5 in 1 or 1 in 5 – You Choose!
It’s hard to believe, but here we are - coming into the final stretch for 2023. And we’re all either checking lists or making them. They may be about our goals, holiday gifts, or menus and their resulting shopping lists. But we will all be in list mode for the next few weeks.
What I find, though, is that the list itself can become a point of stress at times. Especially when it seems that what matters to you will never make it to your “FINISHED” list. We all seem to have those things that just keep getting pushed back or over or wherever it goes when life demands its way with our day.
I recently came across a meme in my Facebook feed that said this: “I’m really into writing short fiction, mainly to-do lists!” (Credit to @IAmEmmaWillmann)
That seems to sum up the dilemma well!
We all experience this, and it is perhaps the single most crucial issue when we think about life balance or what I call life harmony.
Life harmony is a more realistic expression because the key is not to prescribe each moment but to feel free to partake in each moment meaningfully.
When distracted and pulled in every direction, the moments we miss matter. Those are the pings of regret we often feel whether at the end of a life or a day.
It is, however, a more straightforward challenge to take on than you might think. By breaking this down into some tried and true actions and deciding how you will integrate them into your calendar, you can regain a sense of satisfaction in your life and how you live it each day.
The key is to begin with small things. Items you can handle preferably in less than an hour and, or even better, assign to others. Remember that progress is not just about doing the thing. It’s about getting it done. So, let’s break it down.
Here are five potential spots to begin. You can choose to do all five in a single day or one each day over the next five days. That part is up to you. Just remember that this is not a once-and-done practice. Keep the practice going for the next 30 days and see a dramatic change in how you feel about yourself and your impact on the world. You will begin to find a rhythm that will create its own momentum.
Find one thing you are tolerating and address it. Something that, by now, you may think you are looking past, but I promise you that is not the case. Perhaps it’s something missing or doesn’t work – the best place to start on this one is your environment. Just identify one thing. Stop tolerating it and fix it. Make the change yourself or get someone else to help. But get it done.
Name one thing you are procrastinating about and address it. Yes, this is different. You know you need to do this but keep putting it off. Usually, this is a personal appointment or some kind of maintenance item. Is your annual check-up now going on year two? Make the appointment.
Call one person you feel you have been neglecting. You know the one. That person you think about in the middle of a meeting (or night) and promise yourself you will call them and check on them, but you never do. Own it and call them. If there are too many names on this list, you know this is where you must focus most over the next 30 days. Holidays are great for this, and relationships need nurturing.
Let go of something. What are you hanging on to? This can be an emotion, a grudge, or a physical object. Where (or what) do you need to let go? Quite often, if we start with the physical (cleaning out a drawer), it leads us inward to where the real letting go can happen.
Begin one new positive habit. There it is! We will do this with the now open space in our thoughts and energy. The best place to begin here is where you are the least satisfied with your life. If it’s your health, take on a SMALL but positive new habit about that. If it’s financial, determine one new habit that will make a difference for you over time. If it’s spiritual, begin a daily practice that feeds your soul. Another idea is to start expressing gratitude daily. Just introduce something that is positive and has a repetitive action associated with it into your day.
5 in 1 or 1 in 5. You choose. Your first choice? To begin. Choose to take the reins of the day and claim the baton as director for your life.
Live (choose) today like you want tomorrow to be. Live (choose) well!
