What’s on your to-do list? Chances are, most of the things on your list aren’t things that light you up, excites you, or utilizes your gifts.
What I have discovered – at work and at home – is when I fill my to-do lists and my goals list with things that don’t light me up, the less likely I am to accomplish them.
Here’s a rule of thumb that I have for myself (and I would encourage you to adopt this into your routine):
Always have expressions of self-love on your to-do
Always have a way to give love on your to-do list
Expressions of self-love includes
- Drink a gallon of water
- Exercise (no, this is not torture! LOL)
- Sleep well
- Laugh out Loud or Laugh until you have tears coming down your face
- Be still; meditate
Ways to give love – which you can do at home AND at work
- Listen without judging or responding
- Share a laugh with a co-worker
- Say good morning, smile, and give a compliment
- Give someone encouragement online
Once you have a few of these activities on your to do list, now you can add things to your list that makes you feel accomplished, that utilizes your gifts/talents, and lights you up. Some examples are:
- Finish a report you’ve been working on
- Planning a dinner party at your house
- Surprising your son/daughter at school
- Decide on the title of your next book
Now, you can add everything else to you to do list that you don’t particularly enjoy doing, but have to do:
- Laundry & Dishes
- Schedule a meeting with one of your contractors
- Balancing the checkbook
- Sort the invoices and reading through contracts
Your to-do list doesn’t have to be boring or draining when you know how to prioritize your list to help you live your best life.
That’s why I love me some Sherica!!! I’ve been struggling w/ starting my radio podcast back up, my food truck business as well as finishing up my semester in healthcare. And then comes a gift from God illuminating the universe & people like me. Thank you Queen Sherica I will use these tools starting today!
Hi Garry! I’m very glad that you found my blog useful and right on time! Keep me posted on your progress!
I have a hard time focusing. Making a To Do List is easy but it’s a challenge for me to follow through because I get distracted very easily. I don’t know if it’s ADD, procrastination or just plain laziness. Your message inspires me to focus on myself first so that I have the time and energy needed to focus on other aspects of my life. So thank you, I will definitely use your advice. Hopefully I can live a more productive lifestyle and illuminate the stress that comes from feeling overwhelmed.🙏🏽
Hi Laquita, Sometimes Keeping a to-do list is a challenge when you’re not used to it. I would suggest that you start with a to-list of the things you like to do. Although you may not need a list to remind you to do the things you like to do, it can help create the habit for you. Also, if you have a hard time focusing and not getting distracted, two possible solutions is 1) Go to an environment that will minimize your distractions like a study room in the library and 2) Give yourself frequent breaks – once every 20 minutes for only 5 minutes. Set the alarm on your phone do that you don’t forget. I hope these additional tips help!