around my home so when a new “to-do” item pops into my head, I can jot it down. Into the stack it goes!

I know I’m not the only person who struggles to organize her “to-do” list. What works for you?

Categories : Business Cards

http://www.skstewart.com/ Susan K. Stewart

Laura, What a terrific idea! I’m a list addict as well. I’ve used old business cards and old name badges to jot notes or outlines for books. So, why didn’t I think about putting my list on them?

Let me see, do I have 8,592 old business cards?
http://www.skstewart.com Susan K. Stewart

Laura, What a terrific idea! I’m a list addict as well. I’ve used old business cards and old name badges to jot notes or outlines for books. So, why didn’t I think about putting my list on them?

Let me see, do I have 8,592 old business cards?
http://www.tandemstudios.net/ Hilary

This idea is right on!! I feel the need to corral all the punch list items floating around in my head, so I make a list (or several lists.) But then the list overwhelms me, and I freeze. Or I can’t get past the point where I am supposed to organize the list points by priority (they almost all look like “A” items to me.)
Your idea creates a system where I will feel comfortable that all list items have been recorded, but I don’t have to look at them all at once.
I really like this. I knew it was time to design a new business card!
Hilary
http://www.tandemstudios.net Hilary

This idea is right on!! I feel the need to corral all the punch list items floating around in my head, so I make a list (or several lists.) But then the list overwhelms me, and I freeze. Or I can’t get past the point where I am supposed to organize the list points by priority (they almost all look like “A” items to me.)
Your idea creates a system where I will feel comfortable that all list items have been recorded, but I don’t have to look at them all at once.
I really like this. I knew it was time to design a new business card!
Hilary
http://www.genialhearth.com/2008/10/30/list-making/ The Genial Hearth » List making

[...] thought this was a good idea for approaching to-do [...]
http://www.aholyexperience.com/ Ann Voskamp

I really like this idea! Good stuff!
http://www.aholyexperience.com Ann Voskamp

I really like this idea! Good stuff!
http://www.bloggingbistro.com/ Laura

Twitter: bloggingbistro
To all you folks who are saying, “Good idea” — give it a try and let me know how it works for you.

Laura
http://www.bloggingbistro.com Laura

Twitter: bloggingbistro
To all you folks who are saying, “Good idea” — give it a try and let me know how it works for you.

Laura
anna

I’ve been using a similar technique for my ‘daily’ tasks. I have two sets of cards – one has tasks that should be done most days, and one set has the rooms of the house. On days that I’m home, I deal out a set from the first set as things to get done (usually 9 cards – most are 5-15 minute tasks), and one from the second set as a room to get special attention. I try and get at least half of the tasks done before allowing myself to get sidetracked.

I was going to do something similar to what you have done with my to-do list, except I was thinking of using scraps of paper and a round glass bowl!
anna

I’ve been using a similar technique for my ‘daily’ tasks. I have two sets of cards – one has tasks that should be done most days, and one set has the rooms of the house. On days that I’m home, I deal out a set from the first set as things to get done (usually 9 cards – most are 5-15 minute tasks), and one from the second set as a room to get special attention. I try and get at least half of the tasks done before allowing myself to get sidetracked.

I was going to do something similar to what you have done with my to-do list, except I was thinking of using scraps of paper and a round glass bowl!
http://www.bloggingbistro.com/ Laura Christianson

Twitter: bloggingbistro
Anna,

I love that you’ve found a way to make getting chores around the house done a bit more fun. It’s such a good feeling to toss those cards because it concretely signifies the completion of the task.

The round glass bowl sounds like a creative way to store your cards. You could even reach in and randomly grab a “to do” card from time to time!
http://www.bloggingbistro.com Laura Christianson

Twitter: bloggingbistro
Anna,

I love that you’ve found a way to make getting chores around the house done a bit more fun. It’s such a good feeling to toss those cards because it concretely signifies the completion of the task.

The round glass bowl sounds like a creative way to store your cards. You could even reach in and randomly grab a “to do” card from time to time!
http://www.usa-basketball-shoes.com use basketball shoes

Here elaborates the matter not only extensively but also detailly .I support the
write's unique point.It is useful and benefit to your daily life.You can go those
sits to know more relate things.They are nostalgic-pushead.com strongly recommended by friends.Personally