26+ List Templates in Word

As much as you want to deny it, your memory grows weaker every waking day. You used to only rely on your memory to remember things you need to do, buy, or accomplish, but as you grow older, you realize that you can’t really depend on your memory anymore. Besides, the human mind is not as accurate as you would like to think it is. It can sometimes mess things up, remember things as they weren’t and forget something altogether. And have you heard of selective memory? This phenomenon is when you remember only the things you want and deliberately forget those you want to forget. Therefore, you need to find an alternative way to make remembering things much easier.

• 31+ List Templates and Examples – PDF
• 20 Checklist Examples in Excel

Whatever reason it may be, there is nothing wrong with making sure you don’t forget things especially when they are really important. People may say “Oh, you’re too young to become so forgetful,” don’t mind them. Forgetting some things is pretty normal and there is nothing wrong with that. One way you can make sure you don’t forget stuff is through making a list. You can make a list of the things you need to buy at the grocery, a list for all the things you need to do for the day, material you need for a project, basically make a list of anything you want to accomplish. It can help you have a physical representation of what you want to accomplish making it easier for you to remember.

Advantages of Using a To-Do List

You can easily manage your time by listing the things that need to get done by the end of the day, week, month, or year. It helps you consolidate all of your tasks in one place. With the use of the list, you can easily go through the items you have listed, and prioritize and tackle the most important ones and accomplish the not so important ones after. Here are some of the advantages of using a to-do list:

1. It doesn’t forget

As mentioned before, your brain is not the most efficient memory tool and it chooses to only trust systems and ways it knows works. Although you have great trust that your brain will be able to recall important things at the time it is most needed, it is not as accurate as you think it is. It has been proven countless of times that the brain is prone to bad memory recall when face with stress, anxiety, and even depression. Having a list of the things you need to do will give you an assurance that you will not miss anything that needs to be done. Aside from that, it can help you do things on schedule and on the dot.

2. Helps set priorities

To make sure that you focus on the most important items or tasks rather than working on the less important ones first, making a to-do list is an important first step that you should take. Although it can be tempting to work on less important tasks because they stand out more or because they are easier to do, you need to get the hardest and/or the most important ones out of the way first. A to-do list will help you find your focus and can help you find the things or tasks that are most significant and important as of the moment. That way you can spend more energy and time on those things or tasks rather than spend it on things that are least significant. It is a matter of perspective; once you have already made a list, set priorities and decide which things or tasks need to be done first.

3. Lets coordination of similar tasks

Aside from all the mentioned advantages, a to-do list can also help you avoid repetition of the things and tasks you need to do. You can also use the to-do list to find similar tasks and do them at the same time, if possible. For example, when you have to buy something in a grocery store and you need to buy another item on a store on the same block, these tasks can can be done together simultaneously. You can save time by performing similar tasks together so that you don’t lose time in starting, stopping, and changing activities. With the help of your to-do list you can easily identify similar tasks and decide what is the best way to accomplish them.

4. Tracks progress

A to-do list can also help you keep track of your progress with regards to the tasks you need to accomplish. Since it is just a list you write down on a piece of paper or you input on your notes or reminders app on your phone, you can easily check or scratch out the items you have already accomplished. At then end of the day, when you look at the list, it will surely give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction looking at the number of scratched out tasks. Therefore, it can affect you psychologically when you see items you have accomplished or the other way around.

5. Makes it easy to carry over tasks

Even though you have a list of all the things you need to do during the day, there is bound to be items you cannot simply do especially if there is an overwhelming number of list of items on your to-do list. If you still have items that remains incomplete by the end of the day, you can easily carry it over to tomorrow’s list. This an easy way for you to prepare a to-do list for the following the day. You can start by examining your current to-do list and carry it over for the next day. That way you can still accomplish the “leftover” tasks and do new tasks for the day after.

Personal To-Do List Template Example

Grocery List Example

Staff Contact List Template Example

Editable Wedding Guest List Example

Christmas Wish List Example

Making a List Can Overcome Anxiety and Spark Creativity

According to research, work when incorporated with pleasure or play result into better productivity. Much so, a list can provide pleasure and even solace to people from mothers to professors. With a plethora of choices available everywhere, a list is an effective way to consolidate and conquer tasks and/or activities. Aside form that, it can also help you discern and progress with a clearer, lighter head. Some may say that making lists and scratching out the items one by one is a obsessional character, however, that does not always mean it’s pathological; when well-channeled it can lead to success as well as relief. Here are some of the great benefits of using a list:

1. Questions and confusions can be worked through since lists can provide a positive psychological process. In addition, the true purposes for each task surface and is understood clearly.
2. It helps cultivate the capacity to select and prioritize significant tasks from the less significant ones. This is a very useful skill especially when trapped in an information-overload situation.
3. It can help you separate the little details from what actually matters, this can be helpful for identifying what’s important as well as achieving your goals and objectives.
4. The steps needed to help accomplish tasks can also be easily determined with the use of a list. This will give you a sense of direction and can provide a plan for you on how to go on with the tasks on hand.
5. It can help you combat the habit of avoiding responsibilities. Since the list provides an actual representation of all the abstract plans, it sets the stage for commitment and action especially when you impose a deadline for yourself.
6. It can help organize and contain the inner chaos you might feel with the overwhelming amount of things you need to do. This can help make you feel as if your load is quite manageable.
7. It can also spark creativity since lists can incorporate designs into the outline. In that sense, it can lighten the obligation with a feeling of freedom.

Retail Inventory List Example

Packing and/or Weight List Example

Research Reference List Example

Camping Packing List Example

Classroom Inventory List Example

Training Attendance List Template Example

Job Reference List Example

Ways a Bucket List Can Improve Life

Some people use a bucket list to have physical representation of the goals they want to achieve within their lifetime. It can be just small and fun little things and it can also be monumental and poignant things that can help change the world. Whatever it may be about, a bucket list can help inspire people to work hard in order to achieve their goals and dreams. Listed below are some of the ways a bucket list can help improve your life:

1. Forces you to identify the things that you really want

It’s quite a normal phenomenon for people to walk through life aimlessly as if not knowing what direction take. It is quite the norm to just follow what has been conventional for the society. However, some people choose to go against the flow and pursue their true passion in life. The process involved in writing a bucket list will force you to take a closer look at what you truly desire in order to analyze where you currently are in life versus where you want to be. It can urge you to contemplate what your future will look like, your dreams, and what type of experiences to have under your belt. By asking yourself what you truly want, then setting your goals and constantly reexamining your goals, you gain a strong self-knowledge that will guide you in the right direction.

2. It gets you excited

A lot of people have trouble sleeping at night because of the countless tasks they need to do when they wake up. But what if what kept you up at night were your thoughts on planning your next trip or planning your next adventure? Then being awake on the wee hours of the night because of excitement can also be the reason to get up early in the morning. When you are so used to a routine you can feel like you are stuck in a rut and it can be hard to get excited bout the day that lies ahead. A bucket list will give a reason to spend an extra hour working to get additional money so you can pursue your goal. It can create excitement deep within you and helps expose the passion you thought you had lost a long time ago.

3. It helps you focus

Since you have your goals and dreams listed on your bucket list, it can give you a sense of direction that will allow your mind to focus on the target. A bucket list will help you determine your end goal and help you figure out the steps you need to take to get there all while keeping your eyes on the prize. If you don’t have clear goals, you can easily get distracted and get diverted heading into multiple directions that you may regret later. However, the truth is even though you have already set your goals you can still get distracted and may lose your focus on the way, but with the help of your bucket list, you can continuously refer to it in order refuel your drive and motivation to achieve your goals and dreams.

4. It motivates you

Since you have a list of your goals right in front of you, it will surely motivate you to do whatever it takes to achieve them. Your motivation is that necessary extra push that you need to accomplish your goals. In order to get motivated, you need to be able to clearly determine what you really want and a bucket list will you do just that. The goals you include in your list will be the root of your motivation. Aside from that, having any sort of list will always inspire you to do the things listed down so that you can cross it off, whether it may be as simple as weekly grocery list, a daily to-do list, or your life’s worth bucket list.

5. Pushes you outside your comfort zone

A saying that goes “life begins outside your comfort zone” is a common saying you hear from people who want to inspire you. And, they’re right. You will need to do some things outside of your comfort zone in order to improve your skills, develop a good mental state, get to know yourself deeper, find out what you’re actually good at, and so on. A bucket list will inspire and push you to do things even though you find it uncomfortable at first. It will urge you to test your limits and do things that you thought you weren’t capable of. Not only that, if you stay within the comforts of what you’re used to, you will miss the chance of the wonderful opportunities and experiences outside your comfort zone.

Emergency Contact List Example

Apartment Inventory List Example

Attendance List Example

Class Email List Example

Birthday Party Guest List Example

6. It can make you feel accomplished

Once you slowly cross out the things off your bucket list, you can see how far you have come. You will have a clear picture of what you have successfully done and what you intend to do in the future. Once you see how far you have come, you get a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that you have accomplished so much. Seeing the things listed in your bucket list slowly become less and less throughout the days, it can be exciting and satisfying. There is nothing better than knowing that you have accomplished almost all of your goals through your hard work, determination, and perseverance; it can help build you self-esteem and help increase your life satisfaction.

7. It makes you more interesting to other people

In addition to improving your self-esteem, it can also make you more interesting and intriguing to other people. Your life story can even become an inspiration to others. With a bucket list, you will have personal stories from the places you have been along with the extraordinary things you have done to contribute to the conversation. Aside from that, you can easily join conversations of your peers since you have experienced a lot of things that can add to the conversations. It also makes you more open-minded on the differences between cultures and of the world, and more flexible and versatile.

8. Helps keep you active

Living a couch potato life may be tempting, just sleeping and doing nothing all day, but isn’t that just boring? The goal of a bucket list is to inspire you to move and do something worthwhile with your precious time. Even as simple as joining Pilates classes, go on new hiking routes, joining a 5-kilometer marathon, or go on a camping trip on new camping grounds. Whatever it may be, you bucket list will one way or another inspire you to keep an active lifestyle so that you can avoid living a sedentary and boring life.

9. Creates a legacy

What amazing adventures and stories are you gonna tell your grandchildren should you decide to live life within your comfort zone and just follow life’s flow? The incredible times you have spent outdoors, the mountains and trails you have trekked and hiked, the oceans and sees you have swam will leave a lasting impression to the people you happen to be close with you. You can set an example to the next generation that following your passions, pursuing your dreams and goals will always be more amazing than just letting other people decide you fate. No matter how you live life, what matters is that you lived it the way you want to, which will surely inspire and leave a mark on other people’s lives.

10. Allows you to dream bigger

A bucket list is your invitation to dream bigger. Oftentimes, people set their goal because they have financial and personal constraints. However, your bucket list will encourage you to look past those constraints and help you set goals that are beyond that. Aside from that, it will encourage you to plan things for the long run instead of planning just for the short term. It will encourage you to do the things you have dreamed of while taking away the limitation of fear, time, and money.

Bucket List Example

Current Medications List Template Example

Book List/Recommended Reading List Example

Display Material Document List Example

Punch List Example

Rooming List Template Example

Why Use a Shipping Packing List?

When you send packages to loved ones near or far away from you, you intend for them to personally receive the package. Therefore, you need to include all the relevant information so that it gets to the destined receiver or makes its way back to you if the receiver was not able to receive it. Here are some reasons why using a shipping packing list is important:

• It takes into account the product being released and shipped to the buyer’s facility.
• The issuance of the inland bill of lading is supported by the shipping packing list.
• It helps identify the details required for a certificate of origin.
• It provides the detail required by the law for the Electronic Export Information filing in the Automated Export System (AES).
• The issuance of a Material Safety Data Sheet stating if the goods are deemed hazardous are supported by the packing list.
• A shipping packing list is used to create a booking with the international carrier, subsequently it is also used for the issuance of the international bill of lading.
• The importer’s customs broker will use it to enter the goods into their country as it contains required detail.
• In the event of loss or damage to the goods while en route, it becomes a document that will be used to support an insurance claim.
• It provides the buyer with the ability to accurately tally the product that they receive, and subsequently reimburse the exporter (seller) of the goods.
• It can be used under a letter of credit to support reimbursement.

Summer Reading List Example

Daily To-Do List Template Example

Suppliers List Example

Grocery Shopping List Example

Conclusion

The given examples above are of the different types of lists. The discussions are about the advantages and benefits of a to-do list, a bucket list, and a packing list as well as the overall psychological effect of making a list. We hope that the given examples as well as the explanations have helped you understand the importance of lists and how it can improve your life.