Most of us have a to-do list. Some of us have really long ones. Particularly when I’m busy (last-minute Christmas prep, anyone?), I tend to pack my days so full of one thing after another that I find it’s like doing a puzzle to squeeze in time to even to use the bathroom (but rest assured, I always find a way).
On those days, I catch myself whizzing by things that want attention. It struck me that I’d gotten into a habit of ignoring a little too much while keeping my eyes on the prize.
The thing that knocked me out of my zone and started this train of thought was my cat, actually. One Saturday morning, as I was in the midst of a cleaning frenzy scrambling from one room to the next, I found that he wouldn’t stop following me around. Rubbing my legs, meowing, collapsing pitifully on the floor in front of me whenever I slowed down.
You see, when my cat gets bored he likes to be picked up and carried around like a baby . . . which is an awesome and adorable trait. He wants to see everything at eye level, and maybe bump my chin with his forehead a few times. (I think that’s how he gives kisses). If I’ve sufficiently established myself as a crazy cat nut, I’ll move on to my point.
Keep a mental list of what you’ll drop anything for.
More important than the things on your to-do list are the things that might never be on your to-do list, but make your life really, really great and worthwhile.
You might say that it’s counter-productive to throw your carefully scheduled “priorities” out the window. But your Drop Everything List is way more important than your to do list will ever be, and it’s important to know what’s more important when you have the choice of getting to a meeting on time or taking a phone call from your sister, who is upset and needs to talk.
On my Drop Everything List? Sweet kittens begging for attention. My sweet husband begging for attention. Surprise visitors. Taking a walk on a beautiful sunny day after it’s rained for a week. Putting warm socks on cold feet.
What’s on yours?
