From community journalism to health care and higher ed, Mike’s career is powered by a passion to discover, create and share stories that connect people and advance strategic priorities.


When It Comes to List Making, Work With What Works For You

When It Comes to List Making, Work With What Works For You

Whiteboard-to-do.jpg

I’m a listmaker. I even make lists to organize my lists. I use journals, a planner, notecards, Trello, the back of envelopes, whatever’s handy. Sometimes I even text myself a list just before going to sleep so it will be in my face first thing in the morning.

The last time I visited my brother, I noticed that he’s a listmaker too. Post-It-Notes™ on the steering wheel was one of his tactics that I noticed.

But when it comes to list-making and organization, I declare Jonathan, my son, the winner. When he still lived at home, I noticed a large whiteboard on the floor in front of his room’s doorway. There’s something beautiful about putting a physically larger-than-life to-do list between yourself and where you need to go. My favorite part about his list in the photo above is the last item — “bigger whiteboard.” That’s not just planning. That’s planning ahead.

While I continue to try out new formats, patterns, setups, and configurations, for me, it all starts and ends with a list. What’s most important is that we find a system that works for us and go with it. And if that doesn’t work, get a bigger whiteboard.

Create. Finish. Ship. Repeat.

Create. Finish. Ship. Repeat.

Dog Stories: Happy Adoption Anniversary, Dino

Dog Stories: Happy Adoption Anniversary, Dino