Featured Article – Making Lists

by Kandi A. White

 

This is a simple heading you might say. Yes, but by the

time you've finished the article and the exercise, simplicity

can turn into organised complexity. You will begin to see

things take shape in your life, your mind will expand with

wonderful possibilities and you will know that success can

indeed be yours.

 

We all make lists, we list items we need at the grocery store,

we make lists of friends birthdays, list of to do's. These,

I'll refer to as our general lists, just some important

reminders. They're important because if you're like me and

don't have them you will forget. We forget not only because of

age (that we blame) but because in this day and age we are busy

people. With all the tasks we have to do, how could we possibly

remember everything without our lists.

 

Now here's the exercise. I want you just for a fleeting moment

to think only of yourself. You deserve it!  Take a few moments

and blot out everything and everyone else from your mind.  Ask

God to help you concentrate only on yourself. Go to a quiet

place, close your eyes and picture yourself staring back at you,

focusing on just you. You may want to ask yourself, how am I

today, what am I doing with my life, how do I look, what can I

do for me today, what tasks do I need to complete, what goals

do I have?

 

Now for some of you this can be very strange or even scary to

do because you never give attention to yourself. It can also

reveal some characteristics and truths about yourself you would

rather keep hidden. Nevertheless it's a good exercise.

 

We are taught from a very early age to think of others before

ourselves. Whilst this is a good and honourable practice we

also have to take time to take care of ourselves and to spend

time with ourselves. You see, God wants you to be the best you

can be in order to do for others and help them be the best they

can be.

 

Once you've finished the exercise, give yourself a few more

minutes (you are important) and make a list of all the things

you were thinking about. These are all things concerning you,

wants, needs, goals, resolutions, to do's. Go ahead make your

list, let it be as long as you like. If it doesn't concern you,

put it on your general list.

 

After your list is made, prioritise it putting the most important

at the top. Making a list transfers the mental blue print from

our minds and gives us a picture that we can see. It creates

reality. Keep your list where it's visible by you and read it

regularly. Get to work on the top priorities. Change it as

situations change, or when you rethink about yourself.

 

Reviewing your list regularly will remind you of what's important,

what you have accomplished and what still needs to be done. We

become accountable to our list. As we accomplish tasks on our list,

we feel empowered, our self-esteem is improved, our health improves,

our outlook on life improves. This is what success is about.  And

believe it or not, we are able to help others and think of others

before ourselves. I urge you to make your list today. 

 

In a future article I hope to share with you how to take an item on

your list and make a plan, a mini project if you like, with start

and finish dates and tasks to be completed. Have a great day and

may God Bless You.

 

Kandi

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Kandi White is the author of Hours of Pure Gold, an ebook of

Inspiration, Motivation, and Gratitude, a resource to help you

find your true purpose in life.  http://www.hoursofpuregold.com