Yes! I had a sandbox day yesterday and was WAY more “productive” than my days when I have a regimented list. If only every day could be more like that!
I discovered the same thing re: feeling boxed in by listing out and thus requiring that I complete my fun want-to-do’s vs having a time window to create a sandbox in which I get to decide which creative task to complete! Here’s to exploring this new approach in 2023 🥂
I love a plan and a to-do list and a hefty list of goals for the year. I've learned to be okay with hitting about 75% of my goals. For my next year, I'm trying to focus on goals that are more in my control (I'll post to my Substack twice a week or more) and less up to other people (I'll get 100 paid subscribers) because it feels like it will be better for my brain to not attach my feelings about "how I did" to "did other people like it?"
Thank you for making everyone feel better about both what they did and didn’t accomplish. I was definitely in a mood about that today until I read your letter.
I love an anti-list. Writing down the things I won’t do instead. Like, I won’t do laundry or clean the cat box. I won’t do the spelling bee. I won’t chat with my neighbor. All the things I do to avoid writing!
I really relate to your comments about not wanting to do things I've told myself I HAVE to do. My mother always described me as 'very contrary' when I was a child and I think it's still true.
I once had a great boss who always asked me if I would like to do tasks and I appreciated her approach, even though I knew I didn't really have a choice.
Being contrary works the other way as well. When people tell me I can't do something I always think, just watch me.
Yes! I had a sandbox day yesterday and was WAY more “productive” than my days when I have a regimented list. If only every day could be more like that!
I discovered the same thing re: feeling boxed in by listing out and thus requiring that I complete my fun want-to-do’s vs having a time window to create a sandbox in which I get to decide which creative task to complete! Here’s to exploring this new approach in 2023 🥂
The sandbox approach really works for me too!
How have I never heard of the sandbox before!!!!!!
#1. Comment reassuringly on Kate’s post ✅
I love a plan and a to-do list and a hefty list of goals for the year. I've learned to be okay with hitting about 75% of my goals. For my next year, I'm trying to focus on goals that are more in my control (I'll post to my Substack twice a week or more) and less up to other people (I'll get 100 paid subscribers) because it feels like it will be better for my brain to not attach my feelings about "how I did" to "did other people like it?"
Someone recently used the phrase ‘keep your eyes on your own work’ and I think that’s good advice. No point in comparing yourself to others.
Wise. Stephen King even writes about this in his memoir On Writing ✍️
Thank you for making everyone feel better about both what they did and didn’t accomplish. I was definitely in a mood about that today until I read your letter.
🔥
I love list but I keep them really short then add to it through the day.
Start out, 1. Get to work. 2. Meet minimum at work.
Then add
3. Did _______ at work
4. Got __________ done
5. Made dinner
6. Ate healthy, mostly (take what you can get)....
🙌
So good!
I love an anti-list. Writing down the things I won’t do instead. Like, I won’t do laundry or clean the cat box. I won’t do the spelling bee. I won’t chat with my neighbor. All the things I do to avoid writing!
😳🔥🔥
Thank you so much for this one!
I really relate to your comments about not wanting to do things I've told myself I HAVE to do. My mother always described me as 'very contrary' when I was a child and I think it's still true.
I once had a great boss who always asked me if I would like to do tasks and I appreciated her approach, even though I knew I didn't really have a choice.
Being contrary works the other way as well. When people tell me I can't do something I always think, just watch me.
Oof, me and my ADHD relate to this very hard!
I love the sandbox metaphor and I love lists. I'm here for that 😊