I’ve fallen victim to the toxic productivity movement in the past. I wrote about it a little more in this post about how we need to stop glamorizing overworking in the blogging industry. And I found myself in a funny place between my love for productivity and my need to be more intentional with my time and energy and putting my self care first.
Because yes, toxic productivity is bad. Bad, bad, bad.
But some people are naturally productive. Born organizers. Like to get shit done and get it done now. I am one of those people. And I’ve learned to make it work to my advantage and know where my edge is. So I know the second I feel like I’m going over that edge, I can stop myself and pull myself back.
Productivity and organization is in my blood. Lord knows where I get it from – maybe a great grandmother was the inventor of the ring binder or something – but I love anything to do with not only being more productive but also not putting our wellness and mental health at risk because of it.
Related reads about productivity:
- 7 Things For Your Motivational Toolbox
- 10 Time Management Tips You’ll Thank Me For
- 9 Things To Do At the Start of the Month
I’ve established a handful of routines and changes into my life to create this perfect balance between productivity and down-time. Is it always perfect? No. But I have the tools and I know how to use them.
Most of these hacks are super simple but I want to share one particular one with you today that is SO simple you almost won’t believe it. I’m going to show you why you have to switch up your to-do list NOW.
But I love a to-do list!
I know, me too. That’s why this trick is SUPER SIMPLE. And don’t worry, you still get to have a list! I wouldn’t dream of telling you to scrap to-do lists altogether. Don’t worry, we ain’t going that far.
A to-do list is so beneficial because:
- It boosts productivity
- It stops you forgetting important things
- It allows you to prioritize and categorize
- They give us a structure
And much more. So the benefits of to-do lists are aplenty. But there’s one thing that isn’t beneficial for a to-do list. And that’s the name itself.
A to-do list.
Since I swapped the name of my list, my attitude towards my tasks and my mindset has shifted dramatically. Because a to-do list is a list of stuff we HAVE to do. An endless list of tasks, activities, chores and more that we stick on our to-do list to get them done because we have to. Not because we want to.
But by making this one simple change to your to-do list, you can find your mindset changing with it. And there are two things you can change the name of your to-do litst to:
- A “To Manifest” List
- A “I Get To Do” List
And your choice of which one you use will vary depending on your beliefs. I currently use a “To Manifest” list because this is what aligns with me right now. I’m a pretty spiritual person and heavily into The Law of Attraction, so this feels right to me.
Why use a “to-manifest” list?
This is for the woo among you. And I say that in the nicest possible way, as a fellow woo-head. A “To Manifest” list is a great way to change up your to-do list. Why? Because if the law of attraction is working then by telling the Universe that you’re manifesting these things on your to-do list, you will receive help from her to get them done.
For example, you might have “do the food shop” on your list then your partner randomly turns around and offers to do it instead. Or perhaps you’ve written something on your list and it turns out you’ve already done it, so you can tick that off immediately. All these little things sent to you from the Universe that will help you complete this list and make it easier for you.
Why use a “I get to do” list?
This option is for the less woo. Which I feel like will probably be most of you but that’s okay. I wanted to tend to all. A “get to do” list is a MUCH more positive version of the “to-do” list. It really hones in on gratitude and thankfulness that you get to wake up and do all these things. I think it’s such a powerful change.
And even the boring things on your list, like do the vacuuming and pick up prescriptions? It even puts those tasks in a brighter light too and encourages you to look at them on the side of gratitude, rather than being boring tasks you wish you didn’t have to spend your time doing.
You have a prescription for a medication that helps with an ailment and therefore makes you feel better and healthier every day? Freaking amazing. Let’s skip all the way to the chemist to pick them up.
You get my point.
I think this small change is such a powerful one. Because gratitude is one of the most powerful feelings and tools we can have in life. And all these small changes and attention focuses to a life of gratitude, rather than a life of lack and things we have to do rather than get to do will slowly, over time, become natural to you.
And you’ll find yourself living a more grateful life every single day!
Productivity is great. Gratitude is great. Why not put them together? There will always be a place in life for productivity and organization. For getting things done. For not procrastinating. For work. But there’s always a place beside that for gratitude as well and for looking at your days and your tasks in a new, more positive, light.
What do you think about this small to-do list change? Will you be changing up your to-do list? Do you currently have a “get to do” list?
Liked this post? You might also enjoy: