If you could plan a day that you actually were excited about living, what would it look like? What would you be doing?
I don’t mean a fantasy day, or a vacation day, or sleep all-day day (well maybe a sleep all-day, day is worth considering.) I mean a functional day where you meet your responsibilities, care for yourself properly, nurture the relationships that are important to you, and spend your time as perfectly as possible.
The psychologist Jordan Peterson talks about making the calendar serve us, and not the other way around; not being a slave to the calendar, instead making the calendar serve you by planning days that you actually want to live, that you are excited about making happen. I think this is a cool idea. So what keeps us from falling onto the trap of being a slave to the calendar?
It begins with vision. Remember, anything worthwhile begins with a worthy goal, a future state that is worth working/suffering for. So, planning out days that you want to live is a natural extension of your daily 365 list, where you list what is most important to you and prioritize; this is a focusing, visioning, balancing, and planning process. Teaching yourself to use a calendar in a way that helps you make your list a reality so smart! You can connect your activities directly to your life goals! So, maybe you “Get to” go to work because doing so supports your life goal of having a roof over your head and food to eat. Yes, I am shifting perspective here, but only toward things that matter. The “Get To” mindset simply doesn’t work for things that don’t matter. Well, if you are bent on self destruction then I suppose it could, however that is sad and dysfunctional. So, let’s assume you re oriented properly toward the highest good, toward making things better, and reducing unnecessary suffering.
If a calendar activity supports a life goal, then it is a “Get To” not a “Have To.” That activity may suck, so to speak, but if it moves you toward a meaningful goal, then it is a “Get To.” You are in charge of where you are going. If you are doing something that feels like a “Have To” take a look at your goals. It it’s moving you toward an important goal then change your attitude about it and see it as a “Get To!” If it’s not then stop doing it!
Yep, it is a mind game, and the mind game is where it is at. Using a calendar to serve your goals is a way to get clarity on how to you spend your time. Planning how you spend your time will maximize your ability to realize your goals.
Enjoying a morning cup of coffee with a friend or loved one takes on more meaning when you consciously plan it and do it in light of building/maintaining relationship. Taking a day of rest and reflection is powerful when you plan it and do it because rest and reflection and “re-creating” yourself are important goals for you. Working your butt off on an important project is a “Get To” when you frame it is realizing a future state you desire.
So, use a calendar to create days that you want to live, that you are excited about living!
Ben Wagner (134)
Member The 365 Commitment
