This is a great idea.
Making a "stress list" can actually be seen as a first step to dealing with stress in your life.
I agree with this statement completely, prioritizing work and personal tasks can always help reduce stress.
Making a list is a great Idea however, I would need to make the list on my computer like putting it in "outlook" so that I don't loose the list. Having it in outlook will be the best way for me because it will pop up in my face every day.
Yes, a stress list is a great way to get all your stressors out of your mind and on paper David. Sometimes just having an inventory to review gives us the feeling of control. And feeling in control can give us the confidence to make positive changes.
I find that by making a stress list I am less apt to over react to that particular stress event and therfore better able to deal with it and it no longer stress's me to the point it did before and over time it nolonger is a stress point at all.
Yes, it's true that over time, some stress points do resolve themselves or become less of an issue. Inventorying them on a list - instead of reacting to them immediately - is a great way to hold off on making the situation worse.
That is a great idea. What would be nice is to be able to eliminate or reduce stress in realizing where it comes from and scratching off list.
I agree with your preference of using a computer to utilize lists. I always know where the list can be found. Also, they can be set up to view on any computer with an interwebz connection, not just my own personal computer. Also, computerized lists are easily modified. I understand some people prefer handwritten lists and I do see the benefits. However, for my purposes, computerized lists are the way to go.
I too especially like the modification aspect of computerized lists Adam. Love being able to update things quickly without having to rewrite.
This does indeed reduce stress. It's like it takes some of the load off your head and puts it in your pocket.
This might sound crazy, but after ages of trying to figure out how best to manage my lists, I came up with this: I have a "master" list, which is on my computer. This holds everything I can think of: work, personal, even a list of books and movies I hear about that I don't want to forget. I find it helpful to have one place that I can do a brain dump so I don't go crazy with worry. However, if I only use the master list, I get overwhelmed. So developed a "today" list, which is just written on a notepad that I can keep on my desk in front of me. Every day, I look at my master list and decide what will go on the "today" list. This way, I can calmly evaluate, prioritize, and decide what is realistic to do in a day. As I complete tasks on the "today" list, I scratch them off the pad. At the end of the day, I go to the master and delete them from there. It feels wonderful!
Thanks for sharing your system Beth. It doesn't sound crazy and in fact I have listened to many instructors who tell me they have the same system. Having both a centralized list as well as satellite lists can work well.
this is a nice idea if you stay on task.
I think this is a great idea! Having a Master List to help remember things is important when it is difficult to juggle so many different things at once! I think I will use this idea too! Thank you!
The textbook that I use for my freshman seminar course talks about making lists. It starts out with a master list and then breaks it down to monthly then weekly then daily. I find doing that helps me prioritize throughout the academic term.
Sounds like a great approach Laura. The concept of a master list can work well for instructors.
This is a great idea! Sometimes when we write down things that are causing stress, we can actually allow that stress to to be relieved just by writing them down! Love this concept! But I don't think it's too good once you put it in your pocket to pull it back out again!
I agree putting my lists on paper helps reduce my stress because I can see what needs to be done. If it is "all in my head", it is harder to visualize what needs to be done when.
I aam going to make a to do list because it may help to get things done faster I try to finish tasks in a timley order already and have very little stress which I owe to good work habbits I have a good understanding of what needs to be done now and which items Ican wait for a while
The notion of just taking the time to put these "stress factors" down on paper seems to have a number of benefits. Aside from organization of these factors and how each effects you, being able to focus and open yourself to these items is almost a relief in itself. You may even find or think of some items that are effecting you that you may have never even thought about before.
Great point Rachelle and I completely agree. When we get these stressors on paper, we get them out of our mind. It's a wonderful feeling just to know we can focus on other things, knowing our tasks are well documented for us.
