A while back, I wrote about how I gave up on a To-Do list and instead created a “Done” list. Rather than working towards a list of crossed-off items (because, guess what, that list spreads faster than a zombie virus in a B-movie), I work towards a list comprised of accomplishments. There is nothing to cross out, just things to add. I don’t write down this list; I simply acknowledge any productive (or meaningful) moment of my day. I wanted to follow up on that concept and report its success.
So far, I am very proud of this new concept. No longer do I end my day with regrets of tasks not completed. I no longer shame myself or lower my self-worth. If I have three big things completed a day, I sleep soundly. Not only that, but now I better prioritize tasks. I’m not talking about time-sensitive things or reminders. Of course, when obvious priorities pop up like “pick up meds for the dog,” those get completed. I’m talking about priorities that I usually wouldn’t prioritize.
Previously, I prioritized things according to – honestly, I’m not sure how or why. I just know I put myself last. So, in the past, if I had skipped writing or given my dog a shorter walk to get something else completed, I didn’t like it, but it seemed necessary. These days, I try to achieve three things, and one has to be for me. Really, anything can go on my Done list, even “took a shower”, if that’s the kind of day I’m having. Because I no longer stress about a giant list, the tasks all seem smaller somehow. I can feel accomplished if the dishes get put away, even if the laundry doesn’t. This made it easy to see what I preferred most and was most upset about not completing at the end of the day.
Once I realized what I truly wanted (and needed) to prioritize and, more importantly, let myself do it, life improved. I had guests over without dusting, and things were fine. I wrote drafts without cleaning up coffee mugs for a day or two. Laundry sometimes gets skipped for a whole week. Life goes on. And the reason these uncompleted things are not bothering me quite as much is because I’m not focusing on a list of undone things. I have a list of Done things instead.
You have to admit, there is no way to do all the things.
8 glasses of water, 8 hours of sleep, 8 hours of work, 1-hour workouts, daily intake of vitamin C, proper amounts of protein, all your fruits AND veggies, read one chapter a day, write 1,000 words a day, stretch, breath, cook your own meals, walk the dog, check the kids’ homework, be the mom, sister, aunt, wife, husband, dad, brother, role you play for 10 thousand other people!! STOP.
What DID you get done today? If you went to your job (or school) and managed to come home and complete three things, especially if one was specifically FOR YOU, then you had a great day.
That’s my new philosophy, and I’m sticking with it.
INGRID E FABER 