Last Sunday as I was listening to Music and the Spoken Word I was reminded of something else I want to work on in 2009--finding a balance between the things that I have to do, the things that I should do, and the things that I want to do.
Over the coming months I want to make sure that I make time for cultivating and improving abilities (and responsibilities), my physical health, my relationships, my spirituality, my intellectual prowess (do I still have that?), my emotional well being, my service to others, and any other area that might need refinement.
The challenge lies in the fact that there are a limited number of hours in each day and a limited amount of energy that I can put forward. My "to do" list seems to stay fairly constant because so many things are on-going or repeating. Despite that fact, I still like to make lists and I get great satisfaction when I can cross something off. I've tried the whole electronic tasks or lists, but it isn't the same as physically writing on paper (cute paper and a great pen help) the things I want to accomplish, then being able to cross them off once they are done. Some days, I list things that I've already done (like showering or making my bed) just so I can cross something off the list and have a tangible record that I have accomplished something.
I love the scripture that Lloyd Newell quoted, found in Ecclesiastes 3:1: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." I need to keep reminding myself that there are many worthy and worthwhile pursuits that may not necessarily be part of this wonderful season of life that I am in.
In 2009 I want to make the most of this--my season in life--as a wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend, neighbor, volunteer, and servant of the Lord.
**How do you prioritize to make sure you do the most important things?
**Are you a "to do" list maker?
**Do you love the season of life you find yourself in?
Sometimes at LLL meetings when new moms talk about feeling like they aren't doing anything anymore (mostly because they are doing the important job of caring for a newborn!) we suggest forgetting TO DO lists and switching to TA DA! lists. It helps to make a goal-focused mom feel like she is still functional when she records the fact that she changed 17 million diapers, ate 3 meals, showered, and nursed her baby 8 times.
ReplyDeleteI have been known to stick post-its on the door frame so that I don't forget things...
good luck with that...let me know if you come up with a good solution, cuz I'm forever running out of time to do all the things I need, should, want, love to do. Love the idea of the TA DA list!
ReplyDeleteI probably need to give up FB and limit blogging time...I seemed to have a lot more time before I started those two things :)
Have a great day!