I’m pretty good at thinking and dreaming tasks and projects up. Those ideas flood my brain all the time. What I’m not good at is taking all of those notes and plans and concepts and then organizing them, prioritizing, and scheduling them.
I have several folders and two journals that sit by my chair. I write down most everything I am inspired by or am considering. And then the folders and notebooks eat my genius. More thoughts are then piled on which may or may not make it onto a to-do list or a goals list. Remember, there’s no good system in place for anything.
To you, I may look like I’m getting stuff done but in my world, I’m a scatterbrained mess whose efficiency sucks. I’m an uber-creative who forgets herself. Oh and a mother of a two-year old. Brain muddled.
I do notice that when I do conquer my fear of my goals and then list out my why and the steps to my goal, I am much more likely to meet and complete it. Dare I say Duh? And the family is more likely to eat dinner on time if I plan my meals and prep even a little ahead.
I am not a huge fan of listing out everything I think I can do today. Or I used to be. Made me feel grand and ambitious. But now, if I’m unable to complete even just half of my proposed tasks, I’m liable to feel like a failure for the incompletion than focus on the accomplishment. On the other hand, if I don’t aim for the achievement of any goals, as in “put it on the calendar and if I can I will”, then a lot of stuff won’t even be attempted much less completed.
I sound like the guy who keeps stepping on rakes. And this is what I’m now going to tell myself. The reason that I’m not plotting out these ideas is because, behind the scenes, my self-esteem and self-assurance are still dragging. There’s a great big gap between what I want to do and what I think I can or can’t do and fear creeps into the crack between and takes a hold. That’s why those precious thoughts are thrown away or abandoned. I could have a great organizational system if I felt I was worthy of success. Busted.
I have a new organizational tool awaiting me for the new year. It’s the Get To Work Book created by Elise Blaha I bought for myself as a birthday present. It’s time to begin to use it to schedule my January goal steps. It was expensive so there’s a big motivation. I love Autumn because it feels like such a great excuse to come inside and regroup. And to take the time off from “succeeding” to do this rethinking and organizing. To forgive yourself and to gather friends near to garner the support for your next risk.
I know I’ve asked this before but do you have a system? Do you love/hate lists too? Do you like the fall as much as I do and naturally just contemplate yourself and your direction at this time? Do you have fear of success like me?
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5 Comments
My name is Shannon and I am a list maker. I started doing it when I was working and had so many things to accomplish in a day/week/month that if I didn’t list, I’d miss something important like Monthend Close. And when I retired I carried that habit home with me. If I don’t list what I need to do then my ADD side takes over: Oh I should do wash. Look at that magazine that just came in. Dinner tonight…hmmm.
I still have the monthly/weekly/daily lists I made when prepping for the son’s wedding rehearsal dinner for 80 that was held in our backyard. They remind me how important the list habit is when I have what seems to be an insurmountable amount of stuff to get done in (what feels like) an infinitesimal amount of time. I’ve tried planners but they just don’t work for me…I get caught up in the Make It Look Nice thing. Just note paper and/or Post It notes. Works for me and that’s what counts!
I used to be a devote list maker. I’m a Virgo therefore I list. And I still do but it’s the system of taking all of my cyclone of thoughts and organizing them into goals and lists but mostly scheduling them where I’m doing a lame job. A rehearsal dinner in your backyard for 80 is no small feat and should not be attempted without a list or three. And delegation. Thank you for thinking of me.
Oh the lists! And the diaries and journals. They do have a habit of piling up, don’t they?! But I thrive on lists. Making one as I catch up on email and your posts! Organizational nuts like myself can’t live without them.
I used to be a devote list maker. I’m a Virgo therefore I list. And I still do but it’s the system of taking all of my cyclone of thoughts and organizing them into goals and lists but mostly scheduling them where I’m doing a lame job. A rehearsal dinner in your backyard for 80 is no small feat and should not be attempted without a list or three. And delegation. Thank you for thinking of me.
I’m a list maker who lost her way Jennifer. When I realized I valued myself more for what I was and wasn’t getting done than who I am, I pulled back. Now I feel the need to try it again in a less compulsive value laden fashion. Like I had to kick a habit to recreate it. Thank you for putting reading my blog on your list!
Love,
Shalagh