To Do List
I recently heard an interesting interview with author Gretchen Rubin. She's an author who has done research into personality types and habits. In part of the interview she talked about how different personalities require different motivations. If you're an upholder you'll do what people ask and you do for yourself too. If you're a questioner you may or may not follow through, depending on whether the task makes sense to you. The rebel "flouts from inside and outside." (Although I am certainly not a rebel I am familiar with that personality type.) Then there's the obliger. Me. Over here in this corner. I don't do much for myself, but if you expect me to do something, I'll do it. God forbid I let anyone down. Ever. Even if it's inconvenient or uncomfortable for me.
And that right there is the reason I'm in such a rut. My work life is just fine thank you because I have a manager and colleagues who need me to get things done. Home is a different story. Yes, I do the big things. Kids get fed and sometimes bathed. Laundry is sufficiently laundered. But that is because my family needs it. My other to do list is a different story. It is chockablock with projects and tasks and reminders that matter only to me. And guess what? No one but me cares if they get done. So they don't.
After hearing Rubin's interview I realized the only motivation I need for my personal to do list is to make myself accountable to someone else. All I have to do is tell someone, usually Bryon, what I'm going to accomplish that day. The secret to my success? The only thing that conquers my laziness is the possibility of disappointing someone.
I suppose I should also rethink some of the items on my to do list. I shouldn't expect that in one week I can repaint a room, clean out the garage and re-landscape the yard. Maybe cleaning out my closet is more attainable.
Maybe if my to do lists were more like Abby's I could actually check some things off. This was her to do list yesterday, all of which she marked off last night:
1. Sew Melody together. (A stuffed animal who split at the seam.)
2. Go to concert. (She and I went to an outdoor concert last evening.)
3. Find notebook. (Which obviously she did because she is using it for her to do list.)
At the top she wrote a 100 and circled it. She passed yesterday's test.
Her list for today:
1. Feed Chuck Norris.
2. Help Mom clean up.
3. Clean Chuck's cage.
4. Hug mom and dad before going to school.
5. Put batteries in the laser.
6. Make my bed.
7. Sing a song.
Granted, I'll do 3 or 4 of these for her. But her list is much more doable, not to mention fun, than mine.
That can be the newest item on my to do list. Re-do my to do list.
And that right there is the reason I'm in such a rut. My work life is just fine thank you because I have a manager and colleagues who need me to get things done. Home is a different story. Yes, I do the big things. Kids get fed and sometimes bathed. Laundry is sufficiently laundered. But that is because my family needs it. My other to do list is a different story. It is chockablock with projects and tasks and reminders that matter only to me. And guess what? No one but me cares if they get done. So they don't.
After hearing Rubin's interview I realized the only motivation I need for my personal to do list is to make myself accountable to someone else. All I have to do is tell someone, usually Bryon, what I'm going to accomplish that day. The secret to my success? The only thing that conquers my laziness is the possibility of disappointing someone.
I suppose I should also rethink some of the items on my to do list. I shouldn't expect that in one week I can repaint a room, clean out the garage and re-landscape the yard. Maybe cleaning out my closet is more attainable.
Maybe if my to do lists were more like Abby's I could actually check some things off. This was her to do list yesterday, all of which she marked off last night:
1. Sew Melody together. (A stuffed animal who split at the seam.)
2. Go to concert. (She and I went to an outdoor concert last evening.)
3. Find notebook. (Which obviously she did because she is using it for her to do list.)
At the top she wrote a 100 and circled it. She passed yesterday's test.
Her list for today:
1. Feed Chuck Norris.
2. Help Mom clean up.
3. Clean Chuck's cage.
4. Hug mom and dad before going to school.
5. Put batteries in the laser.
6. Make my bed.
7. Sing a song.
Granted, I'll do 3 or 4 of these for her. But her list is much more doable, not to mention fun, than mine.
That can be the newest item on my to do list. Re-do my to do list.
posted by Romine Family at 9:35 AM
