JUST TO-DO IT: A Competitive Story about Life
Here's some food for thought: what if to-do lists were called "active quests"? Would we still get to the bottom of the augmenting list? I'm tired of leaving my lists unchecked and have decided to take on this challenge to find a solution to this age old problem. Read on if you're frustrated like yours truly.
I remember making to-do lists with red ink to mark them as tasks of paramount importance. By the time I'd finish, I'd see that the entire list was written with red ink. That's the height of my procrastination for you. Obviously, not being able to finish these was taking a toll on me mentally. For instance, I was far behind in my class than the rest because I've been too busy putting study time off every day. To-do lists gave me a clear view of what I needed to finish but the workload would inundate me with palpable panic that would push me in the pit of desolation, and I'm not even exaggerating.
Moreover, whenever I'd hear people around me talk about how much they've progressed, I'd come home, shred the list and make a new one. I'd title it "MOST FINALEST LIST YOU CAN DO THIS DO IT I'M SERIOUS". I'll give you a moment to guess what happened to that list.
Whoever said that to-do lists helped? Did they not consider the handful of people who get demotivated easily? I asked around to see if people had a few tips for me. The advice I received was either a lazy attempt at motivating me to work harder or they didn't have the slightest clue as to why I went to them for advice in the first place. Some would say, "You can do it" or "It doesn't matter" or ramble on about how they've had it hard when finally, they took charge and conquered everything. "You should be more like me." No thanks, stranger; I've got Mom to tell me that.
So, there is this girl in class who said that I'm too slow. Firstly, what's with all the strangers pretending to be my Mom? Secondly, did she just slap me verbally? I can't squint harder.
I returned home, chucked out my entire book of to-do lists and wrote the girl's name on a piece of paper. I quoted her words fired at me in bold and named the list "ACTIVE QUEST TO SHOVE IT IN X's FACE". I wrote down the things I needed to finish and gave myself a day to complete a set of study list. Each time I'd finish a chapter I'd strike a line across her name. I think this is the first time in many moons that I've actually ticked off till the end of the list.
I've been doing this for the past 2 weeks and honestly, it's been going great. Granted I was a bit late to finish everything on time, but I can safely say that if I keep at it for another 2 weeks, I'll be in pace with the class. Take that, X.
Take it from someone who's too competitive for her own good and could probably win a gold medal in the sport of procrastination. Use your haters to complete that wretched list, it is absolutely fool proof.
Maisha Maliha speaks what crosses her mind in the most positive way but is often misinterpreted and thought to be a lunatic. Unfollow her at www.facebook.com/MyshoeMaliha
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