List Fan-atic!!!

I am a habitual list-maker. I recently had some co-workers call me a "List Whore" because I am constantly making lists. Mostly I spend my time writing daily "To Do" Lists so I don't forget everything (and I have multiple copies since I have a tendency to leave them places); but other lists I have include: "What to accomplish this week", "Things to do before I die", "Things to do this Quarter" (in school - these are both personal and academically related), "Things to do this Year", and my "Books to Read" List. There are a few reasons why I love lists: one - it helps me be less forgetful, two - I try to stay organized as best I can - I'm a logical and linear thinker, the lists help me keep my hectic life in order, three - it's something to do with my hands when I'm bored so I can feel productive, & four - I think it's genetic. Let me explain this last reason; we all naturally pick up habits from people we live with, many people tend to pick up habits from parents or begin to talk in similar ways as their friends and others they spend a lot of time around. Naturally you'd assume that I grew up in a house with parents to contstantly made lists - WRONG! I recently found out that in college my dad was a constant list-maker like myself, but the past 20 years I have been completely unaware of this habit he had because my mom broke him of that habit before they had kids. I found out a few months ago when we were visiting with one of their friends from college and he asked, "Do you still constantly find tiny list scribbles on scrap pieces of paper everywhere?" Because I have been completely unaware of this old habit of his my entire life I have concluded that list-making is a genetic triat.

So why tell you about my list-making habits? Besides the fact that that's the only thing my co-workers immediately associate with me, I have recently had the pleasure of completing a task on one of my most difficult lists - I completed a book I was reading. First off, I love to read, except I never find time while I'm in school, so it's a huge accomplishment when I finish a book while in school. The book I read was The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.


I first saw this book on the best seller list at work (I work in the campus bookstore) and I read the back and was especially intriged. One of my passions is sustainability and attempting to change the world into a better place. Maybe that sounds corny and idealistic, but it is something I am truely passionate about. What drew me to this book is the idea that "little things can make a big difference." This simple line provides me with infinante amounts of hope that someday the world can be a better place, and we don't initally need large masses of people to make a difference; instead it can begin with a common passion of a select few. I actually wrote a review of this book for my Sustainable Business Practices class in which I summarized the main aspects of this book - the 3 rules: (1) The Law of the Few - Connectors, Mavens, & Salesmen, (2) The Stickiness Factor, (3) The Power of Context. Then I analyzed the relevance to the business world and the aspect of sustainability. My analysis was:

"This book was amazing. I loved that it was full of real-world facts and examples that directly related to the ideas being discussed. It provided me with a renewed sense of hope that change is possible – even if there are not masses of people following suit in the beginning, it is possible that I can make a difference in the future. The constant flow of examples provided by Gladwell is extremely informational, however is occasionally overwhelming – especially since it sometimes strays from his initial message, but he is always able to bring it full circle to make sense. This book had a great impact on me both personally and professionally. It provided as a reminder that there is hope, and change is possible; even by a select few. I feel it is sometimes discouraging to feel extremely passionate about new ways to help better our environment because at times it seems that so few people feel the same way. This book provides hope that even if there are only a few people who want to start a trend or make a difference it is possible; just remember the three rules of epidemics. Professionally, this book impacted me because it explained the best means in which to reach the public, ways in which you can influence them. I would recommend that every marketer read this book because it provides new insight on ways that we can effectively influence the publics’ opinion – we don’t need to follow the traditional means of commercials during prime time, but there are other means in which we can be even more influential. This book not only allows you to view the world and trends differently, but forces you to broaden your horizons in respects to thinking – think differently. I would recommend this book to anyone that desires to change the world – it not only gives insight in what is necessary to make an impact, but provides you with hope that you, as an individual, can make a difference."

I'm extremely excited I read this book, but it's too bad that in the last week I've completed one book on my list, yet I've added 5 others to my list. Oh well, it's never bad to continue to expand your mind.