Thursday Thought · The Dementia Lifeboat

Dementia Lifeboat

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Thursday Thought

Is your "To-Do" list bullying you?

Does it tell you on the regular how worthless and behind you are?

Do you feel guilty and overwhelmed every time you look at it or think about it?

If so, you are missing the point.

Entirely.

I mean what is the point of a "To Do" list anyway?

Why do we make them or keep them running in our minds?

We do this because we are an advanced species of mammals who have the capacity to think and then plan ahead.

My dogs can't do this. This ability is a huge advantage over canines, felines, or chimpanzees.

But when we use it against ourselves, we use our advantage to create a huge disadvantage.

Because from guilt and overwhelm we aren't motivated to do more. We are actually driven to do even less because guilt and overwhelm already feel awful and NOW doing that less than fun task on your "To Do" list is WAY harder to get started.

When your dog takes a nap, she never feels guilty. If you feel guilty when you take a nap, your dog is winning.

Everyone I coach on this topic thinks the answer is to get more done. Check off the "To Do" list. Beat down the bully once and for all.

But what they are missing is the awareness that the list is in fact not mean or powerful unless they make it so in their minds.

And when you decide instead that none of the items on that list really matter (because I assure you they don't), but that you are allowed to just do stuff in your life if you want to (because I assure you that you are), then you tap into your own well of motivation, creativity, and get-up-and-go.

So, when you end the suffering over not doing enough, you will ironically be inspired to do so, so, so much more.

And that's something your sweet dog can never do.

You genuinely don't HAVE to do any of it.

But if you want to, you can write it down, plan ahead and get it done and that, my friend, makes you amazing. Period.

Have a beautiful holiday!

Thank you,

@Jocelyn Ives

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