The 'To Do' List vs. the 'To Be' List by Colleen Langenfeld Copyright (c) 2005
How long is your 'to do' list?
Do you ever get it done? Even feel as if you are making progress?
I was in that spot, too, but I made a simple change that has significantly increased my productivity level and decreased my frustration level.
I shifted from allowing a 'to do' list to be my primary focus, to making my 'to be' list come first. Let me explain.
What is more important to you?
- cleaning the house
OR
- being a top-notch parent?
For many of us, the answer is an easy one. The house may need cleaning, but parenting wins out every time. That type of thinking is concentrating on 'being' and when you do that you are focusing on your values. You are expending your energy on what is important to you and on what you naturally want to spend time on. The result? More productivity, better results, more satisfaction.
You see, in this scenario, an activities list will flow naturally to support a focus on 'being'.
Try it in an area of your life where you're feeling frustration. Instead of obsessing on the myriad of details that you needed to get done yesterday, for example, spend a little time determining what kind of person you want to be. Now examine that 'myriad of details'. Are they moving you in the direction you want to go?
Want more ideas? Okay...
- Do want to be more generous? Where can you put this into action at work? Can you be more generous with your time, your knowledge base, your attitude? How would that benefit both you and your coworkers?
- Need to learn how to be more patient? Realize that tackling a long-term project in a systematic manner, will give you ample opportunities to stretch your patience.
- Wish you knew your children better? Then see those everyday projects like cleaning the garage, working in the garden or dealing with their friends as opportunities to develop solid relationships with them.
When you see activities from this perspective, you will get more satisfaction from the mundane and your 'to do' list will gain clarity and meaning. Best of all, you'll be able to pare down your gargantuan 'do it today' list to a more manageable size: the items that most support your desired wish 'to be'.
About the Author:
Colleen Langenfeld offers helpful ideas to busy working mothers. Find career helps, organizing tips, meal-planning,wellness ideas and more at http://www.paintedgold.com .
