Tag Archive for: Paula Rizzo

Medicine Hunter Travels the World with a List

Since starting this blog I’ve realized — I’m not alone in this list making thing. There are many other notable list makers out there to learn from.  Each month I’ll be featuring a successful “list producer” to prove that list making will help you to achieve more in life.

My very first featured “list producer” is Chris Kilham — better known as the Medicine Hunter.  Chris travels all over the world looking for natural remedies and healing plants.  I’ve produced many segments with Chris and we’ve become good friends through the years. To say his work is fascinating is an understatement.  Whether he’s traveling to Siberia or the Amazon — Chris never leaves home without a list!

Q: Why do you call yourself a compulsive list producer?

A: I would say that I am a consistent list maker. Over the years I have found that if I make lists, I can be more focused and get more done. So lists greatly enhance my overall efficiency. Read more

List Making Will Save Your Brain

Since starting this blog I’ve realized I’m not alone in my list-making compulsion!  Many people have reached out saying they are also list freaks.  But with that said — we are actually on to something here.  List making is actually good for your brain!

I want to thank my very first guest blogger — memory expert Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D — for this entry!

Why List Making Will Save Your Brain

By Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D

Cynthia R. Green Ph.D.

Cynthia R. Green Ph.D.

Memory tools, such as list making, force us to pay closer attention to the information we need to remember, and they give that information meaning by placing it an organizational scheme. In addition, they let us control what we need to remember by giving us the opportunity to review it.

Here are my top five reasons why list making is beneficial:

1. Lists get us to pay attention to things we need to remember. Using lists, just like using any technique to boost your brainpower, will focus your attention more actively on the information you need to remember. Why? When we work with information, we pay closer attention to it.

2. Lists help us remember the things we need to remember — but not memorize. Read more

4 Lists for Stress-Free Travel

Willis Tower / Sears TowerMy recent trip to Chicago reminded me just how important having a list is when traveling. I know it sounds super nerdy – but doing a little homework before you leave will guarantee an easy and stress-free journey. I usually start crafting up my lists a week in advance (or more if I’m really excited about the trip!).

These are the 4 travel lists I NEVER leave home without:

1. Itinerary

This is an itemized list of everything you will do on your trip. Run through each day in your mind and visualize what you’ll be doing. Then write down a brief description or note about each event. That way you can prepare by making reservations, packing the appropriate clothes and making the most of the time you have at your destination.

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A List for Visiting Oprah Winfrey

One of the most exciting things in my short life has happened! In just one week – I will be sitting in the audience of the Oprah Winfrey Show!!!!!! I’m sooooo excited! This moment is going to be really special for me because it’s been 18 years in the making. You see, Oprah is the reason I went into TV.

When I was just 13 years old – I was obsessed with “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and decided to write a letter to my hero. So I did. I got a response back on official “Oprah” letterhead along with an autographed photo.

Check out the letter I got back and the vintage “Oprah hair” in her picture.

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5 Reasons to be a Compulsive List Maker

To-do ListWhether you write a to-do list, a grocery list or a list of pros and cons – the act of putting thoughts down on paper will be good for your mind, body and soul. I’m not kidding. Making a list will decrease stress, increase productivity, keep you organized and focused, and give you a sense of accomplishment.

Making a list may seem pointless at first, but investing some time into this simple task offers big returns. My beloved journalism professor Cathy Krein always told us to “keep it simple, stupid,” when critiquing our writing. She meant that in the most loving way and I think that statement can be applied to everything in life – including lists.

I’ll get to more benefits in another blog, but here are the reasons you MUST start making lists now:

1. We are forgetful

It’s true – the average adult attention span is 15-20 minutes, so we are bound to let a few tasks fall through the cracks here and there. But you don’t have to!

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