I just looked at my to-do list in Microsoft OneNote*, and it’s ridiculous.
Ridiculous because I’m already putting so much strain on myself over things which, in the grand scheme of life, can be spaced out without feeling the need to accomplish them all in one sitting.
Twenty-five tasks that need to somehow be miraculously completed before this Monday (April 11) because each week comes with a fresh list of tasks highlighted in red and cyan and yellow, indicating their pecking order.
Oh, and the verbs that start each task – “Call…, Upload…, Buy…., Contact…, Work on…, Follow-up…, Finish…, Send…”
Life has to be more than constantly battling to-do items with ninja kicks and keeping procrastination at bay, all the while filtering items that keep coming in.
Since my new year’s focus word post on growth, a lot of mung beans have sprouted in so many ways that this “seemingly ridiculous” to-do list has caused me to just stop and take it all in with full gratitude.
In the coming days, I’ll be posting a “latest news & shout-outs” piece including another photography gig, writing assignments, as well as possible part-time/contract consulting work.
As for one particular task highlighted in cyan with bolded bright red text – a horrendous color combination which happens to be my visual alarm clock – I’m planning a full face-lift of this site.
I’ve had the same interface, more or less, for the last four years.
While the color scheme will stay, think larger format photographs (800px or larger), cleaner presentation of writing clips and photography, a better distinction between the blog and the portfolio, and more short travel narratives which are still sitting offline in journals and bullet lists that I so desperately want to share.
My cyan-red task above would have to wait for now.
Tomorrow, I’m hitting the road with my husband on a 12-14 hour (each way) trip back up to Northern Sweden to spend the week with family which always trump to-do lists the way rock beats scissors every time.
*Microsoft Office OneNote – A solid organizational tool which I wasn’t paid to plug.
@Kirk – I does feel that way, doesn’t it?! – when one completes an item, two more replace it. The drive definitely made me start thinking deeper about what actually needs to be on the list in the first place.
Yeah same for me too it seems like the list just keeps growing and growing. For every 1 that I complete 2 more replace it. 12 hours each way is a long trip I guess it makes for a great time to think and catch up.
@Amanda – He’s already one?? How time flies! When that to-do list threatens to engulf you, remember you’re not alone, and more importantly, just take a long look at your son.
@Carlo – Thanks
@Ekua – Turquoise and red only works in traditional African outfits 🙂
@Sandra – Thanks and let’s fika soon.
I can also relate to the ridiculous to-do list! Now just go and enjoy the trip.
I happen to love a combo of turquoise and red 😛
Looking forward to your blog redesign and your narratives!
Hehe. Love the ending!
I use “Remember the Milk” instead of OneNote but apart from that, I could have written this post too! I just sat down to try and re-prioritise my to-do list so that I can actually feel like I’m accomplishing things rather than just reducing the number of overdue tasks down to below 20 or 30!! I’ve never quite adjusted to how little time I actually have now that my little boy is here (and he’s just turned one so I really should have figured it out by now!). But anyway it’s nice to feel a little less alone in ridicluous to-do lists, so thank you 🙂 and enjoy Northern Sweden.