I’ve had a few days of achieving very little. At least that’s how I felt this morning. I am still struggling with my focus, being even more easily distracted than usual I drift between activities rarely completing anything… I realised I need lists!
Phil just doesn’t get it, being someone who processes his thoughts internally, he doesn’t see the value of getting it out of your head and down on paper, I on the other hand, do. Needless to say, when I announced this morning that I was going to do a list I was greeted with raised eyebrows and rolled eyeballs!
The best thing about a list (other than prioritisation, organisation, structure, reward…) is the sense of achievement that I get just from writing the list ?
Since my energy levels got low I have had to adapt my list-writing style. Where in the past I would make quick, quite high level lists, I have started to break down the items into their smaller component parts. There are two reasons for this; the first is to help keep focus and planning by seeing the process steps and the second; to make ‘one’ item seem more of an achievement. This may seem silly but ticking off 7 items from a list of 21 is so much more satisfying than just 1 from a list of 3. I have even been known to add to my list with things I’ve done that weren’t on the list to give me an even bigger sense of achievement! It’s really important for me to feel as if I’m achieving something to keep my mood up and this definitely works for me. And even if he rolls his eyes, I know that Phil is secretly pleased that I’m doing it because he knows it helps me and that it will stop me ‘thinking out loud’ for at least a little while!
I read an article today on ways to increase your dopamine levels to feel more content. One of them was ‘write a list’! ( full article) they also listed ‘make something’. It’s no wonder I’m such a happy person… So many of the things I love to do contribute to the release of natural happy pills!
What did you do today to make you happy?
Talk to you soon
Lots of love Mand xxx
Great to see that you’ve back making lists and feeling productive! I literally just made one before logging on to read your blog! ? Wouldn’t function without them! Yesterday I registered a domain name for my future business(es hopefully…)
Hope you have a lovely day today full of happiness and a sense of achievement!
xxx
I am typing this while watching the birds in the garden. There have been seven long tail tits on a fat square and a little wren rummaging under the feeders as well as all the other birds we see most days. We get great enjoyment from watching them all.
We are feeling very content having had a bowl of home made soup for lunch. Somehow it’s much more satisfying to have home made soup at this time of year rather than opening a tin!
Reading your blog always give me a toastie glow and knowing you are coping well at the moment releases lots of natural happy pills. Love you xxx
Having just read your blog both mouse and I have said how happy you sound?. Along with you I cannot live without writing a list and you are right there is nothing more satisfying than crossing off when acheived.
Have a great day both of you. Bet youhad a fantastic fenland sun rise this morning love Karen and ?.
I LOVE lists! I am a firm believer in them, and also in adding to them things that weren’t on them but that you have done! I haven’t done much – some of our living room ceiling fell in last night following a leak so been cleaning up! Also bought some new boots!… Lots of love xxx
How “continual improvement” of you! 😉 xxxx
Just catching up a week later and so pleased to read this post! You probably don’t remember the Frog and Toad stories by Arnold Lobel, but I think it’s Frog who’s into making lists, and the last item is ‘Make a List’, so straight away there’s something to tick off! I have a special book in which I’ve kept lists since 1985: how sad is that? (Actually it’s very interesting in a weird sort of way!)
Keep writing them, Mandy! With love and best wishes from T&P
I am a big list writer! I have work lists as well as personal lists (I love Thain’s idea of keeping them, although, not sure if Dave would approve of more clutter!!) I also will write on the list something that has already been accomplished so that I can cross it off!
I woke up this morning to the sounds of the birds chirping from outside our window (I have a little bird feeder there) read for a little bit before getting up and then had an acupuncture appointment! I’m in my happy place and ready to face the day with a smile! Love you and your happy face XXX