Make a List
A few months back I was out in the city with my wonderful girlfriend, Danielle. We had decided to venture into the lower west side and explore this fantastic little section full of restaurant and bakeries. We ended are night sitting in a Italian bakery drinking coffee and talking – we love doing this kind of stuff. During our nearly 2 hour talk she ended up doing something very interesting. She pulled out a napkin and pen and asked me to ‘make a list’…I quickly asked ‘what do yah mean?’ A list of 10 things you want to accomplish this year. So I sat there and thought about it. Some items came out very quickly – I had been wanting to do them for years. Others took a little more time and effort. By the end of the night we had created ‘the List’. ‘The List’ ranged from ways to serve others, to adventures, to skills I wanted to learn. Each item was designed to push me past my comfort point.
When I got home I put the list on my dresser and went to bed. The next morning I got up energized with the possibility of completing the list. I set out thinking of what I would do, who I would help, how to get them all done. Well here is the sad part – it’s June. Yes almost half the year is gone and the list still sits. Doesn’t have many check-marks, and still siting there staring at me. So this is where you come in. I am dedicated to completing the list this year. You guys, as my readers, will become my accountability team. Every 2 weeks I will attempt to complete and write about a different goal from the list – starting next week.
Task one is already picked out – 1. Write every member of my family and tell them how special they are to me.
This is week one of my ‘List’. I will say that I strongly believe everyone needs a list. Something to keep us motivated. Something to push us to complete dreams, and live a fuller life. If you have a list I would love to hear it. If not – make one – NOW! Checking next week to see task 1 on ‘the List’
The very fact that you put it down in writing is WAY more than most people ever do… So kudos to you for doing that (and to Danielle for encouraging it!) I’m currently working on my “BHAG” (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). It’s in writing. I read it every day. It’s more of a life goal than a “list”. But for the past 8+ years I have been writing lists like the one you talk about. I write mine on January 1st and bury it in a drawer, not looking at it for 365 days. Then I pull it out the following January 1 and look at it. Just the fact that it’s down on paper makes it “stick” better in my subconscious. Do I get everything done on my lists? No… but I do make progress that I believe I would not be reaching if I didn’t put it in writing! So while you may not get everything done that you have on your own list, I believe you will be amazed by how much you do accomplish just because it’s more than just a passing thought!
Matt – This is so inspiring. And I love the fact it all started on the back of a napkin. Big things sometimes start in unexpected places!
It’s great to have a partner that will spur you on for things like this which is so critical. It reminds me of Hebrews 10:24-25:
“…let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…”
One of my favorite praxis that I follow is to write handwritten notes to people to thank them. It is amazing how much attention / impact they get and it also really fulfills you in ways that you never thought about at times.
p.s. I knew you were a lovin’ guy, but re-check what you specifically wrote above:
“Write every member of **your** family and tell them how special they are to me.”
Thanks for lovin’ my family. We love you too!
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