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There are plenty of different attitudes on offer when it comes to how we should structure our lives. Some people are pretty strongly from the “go with the flow” school, and others are big advocates for planning and taking action.

Among the group that is in favour of planning and being organised, there are many different systems out there for staying on top of our projects and obligations, ranging from the Bullet Journal Method created by Ryder Carroll, to business organisational expert David Allen’s famous “Getting Things Done” system.

Whichever system or approach you might be drawn to, there are some real benefits to making a to-do list, and checking off those neglected tasks. Here are just a few.

You save yourself from potential catastrophes down the line

Life is complicated, no matter how you try and slice it. We all have a heap of obligations to attend to in our professional lives, we all have plenty of dramas and situations to keep track of in our intimate relationships, and we all have chores that need dealing with.

The thing is, if you don’t actively track all your obligations, and intentionally action them, certain things are bound to fall through the cracks and develop into catastrophes because they weren’t dealt with at the right time.

If your roof is looking in bad shape, you need to contact a roofing contractor to assess the damage, and carry out any needed repairs. Failing to carry out this essential step, at the right point in time, could lead to a severe and dangerous situation developing in your home.

“A stitch in time saves nine” is an old saying that basically means “deal with your problems now, before they become worse.”

You get to experience a great sense of accomplishment and pride for actually making things happen

We tend to think about “accomplishment” and “pride” as being things we experience mostly in terms of major accomplishments that win us awards, or something.

But you can experience a ton of pride, increased well-being, and a deep sense of accomplishment, simply by crossing items off a to-do list and making things happen.

In fact, there’s something about this fundamental act that is so innately rewarding, that it serves as the basis for many successful videogames. Small victories, combined with items checked off a to-do list of sorts.

It can really help you to achieve your dreams and ambitions

The better you become at structuring your life and taking action, and the less you’re weighed down by neglected obligations, the better your odds are of achieving your dreams and ambitions.

To achieve your dreams and ambitions, you obviously need to put in some hard work, and you need to have a clear intention and sense of what you want to achieve. But you also need to be adept at taking action, and avoiding procrastination. Handling old to-do list items can be a great training step in this direction.