Lists: Assigning My Time & Energy
How do you choose where to spend your limited resources?
It’s a time of year that feels compressed—a few weeks left in the year, the holidays, the commitments, the traditions.
Today is a list.
A list of all the things that I want to accomplish – today. One part of my brain says, “That’s too much.” The other part says, “You can dooooo iiiiiiitttt.”
So, which is true?
Or perhaps the better questions are:
Which are the priorities?
Which are the easiest to tick off the list to get that dopamine hit?
Which ones can I push out to tomorrow or later in the week?
Which ones will make me feel better having accomplished them?
Which ones are for me, and which are for someone else — how do I look at them differently? Do I prioritize others over myself?
Which ones do I always avoid doing? Can I get them out of the way to feel better
Which ones can I chip away at rather than trying to do them all at once, being left with a bigger mess?
Here’s my list:
Write actor bio - send to director
Update resume on casting websites, ensure new photos are updated
Change mammogram appointment
Book haircut
Look for boxes/ containers for a gift at thrift shop
Make a shopping list for Bulk Barn
Shop at Bulk Barn - bring coupon!
Easy run 8.5k
Update workouts on 365 Workout Challenge (Coach Jenny)
Update writing (choose posts) for Substack
Write and edit posts
Call mom…(After deciding what dates I’m are travelling!)
Participate in Reacher’s call
Write cards to friends and family in pain.
Decorate the tree! (Lights are on but nothing else).
Assess Christmas decor — get rid of stuff you don’t want to put out or don’t use!
Write another list of stuff that isn’t on this list.
OMG, do you feel a weight on your chest after reading that? Heart palpitations?
I can see the patterns and groupings, the emotional toil, the joy, the rewards and where the timer will come out to get things done to some bouncy music. There will be things that don’t fit or get pushed out to tomorrow or next week, but it won’t make me ‘disorganized’ or ‘less than.’ It will make me conscious and selective of what’s important and what I can accomplish with the time and energy I have.
I often think of the limited time but forget about my energy. After I do certain activities — there’s a bigger toll, and I need more time to recoup. And I don’t mean the running! That’s a boost, though it takes more time than others.
Augh. Ok, time to get at it.
Thank you, Linda!! As I look over my list and think "Yikes it's already 9 am!" Let's go...
Sending you long distance high fives and smiles.
Thanks @juliebhughes Once again running teaches me pacing. And it works in life too. Not everything is urgent and I can actually get more done in a short amount of time that I first think. I can make a mountain out of simple things. Good luck!