Jacey Verdicchio - A Children's Author

I have always been a “list” person.  Often times my mood, positive expectation for the future and self worth have been wrapped up in my ability to check items off list.  Anyone else see the pitfalls with such a system?  Me too.

Lists can be extremely effective.  My budget and pantry are happier when I make and stick to a grocery list.  It’s helpful to have a list of people when sending invitations or thank you notes.  The last thing I do before bed at night is write a thankful list.  These lists have all served me well.

Lists can be deceiving in that you cannot judge your personal efficacy based solely on the number of things checked off a list.  For example, you can always make lists that are easy...

1. Kiss Mike good morning
2. Bake cookies
3. Go shopping for new shoes
4. Read a magazine
5. Catch up on The Office

...and you can make lists that are hard...

1. Understand God’s love
2. Write 50 pages in my novel
3. Call to apologize to someone
4. Be a better listener

The items on the first list have a lower value and are easier to accomplish.  Some of the items on the second list cannot simply be “checked off” but are an ongoing process.  The ones that can be checked off take considerably more emotional energy, time, and ultimately yield more value than everything on the first list.

Items on a list should be attainable but should carry weight to avoid a sense of helplessness as well as a false sense of accomplishment.