It’s not easy to stay on top of everything that needs to be done. And, it’s even more challenging if your executive function skills aren’t as advanced as you’d like. But, there are many ways to make the day-to-day demands a lot easier to cope with and checklists are just one of those tools.
The Difference between Check Lists and To Do Lists
We’ve heard it before, “what’s the point in a checklist, if I’m running a to do list?” But, these are two very different lists – even if you use a check box format for your to do list. While there may be some overlap, checklists are typically static lists while your to do list should be remarkably fluid and ever-changing.
Your to do list should include all your assignments, deadlines, and one-off tasks. And, your to do list is likely to look different every single day. Every time you get a new assignment or finish a task, this list should reflect that.
A check list, on the other hand, is more about dealing with tasks and things that remain the same day after day. A great idea of a checklist is a stationary list you receive from the school (or a specific teacher). This list reflects the materials you’re meant to have on hand at all times.
Both types of lists can be very useful, as long as they’re used properly.
Why Check lists Work
Check lists can help just about anyone struggling with executive function development, and these lists are hardly limited to specific challenges. If you flip through any number of magazines, you’ll spot check lists scattered throughout the pages. That’s because they work. And, they work on many different levels.
Working Memory – You’re busy; there’s a lot going on. More than that, you’ve got stimuli erupting around you almost constantly. Anything that helps you cut through all that mental clutter is a good thing. And, your brain will thank you for it.
Dealing with Distractions – Same story. It’s simply much easier to handle distractions if you’ve got something you can focus on. Check lists don’t eliminate the distractions, but they do help you to get past competing points of attention.
Prospective Memory – This is the biggie. Prospective memory is remembering to remember, and a lot of people struggle with this. You may think you’ll remember the milk when you get to the grocery store, even though it’s not on your list. But, if you’re like most people, you will forget it until it’s too late to go back and grab it – even if you went right past it during your shop.
When you’ve got a check list, you’re able to mitigate some of these challenges, simply because you’ve got a list that says everything you need – or everything you’re meant to do on a regular basis.
When Are Check Lists Useful
Check lists can be useful wherever you do or need the same things frequently. For example, you’ll need the same gear for football practice every day. Okay, there may be one time when the coach asks you to bring something extra. But, by and large, you could make a list of everything you need from your helmet to your shoes and keep it with you sports bag. That way, you can go through the list before leaving to go to practice – and when you’re packing up for the day.
Depending on your own level of forgetting to remember, you could have check lists for just about anything, such as what you need to do to get ready for school, the stationary you need to keep on hand, or even what you should note down whenever a new assignment is given. And, if you’re skeptical, the best thing you can do is create one check list right now. You never know how much easier it’ll make your life until you try.
