What To Do When Your To-Do List Is Always Growing

Question for you:

How many times a day do you think of something you need to do?

From a new task that comes out of a meeting or seeing an email that reminds you of something you forgot, to noticing that the toilet paper supply is getting low or that you really need to sort through that pile of unmatched socks, that number's probably... what? 25? 50? More??

It's no wonder our to-do lists grow faster than we can take action.

I have days where I swear, all I do is add, add, add without a minute to ACTUALLY DO the things that were already on the list, let alone what I just added.

It's frustrating.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed.
And you may just want to throw your hands up.

I mean why even try?

In all seriousness, why do you try?

Because as much as you tell yourself that these things have to get done, that you have no choice but to do them, the reality is you'd rather do them than face the consequences.

Think about it.

• You don't have to do that follow-up task from the meeting. You choose to because you don't want to sabotage the project or worse, lose your job.

• You don't have to buy more toilet paper. You choose to because you don't want to think about what you'd have to resort to if you did run out.

• You don't have to sort through that pile of unmatched socks. You choose to because it'll save you from buying more socks when you actually have enough, they're just in different places.

It's a very subtle change - the change from have to to choose to, but it feels totally different.

It takes you out of being the victim of your overwhelming to-do list and puts you in the more empowering position of choosing.

And every new task that you think of and then add to your to-do list is just another opportunity for you to practice choosing.

Choosing what's necessary.
Choosing what's a priority.
Choosing the outcome that you want.

I want to challenge you to pay attention. How many times do you tell yourself you "have to" do something?

Is that true? Or are you choosing to do it because you care less for the alternative?

If you want to see how I manage my to-do list in a way that doesn't create extra stress, download my Stress Less Method for a behind-the-scenes look.