Calendar Collisions

According to Todoist, I am a Grand Master.

I have tracked over 38,391 tasks over the number of years I have used this to-do list app.

And I have completed 8,335 of them.

Clearly, my completed/to do fraction is not a hopeful equation. Today, I received a note in my account. It says, “You are not on a streak. Your longest streak: 50 days (Feb 10, 2021 - Apr 4, 2021).”

You are not on a streak.

Gee, thanks, Todoist! 

As if I didn’t know that. 

These days, my to-do list extends well into the next decade. And I’m adding more things than I am checking off.

I have 23 items on my Priority 1 list. Another 7 on my Priority 2 list. And then there are Priority 3 and 4, which are things that I will do when I get around to it, along with items that do not have a due date or priority label.

Besides, Todoist should know that those dates when I was at my peak performance were during COVID when I was not on the road much. I had way more time to enter and tick off items on my list then.

Before you think I’m some crazy person, you should know that I use Todoist to track everything from creating agendas and PowerPoints to writing proposals and memos, along with paying bills and saving websites or resources I want to check out.

I have a section of books and movies I want to read or watch. Some of my to-dos are fun and games.

But 38,391 things on that list in recent years?

Is that what life is really about?

Craig Groeschel, bestselling author and senior pastor of Life.Church spoke at the Global Leadership Summit, an online leadership conference, earlier this year.

In his opening session, he talked about the power of a to-DON’T list. 

Groeschel said, “The greatest barrier to productive leadership isn’t the lack of commitment, but overcommitment.”

Ahhh, maybe we are getting somewhere.

What might I put on my to-DON’T list?

Hmmm.

Don’t sign up for any more volunteer committees or boards until I step off one.

Don’t take on more projects at work than I can reasonably handle.

Don’t take redeye flights as a general rule.

Don’t work on the weekends.

Don’t work before 8:00 am.

Don’t nag my adult child.

Don’t eat too much chocolate.

What is on your to-don’t list?

Author and podcast host Rachel Schultz said, “Overcommitment is what happens when your enthusiasm for life collides with the reality of your calendar.”

Yes, there have been a few crashes there lately. 

I have had days where I wake up at 5:00 am anxious about the list that is staring me in the face. I make it through—I always do—but I like this idea of a to-don’t list. I need to focus on growing the things to say no to at this point in my life. 

I don’t need more yesses. 

I’m therefore going to start keeping a to-don’t list.

Every week, I will note a few things that I can say no to that will breathe new life and possibility into my calendar.

How about you?

What might you say no to?

But wait a minute, friend…did I just give us both another “to do”?

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