I am in the habit of maintaining a to-do list. I don’t update it daily, although that is something I had intended to do (which is another subject altogether!).
Anyway, yesterday I opened my “non-daily” to-do list on the computer. The first thing I see at the top is the date of my previous version, which was nine days ago. NINE DAYS. I couldn’t believe it! Where did the time go?
I have been keeping my goals at the forefront of my mind while doing everything I can to keep things moving in the direction of my choosing. But… nine days? Seriously? Of course I didn’t have to scan it too much to see that most of the items were still outstanding. Now, the automatic response recipe usually has a healthy dose of disappointment mixed in with anxiety and more than a dash or two of self-scolding.
However, I have decided that there will be no more of that recipe for me, especially since I detect a very clear pattern of creating my to-do list and continuing to carry forward the tasks – over and over again.
As I have stated in my Heal For Real!™ Manifesto, “I am willing to examine the idea that everything in my life is part of my path, not an interruption.” So what I have decided to do is realize that my not getting these tasks done is part of my path. With that in mind, the first thing that happens is that I breathe a bit. And that feels pretty good!
After I take that “get off of my own back” breath, I ask myself the following questions:
- Are my tasks things that I can actually accomplish?
- Do I always do my very best at any given time?
- Are my goals the same?
If my answers to any of those questions is “no” then I will explore why, and think about what I can change. However, if my answers to those questions are a resounding “yes,” then I think there is a message (and, therefore, an opportunity) in there for me.
Perhaps I don’t find the tasks enjoyable. If my journey isn’t enjoyable, what makes me think that the end result will be enjoyable? If I am in the habit of thinking the stuff I’m doing is drudge work, my habitual mindset will be focused on the idea of drudge work. I would rather live in the mindset of happy work or fun work so that I can bask within the energy of that. So, without changing anything but my mindset, perhaps I will find myself with renewed vigor and doing the tasks at hand.
Assuming that “all roads lead to Rome,” perhaps there are different things I can do that will still get me where I want to go. I can reevaluate my steps and perhaps think outside of the box to arrive at a more enjoyable course of action that will help me arrive at the same place.
And, finally:
Perhaps I am happy being distracted with other things right now. If that is the case, why not just relax and enjoy the days as they are going, which, just by itself, is a pretty good deal.
In considering these ideas, I can already feel my energy shift. I have arrived at three things that show me that, yes, there is a message for me in not getting my to-do list done:
- Relax and enjoy the journey
- Chill and enjoy the journey
- Enjoy the journey!
Perhaps I will continue to keep the things on my to-do list undone, just so that I can have the feeling of lightening up, over and over again!
I love this article! I don’t set goals or keep a to-do-list anymore for the reasons you shared. My life is much more FUN since I stopped pushing myself to do things I truly don’t enjoy doing. This shift in behavior reduced my stress level and self-loathing 100%. I’m free. I love my freedom! Thank you, Janet. Your article is very insightful (in-sight-full).