WHAT'S ON YOUR LIST?

Are you living your life on auto-pilot? Drifting through each day without giving it much

thought? Watching TV, scrolling social media, flipping through a magazine? If this is

truly how you want to spend your days, go for it! There’s nothing wrong with drifting. It’s

relaxing!

But if you prefer a day that challenges you, consider taking a page from Annie’s book.

Every morning Annie makes a great cup of coffee (she’s experimenting with using a

French Press instead of her stand-by drip coffee maker). Cup in hand, she settles into

her comfy recliner, places her notebook and pen on her lap, closes her eyes and asks

herself:

•  What do I want to accomplish today?

•  Am I doing truly what I want to be doing?

•  What would make my day more enjoyable? More meaningful?

•  What experiences do I want to have that haven’t yet occurred?

•  How can I put at least one of those experiences into motion?

Annie carefully ponders each question while she enjoys her cup of French Press. She

doesn’t rush. Then she jots her answers in her notebook. As she goes about her day,

she keeps her notebook close by so she doesn’t forget what she intends to do.

Her list may include cutting the grass and doing a load of laundry. But it may also

include:

•  Making a healthy pasta sauce she’s been eager to try

•  Finding out exactly where the Strait of Hormuz is located

•  Planning a road trip for later this month

•  Investigating the cost of a month in a warmer climate next winter

  
  

Her list doesn’t include watching The Today Show and Jeopardy, scrolling Facebook,

doing the Wordle, and texting her neighbor. If there’s time for that, great! But those

things are not priority; they likely wouldn’t add meaning to her day.

At the end of the day, head on pillow, Annie spends a few minutes in reflection. Did she

accomplish everything on her list? Did she set the stage for a new adventure? What will

she do tomorrow?

What’s on your list?