|
Amy L. Burns, CLCFilled with interesting and inspiring |
Coaching LinksFAQ Services Biography Testimonials Professional Guidelines Resources ContactCategoriesArticles Exercises Fun Stuff Other QuotesRecent PostsAcceptance in Relationships Handmade Affirmation and Meditation Card Decks I Promise Myself Creativity - Power Thought Card Creativity - May Tele-Gathering The Enlightenment Card Over 99 Balloons Conversations with God Permission I give myself permission to Be
ArchivesJanuary 2004February 2004March 2004April 2004May 2004July 2004September 2004November 2004December 2004April 2005May 2005June 2005July 2005November 2005December 2005January 2006February 2006March 2006April 2006May 2006July 2006August 2006October 2006November 2006January 2007February 2007March 2007April 2007May 2007June 2007August 2007December 2007
|
Thursday, August 16, 2007Managing Our To Do ListsOften we can become overwhelmed with the amount of things we think we need to accomplish in a day, a week, or a lifetime. Small tasks or big goals and dreams can take over our lives resulting in never ending To Do Lists. While there are many ways to go about completing these tasks, and systems to organize them for more efficiency and productivity, I’d like to offer you something better – a new way of perceiving and experiencing your To Do List.What I’ve noticed is that often there are things on our To Do List that don’t really belong to us, aren’t our responsibility, or aren’t even in the realm of our own control. These things are “shoulds” we’ve adopted from our parents, teachers, friends, religious / spiritual groups, society, and even things we’ve decided we “should” do/be/have/want for one reason or another. They are responsibilities that we take on which don’t belong to us – perhaps they are responsibilities belonging to another person (family member, housemate, friend, employee, etc.) or organization (government, activist group, etc.). Regardless of the source, these things are often out of our own control and we use a lot of our energy trying to control them in various ways – none of which create the result we desire, or lend themselves to a life of ease and joy. When something is out of my own control, I say it belongs to the Universe. It is the Universe’s responsibility or role to make it happen or to make sure it happens, not mine. Some people call this surrendering to God or Source. Part of what allows the Universe to create what we want is when we are very clear about what we want, and we commit to being/having it (this requires belief and trust that it is already ours). When we commit to an result (usually experience or specific goal), and this result is in alignment with our highest good, our true selves, and/or our right path, the Universe moves to make those things become reality. We don’t have to worry about the how, that’s the Universe’s role. Our role is simply to know what we want, commit to it, trust and believe it is ours now, and act only on guidance. One way to gain clarity about how much of the stuff on our To Do List actually belongs to us, and what belongs to the Universe is through the following process. THE PROCESS Separate a sheet of paper into three columns by drawing two lines from top to bottom. In the middle column, write your To Do List – all the things you can do today to create what you want for yourself. In the far left column, write the Universe’s To Do List – all the things you can’t control that you would like the Universe to take care of for you. Leave the far right column blank for now. As you consider the things on your To Do List, also consider the following questions: * How does this fit within the larger vision of what I want? * What is my role? * What are my responsibilities? * What belongs to me and what belongs to the Universe/Source/God? * Is there anything on my list that isn’t mine? * If so, can I release it or give it to the Universe to take care of? * What parts do I want to be responsible for? What part do I love to do? * What parts would I love to allow the Universe to be responsible for? Now, feel free to shift anything from your To Do List over to the Universe's To Do List. The far right column is your To Be List. Write what/who you want to be as you consider each item on your To Do List. You can use the following questions to guide you. * What qualities do I want to embody as I complete this task? * Who/what do I want to Be as I complete this task? * Who/what do I need to Be in order to do this task? The most important part here is not only to Be who/what you want to be while doing your tasks, but also celebrate each item you check off your list. Celebrate when the Universe accomplishes something for you, too. VARIATIONS You can create any number of variations to this process to make it work for you – there is no wrong way to do it – all ways are right. You can focus on To Do Lists for categories, using one sheet to include some or all of the categories below, or using a separate sheet for each category – whichever works best for you. Feel free to create your own categories and category “definitions.” Finances - Your relationship with (giving & receiving) money, abundance Physical Well-Being - Your body, health, sense of physical safety Primary Relationship - Your being/not being in a primary relationship Relationships - Satisfaction with family, friends, associates Personal Development - Your process of growth and self-discovery Physical Surroundings - Where you spend time - home, office, car Rest & Relaxation - Time for regeneration, enjoyment, leisure Profession - Giving and expressing your unique gifts and talents I keep a 2.5 x 4.5 inch notepad with me most of the time. The first page is the Universe’s To Do List. Page two is usually my long-term To Do List, which I update monthly or quarterly depending on how messy it gets. Page three is usually my list for this week / today. I tend to use part of my To Do List page as my To Be List, or write who/what I want/need to Be next to each item. # posted by Amy L. Burns @ 8:53 AM  
|
