Creating Habits

Here is a great reason to use a list: lists help us create those habits that we truly want in our lives. They are not task masters over us, but they guide our choices and actions, step-by-step every day, to get to the goal and accomplishment we truly desire. 

Most people have habits put in place that they truly do not need reminders for: praying or meditation or making their bed. Perhaps yours is always putting the food away after every meal or starting the dishwasher after you fill it. We are all great at some of the routine tasks and habits that we do. 

However, what about when your routine and habit get thrown "out of wack"? What about that time the baby kept you up, literally, all night long? Or you suddenly found yourself at the emergency room? Or you went on vacation? Or even when your neighbor calls and you suddenly need to help to watch her children or make her dinner? 

These are all just things that happen. But we can feel very "off" for even several days, depending on what threw us, and that is when habits and routines go out the window. Then, even though it was a habit, you now have to think through the process all over again and try to remember what it is that you did before you got sidetracked and try to start again. 

This is why I put even the smallest tasks on my list. If it is something I hope to do throughout my day, it is written down. I am really good about making my bed, and perhaps my task list is "cluttered" with that one extra task that I'm already really good at, but I like it there. Most "normal" days I can just delete that task and move on because I have already made my bed. But I am also reminded that making my bed is important to me when it is a little task on my list. (Plus, when you go on vacation, it's fun to check off "make bed" when you're staying in a hotel! Don't even have to think about that chore - it's done for you!)

This text from a friend explains this idea perfectly: 
"I just had a chance to sit down for the first time today and my thought was "did I pray this morning?" not that I couldn't pray again... But I couldn't remember if through my busy morning I had remembered to stop and do that. Checked my to do list... Yep, I prayed. Phew. It made me think of you!"

Her text made me so happy because I knew exactly what she was talking about. When things are cluttered and busy and different from the "norm", it's so nice to have a list that just tells me where to pick up from and I am not left reinventing the wheel every time.