Crossing off the list

Erudite · #1 09-02-2008, 05:54 PM

Lately, I've become a bigger list maker than I ever was before. Why? So I can cross stuff OFF the list! It feels good to know that I'm accomplishing something on a daily basis. There's something SO satisfying about crossing stuff off lists. Maybe that's because I went through months of being able to do nothing. But it's got me thinking...are you a list maker and doer OR a flexible take-it-as-it comes kind of person? How do you feel your attitude works for you? And if it doesn't, how can it be changed?

Honestly, I'm both a list maker and a take-it-as-it-comes person. I don't beat myself up for the list not getting done, because I do take it as it comes and stay flexible. This too is a result of having been sick and not knowing when I'll be sick again or for how long. It works for me, because I get things done when I feel good and can sit quietly and read a book when I don't and that's ok....well, most of the time. I swear that crumbs cry out to me sometimes...I love a clean house too much, but I do try to let it go when I can't do.

What works for you?

**5ft Diva** · #2 09-03-2008, 12:30 AM

I am a list type of person. When I don't make lists then nothing gets done. I find that to be especially true of big projects. It seems too overwhelming because I feel like I have to accomplish everything "right now" so I end up just doing nothing. Not such a great stretegy. I don't know why I have such a hard time with this. I've wondered often if I'm the only person like this, who gets easily overwhelmed with big projects. I wish I was like you, E. A person who could easily make lists in my head and get them done. The problem w/ making lists in my head is that nothing ever stays in the same order which is why I think I need to do everything right now. I'm not sure how to master this. Anyway, to answer your quesiton I'm a list person and it's very helpful to me to use the Franklin Covey planning system.

Erudite · #3 09-04-2008, 11:15 AM

Actually, lists in my head don't work for me at all. It's gotta be on paper and then I get to cross it off too.

I think practice and a "do it now" attitude is the best way to learn the skill. I can be a terrible procrastinator, so along with being a list maker, I've been trying to "do it now" more too, so that stuff does get crossed off the list.

I've been thinking a lot about this general subject of changing the kind of personality that I am, due to some personal lessons that I've learned of late. I guess that's kinda what I'd hoped to understand out of this thread...can we change the personality to be more what we want it to be? I told 5D on the phone yesterday that I realized I was a different and better person when I was feeling ill than when I was not. I'm a go-getter when I'm not feeling ill, but often don't include God in that effort. When I'm ill, I stand quietly with God and see things completely differently. And I can see that "standing quietly with God" is the way to be...only I can't be ill all the time to accomplish that. It's got to be an attitude change...then a personality change. It has to be part of who I am. Does that make sense? How do you change something so fundamental about yourself?

**5ft Diva** · #4 09-04-2008, 12:00 PM

I think what you're talking about is a transformation. It's already there, just hidden. And it takes some effort to find it. Unfortunately, we can transform back so the trick is doing what needs to be done to stay the way we want to be.

Erudite · #5 09-04-2008, 12:16 PM

hhmmm...Romans 12:1-2?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The word "transformed" doesn't appear very many places in the scriptures, but it does here and that's why I thought of it. You're definitely right about the process that I want. I believe the process is also equated to being "born again" as described in the early chapters of Mosiah. And I know what that means...it gives me a place to aim for, if you know what I mean.

**5ft Diva** · #6 09-04-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erudite

Romans 12:1-2?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

My service, or rather trials and stewardships, don't always seem reasonable at the time, but when I am blessed with the vision of my potential I understand how reasonable Heavenly Father's commandments and directions have been. Thanks for sharing. I really like this scripture.