A different kind of list this year

I’m sure your to-do list is full — whether it’s getting those last minute presents, packing for holiday travels, or preparing to host your family and friends. And before you know it, you’ll be headed into the new year with even more aspirations filling up that to-do list.

Do you find this process has you feeling just a tad bit overwhelmed?

You’re certainly not alone in that feeling. And you might find it ironic that one solution for managing your to-do list overwhelm is found in creating another list.

Try starting a “to-don’t” list.

Before you dive head first into next year, take a few minutes to scroll back through the past year on your calendar.

What received the majority of your time and attention? 

What were the most draining things on that list?

And which of these draining things do you want to do LESS of?

This is how your “to-don’t” list begins to emerge. And once you have a better idea of what you want to do less of, then you can address how you’re going to stick to it.

For example, earlier this year, I set out to drastically reduce time spent mindlessly on my phone. 

While I’m happy to report that using my Apple watch and replacing that time with more mindful activities has helped, the best way to be on my phone LESS has simply been to leave it in the other room to keep it out of my reach. 

What can you do LESS of so you can do MORE of what really matters?

When you start with this question, you’ll find your “to-do” list a bit easier to manage next year.

And finally, as you’ve probably figured out by now, these musings are largely written and spoken as reminders to myself. I clearly don’t have it all figured out – far from it! – but writing and thinking out loud here has certainly helped me on my journey in this life. It’s my hope that you continue to find them helpful and useful in your life as well.

Thank you for being here and making the time to read or listen. From my family to you and yours, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season spent in the company of those people that matter most to you.