\u201cIf I write it down and don\u2019t get it done, that\u2019s like failing. Every time I make a list I end up feeling overwhelmed, or like I\u2019ve failed. It\u2019s one or the other and I don\u2019t like either, so I don\u2019t make lists.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No wonder she hates lists, it made perfect sense.\u00a0 Every time she made a list, she was using it like a whip to drive herself forward, or punish herself for what she labeled as failure.\u00a0 Used as a weapon against oneself, the list becomes hateful, instead of valuable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/cyndicombs.com\/coaching\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/look-1024x614.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe list is not a whip. It\u2019s a basket.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
A basket is not punishing. A basket is quiet. It sits humbly and holds what we put into it until we are ready to retrieve what we put there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something that can cause me a great deal of stress is worrying that I might forget something important.\u00a0 I run three businesses with a lot of moving parts, and I get a lot of ideas.\u00a0 When I get a particularly good idea, my mind runs in circles with it\u2019s arms clutched about the idea thinking, \u201cI must not lose this gem!\u00a0 MUST hold onto thought.\u201d\u00a0 That fear of losing something causes unnecessary anxiety – especially if my mind is trying to hold onto several good ideas at the same time.\u00a0 Lists help me keep track of items without the constant mind juggling.\u00a0 As soon as I add the idea to the appropriate list, I can let it go, knowing it will be here for me when I come back for it.\u00a0 Anything that helps relieve stress is magical in my book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lists allow us to see everything at a glance.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
When the time is right to take action on listed items, a quick glance reveals our options. I often look at the list of what I\u2019d like to accomplish and pick the one that sounds most fun in this moment. Alternatively I can choose the item I least look forward to and do that first. Then anything else I mark off the list seems like a cake walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have a basket full of spiritual practices that raise my vibration. I don\u2019t feel compelled to do all of them every day, but I don\u2019t want to forget about the ones I like doing once in awhile which is easy to do if they are out of sight. I can browse the list any time and magically pick the one that feels right in the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lists help us prioritize!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
We can make the list in order of importance, or once the list is complete, we can go back and order it numerically, or just add stars to the most important items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People who are helpers and caregivers can sometimes over-give.<\/strong>\u00a0 If you are someone who tends to do more for others than for yourself, you are not alone!\u00a0 When my clients fall into this category, they are often feeling resentful.\u00a0 I ask them to make a list of the things they want to do for their own health and well-being, and things they want to accomplish.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n The list then becomes a magical tool that can help us stop over-giving. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When someone asks us to help them, we can use the list to discern whether we actually have time to help them, and if their \u201cto-do\u201d is a higher priority than the starred items on our own list. We can even use one or more items on the list to postpone helping someone, or even say \u201cno\u201d to helping them once in a while. How would it feel to say, \u201cI am willing to help you with this after I complete (your priority task).\u201d Or, \u201cI promised not to say yes to helping anyone until I finish writing my resume.\u201d You get the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The list is an incredibly simple and free tool, yet powerful enough to relieve stress, remind us of our priorities, help us say no, and create what we want to create.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m a fan!<\/p>\n\n\n\n How frequently are you using lists?\u00a0 Ah, yes, the humble list. People tend to love the list or hate the list, but as tools go it\u2019s pretty extraordinary for both action-taking individuals and procrastinators alike. I love lists! When I have a big project going, I make a list of the lists I need to make. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6230,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-empowerment","category-mindset"],"yoast_head":"\nGrow on!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Are you using them as a whip or a basket?
Where is the place you find most effective to keep your lists?
What list could you use right now to help you create what you wish?\u00a0
Try making a list of all the lists that might be helpful to you!\u00a0 Remember these are just baskets to hold great ideas for later!\u00a0
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"