The Power of a Pro vs. Con List and a FREE Giveaway
This blog is three posts in one:
1. A case study of the power of one of my favorite kinds of lists: the pros/cons list.
2. A plug for a cool website and the pre-made list paper they make.
3. A chance for you to win FREE list paper from KnockKnockStuff.com.
WHO: Colleen Cappon – my colleague and a non-list maker
WHAT: Colleen and her fiancée Chris are getting married and having trouble planning their honeymoon
WHEN: Their wedding is in October
WHY: It’s tough to narrow down the perfect destination to celebrate their nuptials because they are overwhelmed by all the choices
WHERE: This is just the problem! They have too many options and are losing sight of what they really want
The Power of a Pros/Cons List
Enter the “List Producer” with the solution I have for everything – make a list! I told Colleen that a pros/cons list is really the best way give attention to each choice individually. I also shared some cool list paper that I’d gotten from KnockKnockStuff.com for her to write out pros and cons about each resort she and Chris were considering.
I left her to her listing homework and guess what…she came up with a solution! Colleen and Chris had their sights on the fabulous spa resort Triple Creek Ranch in Montana.
Some of Colleen’s pros:
- Beautiful cabins
- Horseback riding
- Rocky mountains
- Cookies
- Secluded
- Inclusive
Some of Colleen’s cons:
- Above price range
- Travel is difficult with multiple flights
- Chipmunk-themed cabin
- A little too secluded
- Don’t really care about the spa
The Decision
The next day Colleen told me — “Even though my list ended up with more pros than cons–it was easier to make the decision once I saw them side by side on paper.” In the end they decided this was too expensive and not worth all travel troubles.
The bride and groom will still be heading west for their honeymoon — but now they’ll stop in California. They’ll spend some time in San Francisco before climbing into their rented convertible and driving off to Glendeven Inn in Mendocino. This property is easier to get to and in their price range while still having all the things that are important to them both. Mission accomplished!
By sitting down and really evaluating each portion of their trip – Colleen and Chris were able to come to the perfect choice for them. Colleen especially liked the list paper I gave her saying, “the fancy list pad made me more excited and feel more official. I felt like it would be a waste if I didn’t choose after filling the page.”
So there you have it…a non-list maker converted!
Free Giveaway
The nice people at KnockKnockStuff.com want you to convert too – so they’re giving one lucky reader a list of their choice from their website. Please make a comment below about why you need a list to keep organized and I’ll pick a winner at random. I’ll notify the winner via email next week.
5/29/11 UPDATE: I’m happy to announce that Dana has won the free giveaway. Thanks to all who participated!
Happy listing!
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I love making lists and having different notebooks for different lists. Years later I’ve come across old lists and they transport me back to who/where I was. I would be lost without lists.
Colleen’s con list cracked me up. I love how she didn’t really like anything about the place once she thought about it. Writing things down gives them more weight and I’m glad this list helped them make the right decision about their honeymoon!
I need pre-made lists. I’m too disorganized to start them myself. Pick me!!
So true, too many choices can be the devil when you face an important decision! Sitting down and talking about it for hours and hours means that details get lost in translation and you are often being drawn back to the visible attractions and not the nitty gritty like price, accessibility and things they have in Montana like a “bed tax”… Putting the pros and cons of your options together is a great way to see what you are getting, what you would be giving up and making an informed decision. Turning Colleen into a list maker to help her reach this decision for such a special occasion is the work of a true friend. Hopefully she takes your advise on more!
I like to put “get out of bed” and “get dressed” on my daily to-do list, so that I can start out the day by checking two things off. I already feel productive. 🙂
I am such a list person! It drives my mother crazy! I have to make a list for and about everything. I just see things better that way! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m a big fan of pros and cons and have made this list for important stuff as to where to go to college to ridiculous choices like what to have for dinner! I can honestly say that without a daily list….I have no clue what I’m supposed to do.