by Mary Nitzsche
I am a list maker. Having a weekly plan for how to use my time brings order and structure to my life. I maintain two lists: one for household and one for work-related tasks. Since semi-retiring a year ago, my work list has shortened while my household list has increased to include items for which I did not have or take time while working more hours. To remain sane, I learned the practice of dividing household tasks and errands among weekdays, rather than relegating everything to the weekend. Crossing off an item on my list brings me great satisfaction. What happens if I don’t get everything on my list done because I lack energy, motivation, or time? What if an unexpected and higher priority situation emerges? Do I beat up on myself? I have learned the importance of offering myself grace to save unfinished tasks for another day without belittling or judging my self-worth or value.
I recently listened to a podcast that reframed the “to-do list” differently. Rather than focusing on what could be accomplished to feel good about oneself, the focus was on one’s values. When making a list for the day, the question becomes: “What do I need to do today that reflects my values?”
I share some of my values and ways they might create my “to-do list”:
- Living in the present moment prompts me to ask: What are one or two things that might bring me joy and delight today?
- Connecting with others prompts me to ask: How do I want to connect with family, friends, neighbors, church family, or people I meet today?
- Caring for myself prompts me to ask: What will promote my well-being today?
- Respecting creation by how I live and act prompts me to ask: How might my living today honor and sustain creation?
- Expressing gratitude prompts me to ask: What am I thankful for, and how will I express gratitude today?
- Taking time to reflect on my life prompts me to ask: What can I learn and change in the experiences I had today or this week? How will I enact what I learn from my mistakes?
- Living simply prompts me to ask: What is my fair share today and how will my actions and decisions reflect this balance?
- Serving others prompts me to ask: Lord, who are you nudging me to serve today and how can I serve them for their well-being?
While I admit my list seems lofty and rather ideal, it frames list-making in a way that prioritizes my values. The laundry, meal preparation, cleaning, and grocery shopping needs to be done each week, but my values will guide how I carry out these actions.
Jesus told Martha, who had a long to-do list, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing” (Luke 10:41-42a, NRSV). Jesus seemed to be encouraging Martha to focus on what she valued. I believe Jesus also invites us to give priority each day to what we value rather than on accomplishing all we can.
What would your “to-do list” look like if it was created with your primary values in mind?
Mary Nitzsche
Mary Nitzsche is a Leadership Minister for Mosaic Conference. She and her husband, Wayne, are Midwest natives. They have two adult daughters, Alison and Megan, son-in-laws, Michael and David, and one delightful grandson, William.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.