HEALING OVERWHELM AND TOO MANY TO-DO’S

We thrive when we feel that have been successful at something. I know I do – I love to feel successful. I thrive when I complete something and it’s a good job. After I complete something I feel really good about what I’ve done and my accomplishment.

When you have a gigantic list of to-do’s that is never ending it’s engaging in self-sabotage. Why? Because it is a set up to be a failure, for as you know it is impossible to do a to-do list the size of Milwaukee.  We’ll never get from one end of Milwaukee to the other end of the state in the allotted time. So why write all of that down to pretend you’ll handle when it won’t happen and the end result will be disappointment in yourself?

Here is my suggestion to alleviate the sabotage and create a feeling of success instead:

-From your vast list of things you want to accomplish - pick three to-do’s only

-Everything else that you may do is a bonus.

-Let yourself win

-Massive to-do’s are a set up you create to feel like a failure

-You thrive on winning

-So let yourself win

-Pick the top three must do’s. Those are today’s to-do’s

-Let the rest go

-If you finish your 3 to-do’s and have ample space in order to accomplish more – then excellent

-If you have done your three items and can’t do more - excellent

-Finishing those three to-do’s means you are a winner. You are triumphant. And you deserve to succeed.

It’s impossible to ask ourselves to accomplish a ton of things and then go after ourselves ruthlessly if we have not finished what we set out to do. I’m not talking about procrastination, I’m talking about those of us who are doing everything to show up for our dreams, and for ourselves, and for other people and for our families, and – end up getting exhausted and not feeling like we got ahead. Instead feeling like we’re not making it.  We need to release ourselves from this punishing standard, and stop being married to any concept that places more importance on doing and meeting everyone’s needs, than on the magnificence of who we are and just being.  Can you feel that? Does that cause you to pause and just breathe? Are you willing to hit the Pause button on the Remote Control of your life and just breathe?

As you can throughout your day realign your focus, values and attention. To relax into the day ~ keep your mind focused on the majestic strangeness of the world. Being present requires letting go of old habits, complaints and hang ups.  Stop insisting that things be done on your punishing schedule.

Take more time to sit, listen to others, refrain from chasing after everything, skip doing things now and then, and be aware of presence.  Lighten up.  

 "Soar, eat ether, see what has never been seen, be lost,

But climb."

-- Poem by Edna St Vincent Millay