There is nothing more satisfactory than crossing off an action item on our “to-do” list. That simple strike of the pen in our notepad can make us all want to dance.
It is often something that we have procrastinated about for a while and we think “that was actually pretty easy, why didn’t I do that ages ago!?”
But what is your reaction when you have a new action item to add to your list? Do you resist, resent and become over-whelmed? Do you start projecting to the future and imagine a variety of “what if” scenarios? The likelihood is that like all of us you do.
“How am I going to do this? Aggghh, I was just on top of everything when this cropped up. This always happens me! When will I even get the time to do this?”
This is the clever work of the egoic mind within us all. It makes us believe that until that list is clear, we can’t find any peace or contentment.
We end up creating mind-made deadlines for each of these action items and furiously work on clearing this “never-ending” list. And if we aren’t working on this list, we are consumed by the thought of it.
This a trap, a complete illusion and a viscous cycle of self-sabotage.
What can we do about this?
Firstly, accept that there is always a to-do list and there always will be.
Welcome new actions items as they arise. Recognise the opportunity in each one of them.
Understand that many of these actions do not have to be done now or even today.
The only thing you truly need to worry about is the next breathe. That’s all.
The work will be done. Don’t make it harder with mind-made deadlines.
There’s only one reason why you’re not experiencing bliss at this present moment, and it’s because you’re thinking or focusing on what you don’t have. Otherwise you would be experiencing bliss.
Anthony de Mello
zenpaddy.ie 