A beautiful, sensitive young woman, a crisp winter's day, light streaming in to bless her brow. There are beads of sweat on that brow. Her fingers clench a pen. She is wrapt in concentration, face intent: as in Yeats's words, "Like a long-legged fly upon the stream/Her mind moves upon silence". A last heavy sigh she puts down the pen, sits back. Then she makes a cup of tea and retires to bed, exhausted, her day's work done.
A beautiful, sensitive young woman, a crisp winter's day, light streaming in to bless her brow. There are beads of sweat on that brow. Her fingers clench a pen. She is wrapt in concentration, face intent: as in Yeats's words, "Like a long-legged fly upon the stream/Her mind moves upon silence". A last heavy sigh she puts down the pen, sits back. Then she makes a cup of tea and retires to bed, exhausted, her day's work done.
She has just made a to-do list. When do we start making these lists? I have some from my childhood: read Jill's Gymkhana, hide secret treasure, buy a photocopier, murder my sister. An eight-year-old these days probably writes: trumpet practice, Korean lessons, homework homework homework, murder my sister (Tuesday). Later in life, things become more ambitious. A corporate executive: oversee takeover, sort out superannuation, check fuel for private jet. A harried parent: innumerable and unlistable items repeat. A uni student: gallery opening, haircut, haircut, game of soccer, oh yeah, get three part-time jobs and do homework. Or a politician: morning briefing, bung up policy, practise internecine hatred, polish fangs.
You can buy special notebooks in which to write to-do lists, divided into categories: work, home, social. The insurance company gives away notepads headed TO DO.
There are several million apps and software programs to help you make to-do lists and remember tasks and alert you to duties and prioritise them and sort them and set off alarms with bells and whistles and what with the bustle and brimfulness of modern life it's fundamental that everyone in the world perpetually maintains a to-do list because otherwise it all overwhelms you, things won't get done, apocalypse impends and you'll never remember all the things you must do and the first of those is, usually, to make a to-do list.
You can divide them into long- and short-term 15-minute and one-hour items (do laundry, troll newspaper articles) one-off tasks (change superannuation password, organise coup) and ongoing drudge (try to be more tidy, sort out finances, address global poverty). They can be as minor (pluck eyebrows) or as gigantic (world domination) as you like. But once you start, there is no end.
Duty calls for everything from housekeeping to existence itself. Is there any app capable of entailing all the things one must do in life?
I myself make multiple lists on large pieces of paper. I write them clearly in my best handwriting. They go over the page. The next page. The next. How efficient I am! And then, worn out from my great efforts, it seems that the actual tasks are practically done, they're identified and planned: what more could be asked? And I dump files on top of the list and forget about it totally.
Sometimes I even put down things that shouldn't be a chore, such as catching up with friends. "Ring X, email Y, movie with Z?"
Once I never had to think about this: friends were the thing that made me forget my to-do lists and go play pool all afternoon instead.
Playing with children, jokes, sleeping. If you list these, you're in trouble.
I like to give myself credit for what has already been achieved. Why do we not count the accomplishments of yesterday, or even yesteryear? In fact, most of life is constituted of things that we never catalogue: making our friends laugh, eating a good dinner, admiring a winter sunset or pondering the plot for the fabulous novel we'll write when we get a chance. On what list might we put these occupations, these moments of humanness instead of activity?
The least I can do is make a list that credits the continuity of life: so each begins with several items already done, some practical, some fey, and a firm line crossed through, so I know I have begun. It's not cheating. It's encouragement.
What if you never made lists? Never fretted about priorities? Would the world actually go up in flames? I don't dare try.
It's a privilege to make a to-do list, it means you have an existence beyond: survive. Yet the lists seem never-ending. And, after all, the day you cross off the final item, the great ledger of your life will close.
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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
How can everyday investors use to-do lists to manage financial tasks like superannuation?
The article suggests treating financial tasks the same as other to-dos: divide them into categories (for example ‘work’, ‘home’, ‘superannuation’), break items into short (15-minute) and longer (one-hour) tasks, and separate one-off actions (change superannuation password) from ongoing chores (review investments). That structure helps investors prioritise and tackle specific finance-related items without getting lost in an endless list.
Do productivity apps help investors avoid losing track of important financial duties?
The piece notes there are millions of apps and software programs designed to make to-do lists, set alarms, prioritise tasks and alert you to duties — so apps can be useful for remembering and scheduling finance tasks. However, the article also cautions that no single app can encompass every life duty, so apps work best when combined with sensible prioritisation and regular follow-through.
How can I avoid feeling overwhelmed by a never-ending investment to-do list?
According to the article, cope by simplifying and organising lists: divide tasks into long- and short-term items, and into one-off versus ongoing chores. Give yourself encouragement by starting each list with a few items already marked done (crediting past achievements). That reduces overwhelm and makes it easier to begin rather than stall.
Should I put social and non-financial activities on my productivity list as an investor?
The article describes people sometimes listing catch-ups with friends or play, but warns listing every pleasurable activity can feel like turning life into chores. Instead, it recommends recognising and counting moments of humanness (friendship, good dinners, rest) as accomplishments — whether or not you put them formally on a list — to preserve balance while managing finances.
Can writing long, detailed to-do lists create a false sense of progress for my investments?
Yes. The article points out that writing extensive lists can make you feel efficient even if tasks remain undone — you might overplan, then dump files on the list and forget items. To avoid that, keep lists actionable, prioritise the most important financial steps, and regularly cross off completed items to reinforce real progress.
How should I prioritise urgent one-off financial tasks versus ongoing investment chores?
The article recommends categorising tasks: label one-off items (for example, ‘change superannuation password’ or ‘organise paperwork’) separately from ongoing drudgery (like ‘review portfolio’ or ‘tidy finances’). Use time-based labels (15-minute versus one-hour tasks) to slot urgent actions into your day and reserve recurring chores for scheduled review periods.
What small habits can everyday investors adopt to make to-do lists more encouraging and effective?
Simple habits from the article include writing lists clearly, starting each list with several items already crossed off to create momentum, favouring concrete actionable items over vague goals, and giving yourself credit for past accomplishments. These steps turn lists into encouragement rather than an endless burden.
If I find myself constantly deferring financial tasks, how can I stop procrastinating?
The article suggests breaking big or vague items into tiny, time-boxed tasks (15 minutes or one hour), prioritising the essentials, and using reminders or apps if helpful. Also, count and celebrate small wins by crossing items off—this positive reinforcement makes it easier to keep tackling deferred finance tasks instead of letting them pile up.
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