I’m not gonna lie. I loves me my to-do list.
Ok, maybe I don’t love my list as much as I love seeing things crossed off of my list.
Those deliberate lines right through:
Call pharmacy
or
Respond to Frank
…Instantly makes my heart flutter. 💕❤️
Sometimes when I get distracted, (like pretty much every time I’m supposed to be focusing), I respond to a client email, or research a kitchen counter stool, or renew my People subscription, and then I sneakily add my completed task to my list…just so I can…Cross it off.
And even though I added my task after I did it…
…Fluttering heart all over again. 💕❤️
Apparently, I’m a sucker for validation.
Seeing things crossed off my list is:
- A personal gold star.
- A cheap plastic trophy.
- A cheesy blue ribbon with a big “1ST PLACE” across it.
Maybe you feel the same way?
If so, then I want to take this opportunity to remind you, sweet friend, that you’re so much more than your to-do list. (No matter how many checkmarks it has).
In a time when emotions and patience are stretched way too thin and demands are growing faster than weeds…
You’re carrying a lot of accomplishments that never make it to your list.
The endless compromising with everyone at home.
The hours of conversations with your friends about how to handle school.
The quiet comfort you give your team or family (especially when they don’t deserve it).
That emotionally draining, physically taxing, mentally exhausting support you’re so good at whipping up and delivering on-demand…never makes it to the to-do list.
It’s like the work of the 3rd Assistant Camera Operator.
She unloads and sets up the equipment, makes sure camera batteries are charged, gets the monitors working, and has lenses and filters on hand, but – is never on-screen.
Her name is buried so far in the credits, you’re fighting your way out of the parking lot before it comes up.
That’s who you are. Doing all the creditless behind-the-scenes stuff, (PLUS showing up on-camera).
Who you are, what you do, and how much you’re valued, goes way beyond those checkmarks and cross offs.
Your contribution and your success shouldn’t only be tied to your to-do list but also to your…
“Here’s what I didn’t put on my list but I did anyway” list. (What?! You don’t have one of those? Oh, you totally need to get one!)
Sure, cross offs are a fun and validating way to make yourself feel better, but don’t ever forget this –
You are way more than your to-do list.
Xo,
Mridu
ps – If you’re wondering why your to-do list might not be working so well for ya, check out my epic (20-minute) podcast here.
pps – My book, Accomplish It, will help you figure out other simple ways to stop feeling like poo-poo …and instead get the meaningful stuff done without working too hard. If you don’t have it, grab it here.
ppps – You bet your sweet buns I’ll be hopping back on my to-do list to add and cross off:
– Add a shout out to my podcast today
– Add a shout out to my book today
Come on…I know it’s not the ONLY way to feel good…but it helps!
Leave a Reply