A to-do list is an infinite list. If I sit and think hard enough, I can come up with an infinite list of things to do: tasks to complete, ideas to execute, people to contact, places to go…
But an infinite list causes paralysis.
Why?
Because, despite having an infinitely long list of exciting options, I have a frustratingly finite amount of time, energy and motivation. Also, no matter how hard I try, multi-tasking can never match the results of focusing on a single task. Therefore, I must choose just a single action from this infinite list to perform right now. Saying “Yes” to one action means saying “No” to all of the others (for now, at least). Therefore, the more options I have, the more I must sacrifice. Sacrifice is painful, so this is a very hard decision… I’ll just stay in bed.
If I ever do overcome the paralysis, full of ambition to defeat this mighty list, I will soon burn out. With no end point in sight, time is my enemy: the longer I delay, the longer my infinite list grows! Therefore I must move fast to keep pace – I continue burning candles into the night, working faster, harder, longer – only once they are all complete will my task be finished, and I can rest! But this is an infinite list…
Self-care falls by the wayside. I cease to eat well, I cease to exercise, I cease to sleep… and now I am quite miserable… and I am no closer to the end.
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Infinite lists are important! They are essential for staying open-minded, exploring the possibilities, innovating.
But infinite lists are paralysing and cause burnout. They make it near-impossible to decide what to do right now, and are incompatible with our finite human bodies.
So how can I maintain an open mind and allow new opportunities in without falling prey to paralysis and burnout?
In order to begin taking action, I first need to turn my infinite lists into finite lists. These finite lists should provide me with enough work to keep me in flow, but not enough to allow me to work overtime!
Creating these finite lists will be difficult, because I have a natural desire to do everything, in order to avoid the fear of missing out. But in reality, most of my to-dos only feel important in-the-moment, and are actually quite unimportant when I consider them objectively. Only a few will make the cut!
It is a balancing act: the more brutal I am, the more focus I will have on each task. But fewer tasks means less variety, and less difficulty. Make it too easy and there is no challenge!
I must remind myself:
Don’t cram it in. Keep it flowing, flexible. Allow time to truly care for your self.
Achieving just one significant task this week will be far more fulfilling than contemplating many potential but insignificant tasks. Whereas before I was deliberating for hours over what to do, now I am busy executing.
By allocating a specific time (eg. Sunday morning) to this emotionally-intensive sacrificial task, I am liberated for the rest of the week! My mind is allowed to wander far: ambition is welcomed, distraction is accepted, ideas are captured… everything goes onto the infinite list.
But, when the time comes, it will become clear that most tasks are insignificant as I stop, reflect and prioritise.
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Now I can stop reacting to the world around me and start being proactive, taking action on the most significant tasks while still allowing my mind to wander to infinity.