Don't Let Your To-Do List Define You

Whether you are a mom, wife, daughter, grandmother, aspiring influencer, business woman, artist, uber driver, or some combination of all of the above, you are a multi-tasker and chances are you get things done! The problem is that in life there are so many things on our to-do list that no matter what we’ve accomplished, we never feel like it is quite enough. We are here to dispel that thought and give you some encouraging words to empower you. We have a few ideas to help give you a boost during those times when you feel like you are not enough.

Have you ever started your day with a long list of things you need to accomplish, and at the end of the day, only half of the things were crossed out - and you know you could not have gone any faster. Strange thing is when we look back over the course of a month or year, oftentimes we are amazed at all the things that we actually accomplished. At the end of each day, I often wish there was another 10 hours. As an entrepreneur, mother of 2 busy boys, wife, daughter, and friend who enjoys a glass of wine here and again, there is no shortage of things that need to get done or places to spend our time. We all tend to stack a ridiculous amount of things on our plate and when they don’t all get done, we get frustrated and take it out on ourselves. If you know what I’m talking about, then Sister, pour yourself a glass of wine because I have some tips to share with you!

photo courtesy of JP Valery

1. First, try to make your list before you go to bed. This will take some tossing and turning out of your sleep. Research suggests that writing down your problems helps with stress, so once you put it down on paper, your brain is able to let it go a little more
   
   
2. Once you put that list together of what you need to do in your day or week, prioritize it. Ask yourself what absolutely needs to get done, what should get done, and what is a ‘nice to do’.
   
   
3. On the ‘nice to do’s’, realize what they are, and either forget about them, see if you can get someone to help you with them, or find a shortcut. For example, if you promised you would bake cookies for a community bake sale, ask your friend who loves to bake to make them for you. Then do a trade with picking her son up from school since you have to pick yours up anyway. If that’s not an option, just go buy some at the store, and save yourself some stress! What would have taken 1 hour will be shortened to 10 minutes.
   
   
4. Look at the list again and bundle similar items. For example, if you have to make 4 calls, sit down at one time and make all 4 calls subsequently so you save time. If it is your turn to bring the wine to your book club, you were going to have to stop at the store anyway, so buy the cookies for the bake sale at the same time. As the saying goes, you just killed 2 birds with 1 stone - like the idea, but never liked that saying - LOL! 
   
   
5. Try to do the harder things first thing in the morning. This is when you are feeling more refreshed and ready to take on the day. You might as well tackle the big one first. When you are done with that, you will feel hyper-accomplished and it will feel like smooth sailing.
   
   
6. Celebrate accomplishments, both big and small. Try to give yourself a break so you are not rushing from one thing to the next. When you’ve crossed some things off your list, have a mini celebration. Make a power move, jump up and down, or dance to some feel good music. You will find yourself smiling and put yourself in a better state to conquer the next thing on that list.
   
   
7. Try to make your to-do lists in a notebook instead of random pieces of paper. This will allow you to take additional notes, but most importantly, it almost becomes a journal that’s chronicling all you’ve done. Once you look back at all the things you crossed off on your list a month ago, you’ll be amazed at yourself and realize just how much you deserve that glass of wine chill time. 

The most important thing is to realize that the tasks you have on your daily schedule are just that - tasks. They do not define you, and whether you finished them or not, does not make you good or bad. You are an incredible, talented woman with love to give, and you get to set the terms of what defines you.
Forget about the tasks and think about the people whose lives you touch because you are a part of their lives. The truth is women are more nurturing in general, and whether we like it or not, we are typically ready to give and sacrifice for others. Whether it is your kids who need a bandaid and a hug when they fall off their bike, your aging parents who want to spend time with you, your friend who needs a shoulder to cry on, or making sure your dog goes on that walk, you are there for them.

That love that you give should empower you and give you the strength you need to know you are enough and there really should never be any doubt!
photo courtesy of Noemi Macavei Katoc

So Sister, we say take the time to fill up a PortoVino with your favorite wine, grab some friends, and giggle the night away because no one deserves it more than you!

To read a bit more about perspective, click here.

You Go Girl!

Cheers!

PortoVino Founder