You would think that with all the multitasking that we do, our ability to remember things would be significantly enhanced, right?

I mean in theory, it seems like a great mental exercise but for me, if I want to get something done, it has to go on my list otherwise it becomes a fleeting brain wave that gets sucked into the “Lost Thought Vortex”.

I have a daily list. So far, it only covers Monday through Friday. If I have to do something on the weekend, it goes at the end of Friday’s list. I can’t bear the thought of a weekend list…unless it includes things I must purchase. I know that this sounds intense but I’ll be the first to admit that I get really stressed when I forget something. Really stressed.

When something goes into the “lost thought vortex” it is almost impossible to retrieve voluntarily. You can try certain cues to draw it out but what usually happens is that it surfaces when you least expect it. Like dinner with friends you’ll find yourself suddenly blurting out, “OMG, I forgot to get the health form signed for travel soccer”, or, “Shit, I was supposed to drop off my car for servicing yesterday” and so on.

You have to be careful when making a list of falling victim to List Anxiety. I usually feel this around my friend Karen. Her list is always bigger than mine and it triggers an “I must have forgot something” twitch that can stay with me for hours. She always tries to reassure me by saying that she just writes down everything otherwise she will forget but then I’ll walk around thinking my list is so short because I forgot most of what was supposed to go on it.

It’s that lost thought vortex again. Out of mind and so out of sight.

What’s on your list?