3 Interesting Observations on Life Lists

This is an excerpt from a newsletter by from Marcia Francois (my list hero!) – Enjoy!

In the process of updating my 36 things list and making a new 37 things list (Marcia’s 37th birthday was last week – Happy Birthday!), and talking about these a bit too much with friends and colleagues, I realized a few things:

1. some things are always going to be easier to accomplish if you tell people

e.g. last year I had an item on my list “learn to cook a roast”

When I shared this with some friends, two of them sent me their tried and tested roast recipes and I’ve since made a roast 2 – 3 times. Shall I count the first, very bland attempt? 🙂

Also, lesson for me – learn to accept help from people

2. you need to have a mix of easy and stretch goals

Both years I aimed to have a mix of big goals like “write a book” (by the way, it’s done – I’m in the midst of the boring bits now, like getting quotes to get the cover designed, put on Kindle, etc.) and small goals like “go for a massage once a month”.

It’s important for me (and I’m guessing for you) to FEEL victorious, and the smaller goals get the momentum moving very nicely. It’s as easy as booking the first one and then at each massage, booking the next.

3. focus is vital for success

When I teach my goal-setting (or goal-getting :)) courses, I often talk about how writing things down solidifies things in your mind and gets you focused.

This is so true.

Sometimes you’re not aware of how important something is to you til you write/ type it.

One item on both years’ lists is to do a certain number of random acts of kindness.

It’s very important to me to leave the world a better place and make a difference.

And so by writing it down, I’m consciously seeking out ways to bring a smile, a laugh, a word of encouragement to others.

If someone says x, I’m listening with normal ears, but also with my “random acts of kindness” ears and maybe they’ll get a little note from me, or a little gift, or a link to an inspiring article.

Marcia Francois is a time management coach and speaker who inspires busy women to break out of overwhelm, make the most of their time and take purposeful and focused action so they have the time and freedom to live life to the full.