Searching for systems

I have been searching for systems my whole life, or so it seems. The brain does like its patterns and recognition, so no wonder it would always be on the hunt for repetition and order!

It’s like I have this ongoing, never-ending list and someone somewhere once promised me that it would somehow magically get organized and miraculously get to a place where there’s nothing on the list. That world does not exist. I’m so sorry to say it out loud to you and me. The perfect to-do list situation where there’s a day when it gets to zero is a myth, and we have to internalize that at some point.

Besides my existential dilemma with the to-do list and my brain’s constant energy organizing all the things, I tried something new, which you may be able to see above. Here’s an explanation if you have a sight-impairment. Picture is of a cozy corner with a book shelf, a lamp, some pictures and plants, rocking chair, and one wall covered in perfectly spaced shades of blue post-it notes.

I recently drew out, with old-school Crayola water-based, smudgy markers, my dreams and plans for my business for the next couple years or so. It was long and elaborately crafted. It had so much hope on one roll with little promise of action.

So how can I take action? How can I trust myself to follow through on plans? How can I devote myself, for real, to my dreams? I have no idea! But this is what I tried recently.

I cut some 5x7ish (why didn’t I just buy the normal ones!) sized post-it notes and cut them in quarters and halves. I then sporadically wrote down actionable items that I had in my head for many of the big things laid out on my big paper roll plan. I stuck them up there with pretty washi tape. And now I have the dopamine-firing satisfaction every time I complete a task. I get to take one of those little papers off the wall (and recycle!). …I then move another in its place to keep everything even and ordered, but maybe it would be more motivating to see the empty spaces. 😂

Well, there you have it! Art and a tangible to-do list on your wall. …maybe next time I’ll have it in a room other than my bedroom. I’m sure it’s not the best thing for optimal sleep performance!

I’d love to hear about what types of systems work for you too!