The Psychology of To-do Lists (2)

Problem: Most people have a preference for short, easy tasks. But this can lead to the easy jobs getting checked off while long ones remain.

Solution: Divide long assignments into smaller parts. For example, don't write Plan trip to Japan: write Check plane-ticket prices online. This makes long tasks seem easier. You can also use "fun"tasks as rewards when you finish difficult ones.

Problem: Writing the list itself can be a form of procrastination. It gives you a sense of accomplishment - without doing any real work.

Solution: Don't just list tasks; decide when and where to do them. This will help you follow through. Some experts recommend a method called if'/then planning. For example, rather than writing Call Steve, write Monday after lunch, call Steve. Others abandon to-do lists altogether because they prefer scheduling tasks on a calendar.

Remember, to-do lists are tools. They won't solve all your time-management problems. But if used well, they can make you more effective at work and at home.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Altogether vs. All Together

Hi, friends, how do you spell "altogether"? Is it one word or two words?

Well, that will depend on what you want to say. Each spelling brings with it a different meaning.

OK. First, altogether spelled as one word - this is used as an adverb, meaning completely or to the full extent. Here's an example, "That test was altogether too difficult".

In other words, when all is said and done, the test was a difficult one. So, altogether, there is one word.

Now, let's look at all together as two words. The word all indicates a group of something. So the phrase all together means everyone or everything in a group acting together. Can you think of an example, Ken?

Sure, the last time we were all together was in 2001.

So, that's all together, two words. If it's still not clear, try this little trick. If you can rephrase the sentence by breaking up all and together, then you should write all together as two words.

So, instead of saying, "the last time we were all together was in 2001", you might rephrase it and say...

"The last time all of us were together was in 2001".


Language Lab
preference n.
a feeling of liking or wanting one person or thing more than another person or thing
prefer v.
to like (someone or something) better than someone or something else
- Greg has shown a strong preference for astronomy since he was a boy.
- In order to serve our customers better, it's important to know their preferences.

procrastination n.
/prəˌkræstəˈneɪʃən/
- Any procrastination in decision-making can cause a loss of millions of dollars.
procrastinate v.
to be slow or late about doing something that should be done : to delay doing something until a later time because you do not want to do it, because you are lazy, etc.
- The buyers intentionally procrastinated when making their house payments.

follow through [phrasal verb]
to complete an activity or process that has been started
- Chloe is good at planning, but really bad at following through.
— often + on or with
- Richard was assigned to follow through on this project.

abandon v.
to stop doing or having (something) : to give up (something) completely
- David was forced to abandon his studies because of his illness.
to leave and never return to (someone who needs protection or help)
- This little baby was abandoned in front of an orphanage.
- The captain decided to abandon ship as it began to sink.


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130917baa50814db66f76e3902ee118b67aba47c8577518f99da977cc01b21c020c181ba3.wma