A feather on your path - A different kind of to-do list

Make a different kind of to do-list today - One you actually want to complete.

The What -

Okay, today's feather is a task that sounds boring but I promise it's not. Your task today is to make a to-do list. But this is one you will enjoy completing. This is what I want you to write down in order to build your list;

• 3 people you love to spend time with

• 3 activities you would like to do

• 3 places you want to go
  

Now match each person to one place and one activity to do (whatever you think they would most enjoy) and make it your mission to complete this list by a certain date - whatever is realistic for you. This is your new to-do list so like any other list in your life, make it a priority for completion.

The Why -

Our lives are full of lists and tasks and we can feel like we are buried in what everyone else needs from us sometimes. To do lists tend to be all about the things we have to do or need to do but how often do we make lists of things we want to do? I'm guessing for most people, probably not that often.

The question I think we should ask here is, why not? I mean life is for living and it's meant to be a journey right? But we so often wait for a reason to visit someone, make plans or go and do something we want to do. Or, we are so busy we don't even have the time to work out what we want to do or where we will ever find the spare time to do it.

Spending just a few minutes working this out and writing it down already gets you so much closer to more enjoyment in your life. It's also likely to make you feel a lot more like you are in the driving seat on your journey and not just being moved from one step to the next by an endless stream of tasks that need completing.

There isn't much more important in this life than our loved ones so why would we wait to do great things and see wonderful places with them? Oh wait a second, we don't have to wait at all! Yay!

Tweak all you want, as long as you commit.

Now OK, you may need to tweak your list a little bit over time. Maybe you really want to go bungee jumping but you're not sure your Nan will be up for that. (You might be wrong about that, mind you!) Or you might want to go to the other side of the world and that's going to take some planning and some savings. But that's OK. The point is to make the list and commit to the list. It's not set in stone and you don't need to work out all the details yet.

The next step will be to tell those on your list about it. Talk through what you would like to do with them and where you want to take them. Chances are you will come up with all sorts of ideas and resolutions for any hurdles together. So even just talking about it will begin to strengthen the bond with those you care about. Plus, I'm sure they will be pretty delighted to be on your list with something exciting to plan for.

Now bungee jumping and travelling across the world are pretty big plans but what's on your to-do list doesn't need to be big or expensive at all. If you fancy going to get ice cream, getting your nails done or hiking with one of your most favourite humans - then absolutely make those things your to-do list.

It can also be a lot of fun to get creative about this. You could find out what new restaurants have opened near you or check out the most Instagrammable places to go. Or even surprise someone you care about by taking them to somewhere you know they really want to go and you would like to visit too.

“A good life is a collection of happy moments.” - Denis Waitley

A never ending to do list usually sounds like a nightmare but this list can and absolutely could go on and on, bringing you practically miles of wonderfulness, if you want it to. So once you've ticked something off, by all means add more to it or even make it an annual list to complete with three new items each time.

I for one would much rather look back one day at my accomplishments being a list of fun activities I completed with wonderful people in beautiful places than a whole load of 'stuff' that I had to get done. So start making your new to-do list today and make sure it's as much of a priority for you as all that other stuff that needs doing.

The Who -

The inspiration for this feather is one of my Grandads. When he retired, he by no means slowed down. He completed a degree, learnt to play instruments, spent weeks every year travelling and even got a licence to drive lorries. Why? Well, he just wanted to. Suddenly he had the time to do things just for the fun of doing them and he made the most of it. But we don't have to wait until we retire to complete an impressive to-do list. And at the very least, I think we all deserve to get our nails done with our besties more often!

It would be great to hear what wonderful things you plan to complete on your new to-do list so feel free to comment and share.

Lou @ Feathered Paths Xx