My feet hit the floor each morning, and a new day starts. My first activity, often before anything else happens—I write my “To-Do” list for the day.
I’ve barely rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and I’ve already created my day. Bam, bam, bam, right down the line.
A highly orchestrated, perfectly thought-through 12 hours of work. This might be the way you start your day, too.
Most business people I know tell me that they are locked into a To-Do list almost every day. We might not get everything checked off the list and there they are again tomorrow, but we’re purposefully driven.
I was talking to one of my friends about these To-Do lists. She’s a Capricorn, and nobody does a list like a Capricorn. She’s new to her business so she feels even more committed to her To-Do’s.
She had an idea she wanted to run by me…something she felt would not only make her day better, it would make her business better.
She wondered about creating a “To-Allow” list.
Her To-Allow list would hold the things that she would just let happen that day, things that could unfold at their own speed and direction. Her To-Allow list would be those things that she would not try to control—sort of the opposite of her To-Do list.
Wow…a controlled list of things that you weren’t going to try to control that day.
Here’s what gave her the idea. She had a contractor working for her who she just felt wasn’t doing what he should. As a good Capricorn, that was driving her crazy. She was torn wondering whether she should do nothing or report him to the lead on the project. Talking to the project lead was among her To-Do’s.
Instead, she made the entry on her To-Allow list. She would allow the contractor to do what he was doing, to let it unfold as the universe intended. And she was rewarded. Several days later the contractor righted himself. Her problem had resolved itself.
And so comes Gift 2: Your “To-Allow” List
Doesn’t that feel good just saying it? Rather than trying to control and manipulate everything, there are undoubtedly things we should just “allow” to happen or not.
Let’s give it a try right now—write down one thing that you’re going To Allow to unfold the way that person or event intends.
Write down one thing that you really don’t have to push through today, that has legs of its own—one thing that might not even be headed in the direction that you want. You’re going to actively choose To Allow it to happen.
Here’s what I’ve discovered about adding a To-Allow list to my day: I’ve recognized that not everything should be in my control, that many things have their own path and a better one at that. And, frankly, it’s kind of fun to let go and just see what happens.
So Gift #2 is to try out a To-Allow item today. As you get adjusted to this new muscle, can you gift it to yourself another day? And another? Starting with just one thing until you’re comfortable.
What will you Allow to unfold today?
Go forth and do great things,
Martha Hanlon and Chris Williams
P.S. And if you feel short on time for everything during the holiday season, use this great method click the link to discover my secret for making more time for the things you really want to do.