Just about every self-help book or motivational speaker on the topic of being productive suggests that we should operate our lives with some form of to-do list. For ages the concept has been taught, packaged, sold, and then recycled in some new way. The truth is that the concept is actually highly effective. I mean Franklin-Covey made a fortune selling glorified to do lists in the form of their Franklin Planners for a reason.
My goal with this article is not to diminish the importance or value that using a list provides. Rather, I want to suggest that we take a look at what kinds of tasks we tend to put on our lists. I wonder if we get so caught up in the things that seem to be important that we sometimes sacrifice the things that really are. Let me illustrate:
A couple of days ago I was milling around in the kitchen getting ready to go to work. I was trying to listen to a Ted talk, while looking at my schedule for the day on my laptop, while also trying to cram a bowl of frosted flakes into my mouth before rushing out the door at the last minute to go to work. Already feeling anxious and overwhelmed I looked at the things I needed to do (call so and so back, email these 5 clients back, create some content for love-strong, etc), I could feel the pressure building in my chest. As I stood to drop my cereal in the sink full of unwashed dishes that were on my list to do from the day before, I caught a glimpse of a piece of paper that was under the fruit bowl on the counter. I pulled it out intending to throw it away and realized that it was my daughter Lexi’s list for the day. I have posted an image of her list for your pleasure.
“Ahhh, Thank you Lexi”. It never ceases to amaze me how often I am reminded of the principles of whole-hearted living from my children. A slow smile crossed my pursed lips and I felt the anxiety and pressure leave my body as I recognized that I was not including some of the most important things on my personal to-do list. Later that day my wife shared her list with my family. My sister texted the next image back that was written by Lexi in 2012 when she was 9 years old. It’s good to see that Lexi has had her priorities straight all along.
I reflected on a concept and habit called “dailies” that I teach to my clients constantly. In essence, our dailies are the intentional things that we need to build into our lives in order stay connected to our own hearts and souls. These things unfortunately are often the first things to go when life gets busy and chaotic even though they may be the most meaningful and important things we can do in a given day. As I jumped in the car I caught myself humming an old song “My List” by Toby Keith. Give it a listen, make your list, and then get busy being awesome!