Can't Keep Up? Five Surprising Ways to Simplify Your To Do list

Do you ever feel like your to do list is longer than the hours in a day? Have you ever ended a day staring at your to do list wondering why nothing got accomplished?

Me too!

I have found that when I am feeling like a gerbil on a wheel, it is because I thought I was too busy to take care of me.  Surprisingly enough, when I incorporate my magic five into my day, things seem to just get done.

1. Exercise
      It has been proven that successful people exercise each and everyday. No. You do not have to become a marathon runner or create rock solid abs. You do have to make a commitment to move your body each and everyday.

2. You count
      Be kind to yourself.  It doesn't have to be extravagant.  In her book The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron states"If you do one nice thing a day for yourself, God will do two more."

3. Daily Spiritual Practice
     Having a daily spiritual practice connects you to your divine self.  It doesn't have to be a religious affair. It could be as simple as taking a few minutes first thing in the morning being grateful for a new day.   Connecting to our source reminds us that we are never alone.

4. Take breaks
     During the day take time to appreciate what is going on in front of you or even take a few moments to breathe. Set an alarm on your phone and when it goes off  just close your eyes and breathe.

5.One thing.
   What ever it is you are doing stay there and do it; Bring all of you to the task at hand. Whether you  are washing dishes or meeting with a client, be totally present.

This list of five adds you to your day. You are so much more important than the tasks you need to complete.  We live in an abundant universe and there is plenty of time to get everything done but we have to bring our beautiful selves to the process.

Tuesday's Tips

Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week
                                                                  Spanish Proverb


One hour ago I sat down to write this blog on procrastination.
I decided to have a snack first.
Then the dog needed to go out.
Then the  dog needed me to play a few rounds of catch.
Then the laundry needed to be folded.
Then the dishes needed to be put away.
Then I noticed the pile of mail to go out.
Then I thought of chopping some ice.
Then I laughed and came back to my office and just began.

We all procrastinate, oftentimes unconsciously.  Here are a few of my own strategies to keep that pesky procrastination at bay.

1.Recognize it. Be nice to yourself. Start again.
      I am aware that I tend to procrastinate, so I try to recognize it. It takes some detective work. All of those things I did instead of starting this blog were things that had to be done.Procrastination can look like work. It just isn't the work you intended to do.
When I see myself procrastinating, I laugh it off and start again. I don't beat myself up over it.

2. Start small.
       When I went back to my office, I told myself I was going to organize my notes I wrote yesterday in preparation for the blog. I am pretty sure that had I started with the intention of reviewing my notes, the desire to have a snack would never have occurred to me.

3. Set a timer. Reward yourself.
           A few years back, I took a few online graduate courses. I hadn't taken a graduate course in 15 years and I struggled with the APA formatting. That struggle lead to some serious procrastination.   To conquer the procrastination, I set a timer for 30 minutes and gave all of my attention to my coursework. When the timer went off I would reward myself. Then I would go back and do it all over again.

4. Let go of the outcome.
           Most procrastination is about perfectionism. No matter how many articles, blog posts, or courses I have written, the gremlin still invades. The gremlin is that voice in my head proclaiming, "That is horrible writing."
" Everybody will hate it."
 "This really sucks."
 In response to the gremlin, I remind myself that perfection is unattainable and what others think is none of my business.

5. Set a specific schedule.
            I  love to exercise. I just don't like to start. Thus, I made the habit to exercise every morning after my children get on the bus. It is nonegotiable and has made the starting so much easier.

6. Change your scenery.
 I like to go to the public library to get serious writing done. At the library there are no dishes, no laundry and no dog to distract me. Also sometimes a change of scenery means to get outside for fresh air. Of course, you have to come back. Use a timer.

Good luck and here's to making tomorrow the least busiest day of the week.

Blessings,
Virginia