The unexpected way I found more JOY in my to-do-list

Being organized, structured and disciplined is part of my DNA. It makes me feel at peace. This means I’ve also become a master of the to-do-list, never missing a deadline, and having processes in place that allow for my business and personal life to run like a well-oiled machine.

As I’m sure you have found as well though, when the work week ends and the weekend begins, the list of ‘to-dos’ however doesn’t seem to stop. Running errands, doing the laundry, buying groceries, cooking for the week, tidying up the house, and, and, and. The great thing about those lists are that they help us to not forget anything, but I’ve realized that while being productive, intentional, and focused is so needed at work, I’m more than ever craving freedom from structure on my days off.

No, we can’t rip those lists apart as many of our to-dos can’t be ignored, but I’ve found a way to reframe how I view these tasks and immediate saw a positive change in my mood and a greater sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.

I’ve included my heart in the decision-making process.

Instead of sorting my chores and checking them off in the order that makes most logical sense, I add a different lens. At the start of the day, and after completing any given task on that list, I ask myself “which of the various options on this menu would bring me the most joy. Instead of perceiving everything as a ‘must do’, each task becomes one of many choices that can enhance the next moments. In this assessment I not only include the things that are written on the list but I pause and listen to my intuition, giving me space to recognize if there are other possibilities that would make me even happier in that moment. Before you know it, you find yourself reading another chapter of the book you haven’t picked up in weeks, sitting in the sun for a 15-minute recharge, or running an errand that wasn’t even on the to do list but now seems more energizing than the others.

But hold on, how do I make any progress on the things that need to get done you might ask. First let’s be honest and admit that the lists never end. Before we would check the last thing off, we will have added three new to-dos. You are right, I may not get everything done that day but for one, I’ve realized that eventually most things get checked off, either a day later, or a week later. And sometimes things turn out not to be that important after all and therefor end up falling off the list altogether. However more importantly I find myself looking back at the end of the day feeling accomplished, fulfilled and yes, happy!

Having a day fully planned out doesn’t allow for your intuition to be heard. You solely base your decision-making process on logic and ‘what has to get done’…argh! Including my hearts and what it craves in that very moment of making a decision has changes my mindset from the draining feeling of ‘I have to do this’ to getting excited about what I choose to do next.

Do you have your doubts? The only way to know if it’ll make you a happier person is to try it out! Why not try it this weekend? Your future self will thank you for giving this different approach a shot.

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