I’m thinking about changing up how I keep track of my to-dos each day.

Probably everyone has a method for making sure they remember what they have to do. Some people have everything organized in their steel trap of a mind. But not everyone can remember all the little things they either need to or want to get done in a day.

That’s were a system comes in handy.

The tried and true method is to write things down on a piece of paper and mark them off when they are done.

In our day and age we can do that but we also have the luxury of tracking to-dos electronically. We can make lists on our phone or computer or tablet. 

For a long time I’ve gravitated to the digital method. I have an app on my phone, tablet and computer that instantly is updated regardless of what device I’m using at the time. 

Over the last several months, however, I’ve gravitated to the more traditional method. I write out my list and check each item off with a pen.

I’ve noticed a couple of things during this time: 

First, I really like scratching several lines through a task I’ve completed AND making a big check mark beside it. There is something satisfying about doing that, more satisfying than merely clicking the item on my phone and having it disappear. 

I actually like to see the things I’ve completed. I somehow get pleasure in it. Just having a shorter list in front of me doesn’t give me the same sense of accomplishment.

It’s like playing hockey as a kid versus playing hockey as an adult. 

In some kids’ leagues they don’t post the real score, presumably to not discourage the kids. But believe me, when my son was a kid, he didn’t need a score board to know whether his team was winning or losing. 

As adults we like to see the score on the screen. It’s comforting to see a lead building up or to visualize that you just have one goal to catch up.

Every scratch and check mark I make is like I scored another goal. I am defeating the list. 

The second thing I noticed is I don’t like having to write everything out again every day. Nor do I like having to keep the paper with me. 

I want to make my list and, if I have to roll things over to the next day, I don’t want to have to write them out again. I also want to see it on all my devices.

You can’t do that with paper.

So with my recent desire to obliterate each of my to-dos with a heavy line that almost tears through the paper, and my aversion to writing things out again and again, I’m experimenting with a change.

I may go to a hybrid method where I have my to-dos on an electronic list, but also print a copy that I can rough up, check into the boards and score some goals on.

Here’s the thing: Like with our to-dos, we may at times feel we need to change things with our time with God. You can keep doing the same thing, but if your time with God is not satisfying, find a way to change it a little. Try a different time of day, journaling, writing out your prayer, using a devotional guide, or a different one. Don’t keep doing the same thing expecting different results. We all know what that’s a definition of.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What do you need to consider doing differently? Leave your comments and questions below.

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