“Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.” — William James
You know the deal. There’s that thing — that one thing (maybe two, or three) — that you just never get done.
You want to get to it.
You should get to it.
You need to get to it.
Surely you think about it often enough. But there it is, week after week, loitering on the To Do list.
If you’re like me, you keeping putting it back on the list each week and promise yourself: I will do that this week. But you say that every week — with just as much conviction as last time.
If you’re like me, and William James apparently, this is “fatiguing.” Which is why I thought I’d post this challenge.
There’s power in numbers, right? And if we’re all working at checking off that ONE THING, maybe we can get enough collective karma going to check off a whole bunch of one things!
The Grab the Bull by the Horns Challenge
Right now, write down one (maybe two, or three) things that have been haunting your To Do list. Then commit to getting it done today or this week, or right now.
Maybe the very act of stating our intentions will imbue us all with conviction to get some of these things accomplished — finally!
Share here (in the comment field) if you want encouragement, or kudos, or the camaraderie of knowing we’re all in this together!
So, here are my four things. I’m overachieving, I know, but one of these has been on my To Do list for at least two years, so I have some catching up to do!
1. Make a doctor’s appointment.
2. Call an old friend.
3. Sign up for a yoga class.
4. Make a decision and make the phone call.
And you? What will you DO today?
• • •
Ésta Es La Mano, Ésta Es El Toro, mixed media collage + poem, ©2011 by Jen Payne
sorry, i don’t quite understand number four, unless it pertains to 1, 2 or 3…?
aside from that, i hope you are able to accomplish great things this week!
Right – number 4 is that I need to make a decision on something and then pick up the phone and do it. Just more of the things I sit with for too long…
clear out the junk on the enclosed front porch. Has been on my list for one year or more and it is a mess!!!
OK – so, looks like you have your project! Good luck!
1) Finish my query letter
2) Indulge in a peanut butter cookie
3) Watch the rest of The Office – Season 7
:-)
Awesome!! And you’re nice to yourself in the process – peanut butter cookie, you!
James puts it perfectly. Now to remedy the fatigue of long lists, I’ve started listing just 2-3 things to do the next day, chipping away at a list that dates back a few years! Today: eye doctor, car to the shop, catch up on cool blogs (check!).
Excellent idea! I should add that to my list: make shorter lists. : )
Fabulous post, idea —
and execution??????
I’m in — even if it’s a whole lot later than everyone else.
Just getting one of those pesky things on the list done would be a big fat PLUS.
Fatiguing? Not nearly a strong enough word!
P.S. Your collage here is fantastic.
I though the idea might be incentive for folks. As for execution – I was waylaid by a pretty nasty cold this week that sapped up most of my energy. So, I’m taking a “redo” on this coming week’s Monday and hoping to post results soon! So…it’s not too late at all, and I am glad for the company!