The Checklist Book: Set Realistic Goals, Celebrate Tiny Wins, Reduce Stress and Overwhelm, and Feel Calmer Every Day

by Alexandra Franzen

Overview

Master both major and minor tasks—by going back to the basics and writing out a simple checklist. It will change your life.
 
The checklist is one of the world’s oldest—and most effective—productivity systems. If anything, says entrepreneur Alexandra Franzen, it is just as valuable now as it was during the days of the Roman Empire, allowing us to tangibly plan our day and set in stone what we want to accomplish. There are countless apps and organizational systems promising to help us straighten out our lives, but often they only add to the madness and leave us feeling drained and overwhelmed. Learn how to:
· Choose your highest priorities
· Set realistic goals
· Celebrate tiny wins
· Feel calmer every day
 
By physically writing down our tasks on a single piece of paper, we force ourselves to be realistic and limit how much we can do in a day. Too often, we cram our day with tasks and chores and leave almost no space for self-care or time with loved ones. We end up disappointed in our inability to complete our never-ending to-do list. Checklists help you accomplish what needs to be done—and enjoy things you want to be doing, too.
 
“There are thousands of books on how to become more organized and productive, but very few have the heart, soul, humor, and gentle encouragement of this book.” —Ellen Fondiler, career and business strategist

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781642501193
Publisher:	Mango Media
Publication date:	01/01/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	170
File size:	31 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Alexandra Franzen is an author and entrepreneur, and is proud to be known as a “checklist freak.” She has written articles for sites like Time, Forbes, Newsweek, The Huffington Post, The Muse, and Lifehacker, and she’s been mentioned in The New York Times Small Business Blog, The Atlantic, USA Today, StyleCaster, Brit+Co, and Inc.Her books include You’re Going to Survive (true stories and advice on how to survive painful experiences in your career), 50 Ways to Say You’re Awesome (a book about the power of saying “thank you”), and So This Is the End (a novel about a woman with exactly one day to live).She’s the creator of Get It Done, an online class that helps you tackle a project you’ve been avoiding and finally get it handled. She’s the founder of The Tiny Press, a publishing imprint specializing in short books that are 100 pages or less. She also works as a copywriter and consultant, helping clients complete all kinds of writing/storytelling/media projects: books, websites, podcasts, marketing campaigns, and more.She lives in a house with an entire wall that’s covered in giant bulletin boards and checklists. alexandrafranzen.com

Read an Excerpt

From the Foreword

There’s something universally satisfying about making a list of meaningful goals, checking things off, and basking in the golden glow of accomplishment. As humans, we love that sweet feeling of alignment and integrity: “I said I would do it. I did it. I followed through. It’s done.”

Research shows, the more promises you keep, the better you feel. There’s a direct connection between your level of personal integrity (promises kept, boxes checked, intentions fulfilled) and your self-esteem, happiness, and well-being.

The Checklist Book is your invitation to gently assess your life. How are you living? What kind of promises are you making and why? Which kinds of goals matter to you and which don’t? What belongs on your checklist for today and what doesn’t? What does “a good life” mean to you?

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Alexandra, the author of The Checklist Book, on several projects—including a book proposal, articles, workbooks, and other materials for my clients. She’s encouraging and tender—the type of person who records a three-minute audio message and emails it to you before bedtime just to remind you: “You’re doing a great job.” She’s a little bit like Fred Rogers except with blue hair and yoga pants. You’re in good hands with her. Enjoy this book. Happy list-making. Enjoy the journey of raising your level of integrity—closing the gap between the life you wish to lead, and the life you’re actually living. 

—Dr. Sasha Heinz, PhD, psychologist and life coach

Table of Contents

Foreword 12

Introduction: Take What You Need 15

Chapter 1 The Power of Making a Checklist 17

Chapter 2 The History of Checklists 33

Chapter 3 The Science of Checklists 43

Chapter 4 The Big Question: How Do You Want to Spend Your Time? 50

Chapter 5 The Daily Checklist 79

Chapter 6 The Loose-End Checklist, Seasonal Cliecklisf, Survival Checklist, and More 122

Chapter 7 Checklist Troubleshooting 153

Closing Thoughts 169

Recommended Books, Websites, & Other Resources 174

Acknowledgments 185

About The Author 189

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“There's something universally satisfying about making a list of meaningful goals, checking things off, and basking in the golden glow of accomplishment. As humans, we love that sweet feeling of alignment and integrity: ‘I said I would do it. I did it. I followed through. It’s done.’ Research shows, the more promises you keep, the better you feel. There’s a direct connection between your level of personal integrity (promises kept, boxes checked, intentions fulfilled) and your self-esteem, happiness, and well-being. The Checklist Book is your invitation to gently assess your life. How are you living? What kind of promises are you making and why? Which kinds of goals matter to you and which don’t? What belongs on your checklist for today and what doesn’t? What does ‘a good life’ mean to you? You’re in good hands with her. Enjoy this book. Happy list-making. Enjoy the journey of raising your level of integrity—closing the gap between the life you wish to lead, and the life you’re actually living.”

—Dr. Sasha Heinz, PhD, psychologist and life coach