There is nothing special about this date but I just realized the year is two-thirds over and I still haven’t done some of my 2019 New Year’s resolutions. I did a lot this year and am proud of it so I am not beating myself up too much, but I need to work out a way to get all of what I ought to do, done.
I have a “To Do” list where I have hundreds of entries. No matter how hard I try I don’t seem to get anything done except what I must do for that day or week. [I am not talking about client matters which must get done as promised – that is my job]. And many of that week’s MITs (Most Important Things) that I do take precedence over my ought to do items that aren’t or just don’t seem urgent. When I set long term goals, I do so with a serious attitude of what I want to accomplish. Long term goals take precedence with investing methods, asset allocation plans and other financial planning activities which I am good at. If I decide I want to exercise more and develop the resolve to go to the gym three times a week, I can do that also – I just work out a routine and go – it isn’t even a chore anymore. Losing weight, or not gaining any more seems harder, but with it on my mind, I sometimes do not take that extra bite or pass on the chocolate bar in the middle of the afternoon.
But when it comes to personal accomplishments such as writing more business books or a nonbusiness book, learning something new without taking a course, preparing a new first day cover exhibit, taking golf lessons or myriad other things, it seems that without a set time and place or some sort of urgency, it remains on my to-do list, or rather my ought-to-do list. That list is a convenient devise because as each item is entered, it drops off my mind and I no longer need to dwell on it or even think about it. So the list declutters my brain. I once spoke to a psychiatrist that said the act of putting something on a list for some people provides the same mental gratification as doing it. Since then I eagerly added tasks to my to-do list.
I still haven’t worked out how to get my ought-to-do items, my New Year’s resolutions, elevated to a MIT, but meanwhile, I do get a lot done, so I can’t complain. If you have any suggestions or a method that works, please let me know.
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