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​​bits of joy

this post is brought to you by my to do list.

10/14/2017

10 Comments

 
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There's a group of type-A individuals who thrive on accomplishment. These people adore lists of all kinds. Packing lists. To do lists. Honey do lists. Lists of our dreams, goals, fears, strengths, weaknesses. Pro-con lists. Stationary companies are picking up on this phenomenon and making lists of lists you can list. I am not even kidding. How do I know this?? Because I am one of these list fanatics.

​Sorry, not sorry.
I am dedicated to my to-do lists. I write, and often re-write them. Simply scrawling them on scrap paper is not a valid list making strategy. Pretty paper, lettering fit for a sign hung in our home, and no food/drink/boogers courtesy of our tribe of kids. If something isn't accomplished on the determined day (*gasp!*), it is promptly moved to the next day's list. Every effort possible is made to accomplish every designated item. The longer the list, the more crossed off, the more victorious I feel!

This very post is evidence of this commitment. If you read my post two weeks ago, you know our kiddos have been under the weather. Two days ago, the oldest fell victim to the upper respiratory sickness that had wreaked havoc on her 5 younger siblings. But yesterday - oh yesterday - another kid puked snot (hopefully? prayerfully!). Jesus, please be near. 

The day has been spent wiping snot, doing mountains of laundry, getting my eye clawed by a child in a fit of rage (another story for another day), being a human jungle gym for the baby who is still recovering, and me trying to accomplish this insanely long list of things I assigned myself to do on Monday. Monday, when everyone was on the road to recovery and the future was bright with the promise of uninterrupted sleep. 

​Why? Why do I push ridiculously hard to accomplish tasks that could wait until everyone is well and the demands on my time and energy are less pressing?!

I don't know. No, seriously, I don't know. 

I'm not coming to you with a post full of solutions and answers. I'm coming to you, my fellow type-A'ers, with solidarity. Solidarity and an in-the-middle-of-crazy plea with y'all to just say no! Say no to the list. Say no to the crazy. Say no to finding your value and worth and victory in crossing things off the list.

And if you can't, I'll let you in on a 2 step life hack I've learned:
  1. Add things you've already done to your list.
  2. Cross those bad boys off.

You're welcome.

Now, I'm going to go cross 'Write Blog Post' off my list. Next week, I promise to bring you something deeper and more meaningful... I'll even add that to my list. ;)
For all the list lovers - how to slay your to do list with a no-fail 2 step process... even in the midst of crazy!
10 Comments
Elaine | thisgratefulmama.com link
10/17/2017 05:07:03 pm

I am definitely a list-maker, but only for my own use. I have a to-do list but instead of making one each day, it's a running list. How I live to cross things off! Today I crossed off exactly ZERO tasks as I was under the weather. We will call this a grace day. Lists are so useful and I'm a fan but we all need grace when life happens!

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Naomi link
10/26/2017 10:20:45 am

I have a running list, too! :) I just break it down into what I optimistically hope are reasonable goals for each month/week/day! ;)

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Stephanie Malcolm link
10/18/2017 06:33:14 am

Did you read my mind this morning? I could have written this post myself. As a Type A control freak, I will stand in solidarity with you sister!

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Naomi link
10/26/2017 10:21:21 am

Glad to have you join me, Stephanie! ;)

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Lisa notes link
10/18/2017 03:20:06 pm

Praying that sickness leaves your house sooner rather than later! I can be a slave to my to-do list, so I often have to remind myself the list is here to serve me, not for me to serve it. ha. I do get far more accomplished by having a list, though, so I am grateful to be a list maker too. :)

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Naomi link
10/26/2017 10:22:08 am

Thankfully, everyone seems to be doing well today!! And yes! Thank you for that reminder - the list is to serve us, not the other way around! Great word!

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Karen link
10/18/2017 08:15:49 pm

Love those two tips. I am a list maker myself but I have to learn to implement celebrating my accmplishments more.

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Naomi link
10/26/2017 10:23:40 am

During a particularly challenging season, when my kiddos were toddlers and an infant, my momma encouraged me to make a 'done' list! Instead of noting all the things I felt like I still needed to accomplish, she suggested writing down how I'd spent my day. It helped me gain perspective, feel good about my accomplishments, and address ways I was wasting time!

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Alicia link
10/25/2017 01:16:11 am

And that to-do list is why I am awake at 1:15am... Your post made me laugh - "Add two things you've already done to the list and cross the off" Now that's good advice to A-listers. Solidarity, Sister!

Reply
Naomi link
10/26/2017 10:24:39 am

Oh friend, I fear you have list-fulfillment-syndrome even worse than I do! This momma isn't staying awake past 9 to do anything but watch Netflix with my husband! ;)

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