What’s on your ‘to-do’ list? 

Many nurses create lists. I know I had a running list of nursing tasks I kept in my lab coat pocket. I’d refer to it all day long and check it off as I worked. One-by-one I happily crossed parts of my nursing assignment off.

This week my ‘list’ was so long (in my business, that is) that I actually took a PTO day at my part-time job. There was just no way that I’d be able to do the nursing work I needed to get done for my organization AND get to all of the things I needed to accomplish in my business.

I’m happy to report most everything (two things haven’t been done yet) was accomplished!

So yesterday afternoon, I guess it was around 1:45 pm or so, I had just gotten off of a call with a friend and colleague, Renee Thompson. Renee was kind enough to share some of her secrets to speaking success and I ended the call with a brand new ‘to-do’ list and a slight feeling of overwhelm.

I sat in front of the computer. An unsettling feeling of ‘what to do now’ washed over me. I compulsively checked all of my email accounts and social media channels, looking for something to distract me. And then I realized. ‘You know what, it’s time for a break. It’s Friday afternoon and you’re not going to start something new now.’

I got up from my chair and started cleaning. Putting up some spring-time lights, hanging a pastel-colored flag and just getting rid of all of the piles of dust and dog hair. The kitchen was totally rearranged and I can now say, ‘Wow. I’m proud of my work!’

So what’s this have to do with nursing and our ‘to-do’ lists?

I’m reminded of what another friend and colleague often told me, ‘Elizabeth, you can’t create things from a stuck, frustrated, forced or disgruntled energy. It will go into your work and people will sense and feel that.’

So this is why after the call with Renee, I just ended my work day.

Yes, my new ‘to-do’ lists are quite long. I do want to strategically map out my upcoming work week. I have a few things that are due that I’ve got to get delivered out to others. I want to create some new pieces of content. There is a lot going on.

And, I’m going to wait until the unsettled energy of overwhelm passes.

I’m taking today to do some things early on for my home. And then this afternoon I will sit down with a fresh slate and a new plan. I’ll feel the energy and flow with it.

I encourage you to think about the same in your own life. As I said at the start of this post, ‘What is on your ‘to-do’ list?’ What are the things you need to get done? What do you want to accomplish?

And even further- how do you feel about these things?

If  you’re feeling overwhelmed, tense, unsure or scared then maybe now isn’t the right time to start. If you’re feeling irritable, forced or unpleasant about the tasks then maybe you’d better think twice.

You always have a choice. 

Set parameters. Create boundaries. Take care of you first and foremost. What on your ‘to-do’ list can you do with joy, gratitude and pride? What do you look forward to putting your energy into? Follow the tasks that serve you well.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Go ahead and leave a comment or question below. Thank you for reading and as always, enjoy your health today!