I’ve been called “the list guy.” I’m sure there are at least 7 reasons why. But there are some things even the best written list won’t solve.
Most of the time a list is a good thing – at least for me. Not everyone agrees and I’m okay with that. One guy wrote me — “What’s with all the lists? Don’t you know how to write without them?”
Whatever! But I’m okay with that. Seriously. There are other blogs out there that don’t use lists. And others that do that do. I’ve also been told I’ve encouraged some that do to use the lists to do so.
I don’t use lists in every post. If you keep reading you will notice I didn’t this one, but lists sometimes help me make a complex issue simpler.
I start my day with lists.
Lists are how I process ideas. I think in lists. In fact, I even counsel people with lists — steps to think through — options — thoughts — in lists. It works for me.
Thankfully it seems to have worked for this blog. I have a lot of blog posts beginning with “7” in the title and my blog traffic through the years hasn’t been too shabby. I could give you a list of reasons I’m thankful for that.
But I need to be honest.
Lists aren’t everything.
Lists — in and of themselves — aren’t the solution.
And I can promise you this: There’s one thing a list won’t solve.
A list won’t solve your problem if all you do is make (or read) a list.
Period.
A list won’t fix a broken marriage. It won’t improve your leadership. It can’t help you to lose weight. You won’t be a better parent simply by reading another list.
I could give you a whole list of reasons why. Probably 7, 10 or 12 reasons why.
If you ignore doing the right things — list or no list — it’s not going to work.
You can make all the lists you want. Read every list out there. There are a few on this blog. I think some of them are pretty good. But one thing I know for sure:
You can’t succeed at what you don’t begin.
Ideas don’t lead to success. Making lists won’t mandate progress. Reading lists won’t produce success. A list might help. It might give you the direction you need. It might break things down into more manageable steps.
But actions lead to success. Completing the list brings the rewards of completion. Taking positive steps forward — that is what leads to success.
Do nothing and you get no results.
If you don’t “work the list” — the list is of no value.
The very best list can’t solve the problem of inactivity.
Do you need a list to understand this post? Be honest.
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