Do you look at your “to do” list with dread? Do you wake up in the morning with your mind whirling with “I have to” and “I should?”
What if this frustrating and overwhelming state of mind was gone? What if you could wake up every morning free of obligation and dread? What if you tackled your “to do” list because you wanted to?
The truth is you can! Why, you ask? Because ultimately we have choice over what we do and how we spend out time.
What are some projects or tasks that you feel you have to or should do? Examples might be:
1. I have to lose weight.
2. I should do the dishes.
3. I must read the paper.
Try spending a day listening for each time you say “I have to” and “I should.” Don’t beat yourself up when you hear this –just listen with the curiosity of a child hearing these words for the first time. If you can, keep a log of the times and tasks that prompt the have to’s, shoulds and musts of your life.
Next, ask yourself if you really have to, must or should do a particular activity or task. Ask yourself – Is this really true?
Then replace “I have to”, “I must” or “I should” with any of the following phrases:
o It is important to me to…
o I choose to…
o I could…
When I changed the heading on my “to do” list to “It is important to me to…” a third of the tasks came off my list. Baffled, I began reevaluating all the things I thought I had to do. I realized many of my tasks, both personal and professional, were sitting there nagging me out of obligation. The truth was those obligatory tasks were the things that were not going to produce an outcome that was important to me. One example was “run on treadmill”. The truth is I hate to do that. I am now selling the treadmill for $300 and extra gaining room on my deck that I love.
Did you notice that certain things you thought you had to do became less important? Did you feel empowered by the choice rather than the feeling of obligation? Or did you find more pleasure in the projects or tasks that are on your “to-do” list? You may have even felt something physical change; such as a feeling of more energy, lightness, and confidence.
Sometimes the language we use makes us feel as if we have no power to choose what our day or our life will be like.
The reality is that’s not true. Through these small steps of shifting your perspective and your language, you can really get clear on who’s in charge of your life and the time you have – you are!
Tags: cleaning, clear clutter, clutter, feng shui, gifts, hoarders, hoarding, organization, organizer, organizing, procrastination, professional organizer, professional organizing
