To Do or Not to Do
It probably won’t surprise you to learn that most people in our society look at the world backwards. They are totally focused on what they want to have. In reality, what we have is a result of what we do, and what we do is a result of who we are. Therefore, we should focus on being the kind of person that will do the right things so we will have what we want to have. We are all beyond busy here in the 21st century. There is more to do than we can even think about, much less focus upon or get done, so we must be mindful of what we are doing and, more importantly, what we are not doing.
I have heard of people who make it through their professional and personal lives without a calendar or a “To Do” list, but I have never met one of these people and cannot imagine how they function. Most people would tell you that their family, friends, faith, and causes they care about are the most important things in their lives. However, if you examine their calendar, you will find little or no time carved out for these purported priorities.
I am in the process of going through a time transformation in my life. This may sound like a Star Trek plot device, but in reality, it is simply me trying to determine what I should be doing and what I should not be doing on a daily basis. Too often the things we call priorities are left until we have some spare time, but if you haven’t noticed, no one has any spare time. Therefore, your family vacation, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and other special times with friends and loved ones must be on your calendar before any other items are entered.
Next, you should consider your short term and long term goals so you can put activities on your calendar that will move you in the right direction. Finally, you should put what I call the necessary evils on your calendar which are things you don’t want to do, but if you don’t address them, they will create problems such as doing your taxes, maintaining your home and car, and reviewing your will, insurance, and other important documents.
Beyond this, I have been working on my “Not To Do” list which involves setting meetings with people I don’t know who have agendas I don’t understand, seeking outcomes I can’t imagine. These may be well-meaning people, but if we allow them to take time away from our priorities, they are robbing the essence of who we are. Every hour we waste is an hour we could have spent doing things we enjoy and that matter to us or simply relaxing and resting so we will be physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to pursue our priorities tomorrow.
As you go through your day today, manage your time and everything else will take care of itself.
Today’s the day!