The List

So I’ve found in recent weeks that to excel in my endeavors I need to write them down. I make a list of what needs to be done. I’ve found that it’s quite joyful to cross off the completed items, keeping me both motivated and honest. I stay focused and on track with a list.  It reminds me of what needs to be done and offers that instant gratification with the accomplishment of each task.

 I will start this New Year with many a list

           

            A Work List – every day before I clock out at work I make a detailed list of what needs doing the next work day, prioritizing where necessary.

             A Home List – A short list of 2-5 things (depending on the complexity of the task) that I would like to accomplish around the house each day.  Mind you sometimes just accomplishing one thing is a miracle upon itself.

            Personal Daily List - i.e., work out, read, knit, write, use my waterpik, or paint my nails….ect.

            Goal List – Daily
                               Weekly
                               Monthly
                               Yearly

 Some of these goals may change frequently, which is ok, as we grow and achieve, so must our goals grow and change, so that we may soar higher each time.

             Rewards List (my personal favorite) – Make a list of rewards. These are things I want to do or buy when I achieve my goals.

 My advice – Start slow; it takes 21 days to create a habit. Start with one goal – perhaps even your most attainable goal. Take that goal and set time aside every day for seven days strait to give it your full attention. If you are comfortable that you’ve turned this into a good habit add something new to your routine the next week. You will be amazed after 21 short days what you can accomplish.

If you mess up, don’t dwell on it, move on – move forward. There are no failures only lessons learned.

Never give up:  The following people chose not to give up despite rejections or setbacks.

Dr. Seuss – told by 27 different publishers that no one would read such silly stuff.

Stephen King – He suffered through several rejections and crappy jobs before becoming a published author.

J.K. Rowling – 12 publishing houses rejected Harry Potter before being picked up by Bloomsbury.

            Aaron Rodgers – stood in the shadows of Brett Favre for 3 long seasons.

 My last list is 100 things I want to do this year, which some might consider both lofty and preposterous, but who are they to determine what I am capable of accomplishing – for I am the dream-maker, the rule-breaker, the magic-bean-buyer, the high-flyer, the story-teller, the well-wisher, the candle-lighter, and the writer. And I’ll be damned if I let anyone else write my story.

Now if you’ll excuse me I have to write my 2012 story, starting with a list.