Please just delete your to-do list
Oh, hi friends!
A priority list can be looked at in a few different ways: sequentially, categorically, or through a lens of urgency.
If I’m thinking sequentially, I would tell myself that in the morning I’ll draft my story, at noon I’ll have a conference call, at 3 p.m. I’ll write this newsletter, and so on.
If I’m going categorically, I’ll tell myself that today I’m focusing on musical theater projects, and tomorrow I’m dealing with freelance admin stuff, and so on.
If I’m considering urgency, I might tell myself that I’ll complete my money-making work first, then I’ll deal with whatever deadline is closest (and scariest).
But sometimes none of those strategies feel right. Sometimes I don’t want to do anything on my to-do list. (Yesterday was one of those days.)
And that’s when I can go back to that list and ask,
Is this sequence important right now?
Are these categories important right now?
Is this actually urgent right now?
The “right now” is the key bit.
Because you might realize these items are hold-overs from a previous version of yourself with different obligations. And that’s when you can let them go.
If you’re afraid to ditch anything, try this first: Delete the item from your list, just for a second, and see how you feel.
If you breathe a sigh of relief, figure out how you can leave it off for good — and don’t look back.
“While my ability to venture beyond my Brooklyn neighborhood is limited, these live feeds help me remember our vast world. When distractions or anxiety loom, I turn to the animals, and they don’t make me feel guilty for avoiding a group Zoom, not writing my opus or ditching an Instagram workout. For a few minutes, I focus on feathers, wide eyes, the jungle. I hear chirps or watch them chomp. I witness animals playing, staying still, and surviving. And I think, if they can do it, perhaps so can we.”
This is from my Tip of the Week in this week’s Smarter Living section on the New York Times (scroll all the way down!).
I advocate watching animal cams throughout the day — the falcons at 55 Water (of course), these baby eaglets in Iowa, and gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They remind me of all the animal facts I can learn and places I can one day visit. They don’t come with deadlines or pressure.
These animals are living their lives and, at this moment, that alone feels like a miracle to witness.
I can’t wait for this fox to win Best Cinematography at next year’s Oscars. Watch these 80 seconds on Twitter for a guaranteed smile.
P.S. — If you’re new here, hi! I’m Kara Cutruzzula (rhymes with Methuselah), and I write articles, essays, plays, musical theater, and this newsletter, which floats from my brain to yours every weekday at 7:30 a.m. ET. It’s designed to give a little jolt of creative energy to your day. Please write back anytime — I’d love to hear from you.
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Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara