Fastidious by nature, I’m one of those people who thrives on lists—especially checking items off.
Humor, laughter, and having fun is of equal significance to me. When it comes to getting things done, I want it to be as much fun as possible.
Instead of a “to do” list, I have a Ta-Dah! list. This tiny shift in perspective makes me feel like I can take on anything.
How do you accomplish the must-dos on your list?
Tuesdays with Laurie 
If I plan too far ahead and make a list, the whole plan seems to go awry, Laurie! I usually make plans the night before for the next day, or even plan what I’m going to do on the day. I seem to achieve so much more that way! Then I can look back on what I have achieved for the day and say, “Ta-Dah!” 🙂
Joanne — Some people excel under pressure. I think you must be one of them! 🙂
Wow!
What a lovely concept!
Tah dah list.
It really sounds like fun.
TeeCeeCounsel — I’m glad the idea resonates with you 🙂
The pleasure is mine. 😀
I put must dos that have time limits in my diary.
Everything else I take as it comes.
Most of what I get done comes down to sheer dogged determination. Too darned stupid to give in and accept what passes for wisdom.
Ted — I think that “sheer dogged determination” is a good thing 🙂
I love that! I don’t write lists, but can’t relax until all ‘chores’ in my mental list are completed. ‘Ta-dah’ sounds so much better than ‘to-do’! Simply brilliant! 👍❤
Fatima — I’m glad that “Ta-dah” rings a much better bell with you than “to do.” 🙂
It just sounds so much better! Celebrate what you have accomplished rather than worry about what you haven’t done yet: genius! 🍾🥂
Fatima — It does sound better. Right?! I’m glad this post resonated with you 🙂
Most of the time by literally beating myself up and mustering all the energy within!
I am just not a List person but with age comes the forgetfulness.A list is not a bad thing-I
shall certainly try your list
Roamer — Give it a go. I think you might like it 🙂
Ta-dah–I like that! I like getting all the small things out of the way first. Then I can devote my time and energy to the big task at hand. Kind of like little ta-dah’s leading up to the big one.
LoisaJay — Yes, indeed. We’re kindred spirits in “getting all of the small things out of the way first.” 🙂
Oh, that is fantastic. I’m not fastidious – not by a long stretch – but I do lists to try to keep track as much as possible for me. It has no become a Ta-dah! list.
Arlene — I’m so happy the idea of “Ta-dah!” resonates with you! 🙂
I used to put X’s in front of items on my to-do list. Recently, I’ve begun to use checkmarks, which look somewhat like bird wings and seem more positive for items accomplished. My iPhone even has a green emoticon for this.
Thanks to you, Laurie, I will rename my lists as Ta-Dah! 🙂
Marian — Ohhhh, I’m going to have to check out that emoticon. Thank you for the tip! 🙂
I love this! I have lists of lists and I’ll try it!
Jill — You go, girl! 🙂
Slowly, very slowly. Lists are a must these days – if there is something that really needs to be done in a timely manner, it goes on the list on the whiteboard which is mounted to my refrigerator – because, out of sight is very much out of mind these days.
Carol — I absolutely understand “Out of sight, out of mind.” For me, “If it’s not written down, it doesn’t get done.” 🙂
What a great attitude you bring to life, Laurie! Ta-Dah is exactly what I’m looking for. I’ve thought for a while that when I do repetitive tasks like laundry, I deserve a medal. Certainly a completed post deserves s Ta-Dah!
Rebecca — I’m so glad that little shift in perspective (from to-do to Ta-Da!) resonates with you! 🙂
I am the ultimate list maker. I even make lists of lists of lists. I hate to admit this, but if I do something that is not on the list, I add it on so I can stroke it off. My hubby thinks that is so funny.
Darlene — Oh. My. GOSH! I love that! 🤣
I am a list maker too and in my youth I used to just dive out of bed and get started so when I finished it I could read. For years and years, I got up at 5am to get my exercise or swim in before starting the day – now I do the dog walk early. I love the Ta-Dah! feeling when I am done I wish I could figure out how to do the list on my iphone with green checking bird wings! I have one big item on my list I can’t seem to accomplish in 2020. I need to redo my will and it is in my husband’s safety deposit box – He will not go into the Credit Union to get it for me – This is very frustrating I understand the health concerns but he could make an appointment. I believe this is an important part of being healthy and finding the Ta-Dah!
Patricia — I understand your frustration. Yes, it seems that he could make a private appointment at the bank, minimizing potential hazards down to almost zilch.
I remember your TaDah! List … love the shift!!
I have both a priorities master list and an accomplishment list! The later provides energy.
P.S. FYI … Your blog didn’t arrive in my mail box. I tracked it down.
Audrey — I love that you have an accomplishment list!
Hmm, I wonder why on earth the blog notification email didn’t make it to your mailbox? Once I schedule a post, It’s on “auto-pilot” with WordPress. Thank you so much for tracking it down. 🙂
Tah-Dah list. I love that! Now, every time I cross something off my list, I will say “Tah-Dah” and think of you. 🙂
Michelle — I’m so glad this post resonated with you! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Laurie, to be honest, I adopted your Ta-Dah strategy years ago, it works. If I can accept the challenge of doing something I really don’t care to, I get come out from the other side looking like a champ, if only to myself. Thanks!
Sandi — A champ, indeed! 🙂
I love the “ta-dah!” list idea. Turns it into a positive. I don’t do well with lists. I just know what needs doing and get around to it mostly on time. I suppose the list is in my head then.
Chris
Chris — My hat is off to you for being able to manage a mind list. If I tried that, I’d lose my mind! 😂
🙂
Ta-Dah! … I like that. 🙂
Widdershins — I’m glad it resonates with you! 🙂
I have been known to make my jobs into a kind of musical and sing my way though them or I do a list on one sheet of paper and possible solutions on the other in coloured pens with doodles to accompany them .
I sent you a message last week and you skipped me😢 was it something I said 🥴😊.
Cherryx
Cherry — Colored Pens & doodles? Ya gotta love it!
Nooooo, I didn’t skip you. I didn’t see you. And I still don’t see it.
I’m going to have to see if it slipped past the WordPress radar into the dreaded black hole. Yikes!
ta- dah!!! now that’s an original. something new i learned today. and i’ll certainly come back to learn more. Thanks, laurie!
Cbholganza — I’m glad this post resonated with you 🙂