Matthew, that is such good advice. I write lists often of things I need to accomplish or remember. Meals, chores, who to call, what to wear. One day, a working around the house Saturday, we were all reporting in 'to the list' and someone said, hey, we also did such and such while we were in that area of the yard. And I was "Great." Grabbed the list, wrote it down, and crossed it off. My family looked at me almost speechless and said "did you just write that on the list and cross it off?" And I say "yes of course....that way we can see how much we did today and feel good about it."
I do LOVE adding things I’ve already done, to my lists. I laugh at myself, while I do it. But it definitely doesn’t stop me. I figure I should get credit for all the things, even when I’m the only one giving the credit!
Interpretations are very revealing about the person speaking on them. Funny how shadows become illuminated by another person’s drive and passion to inspire others to embody their own sense of purpose and will to get things done, especially the freedom that comes with the time to enjoy the rest of the day how you choose. Our minds fill in the blanks with whatever lingers in the shadows of our own personal imaginings.
This is really good advice. I struggle with ADHD and depression and I have found that doing this, when I have the willpower to do it, really makes my days easier and more enjoyable. 100% agree with putting fun stuff on there too. I try to put sitting on my patio and reading with a nice cup of coffee or tea on there, or throw a quick round of video games in between chores and errands as long as I don’t let myself get sucked in.
My favorite cousin, gone too soon, LOVED Matthew. I love seeing his videos as they remind me of her and I've come to ❤ this sweet, wise and caring man too. All the best Matthew ❤ 💙 💜 💖
Really solid advice! When I was my most successful on RU-vid, I was in the habit of writing everything I wanted to do down and that feeling of crossing it off when you finished felt so right. You end up accomplishing more writing things done than if you didn’t. Even if you don’t complete all of them on the list, doing some is better than none. Awesome video!
"This is not a time for indecision. This is not a time for ambivalence. This is a time for commitment, a time for inner resolution, a time to move forward. There are many things you know already you must do. It is time to do them. That is your starting point. Do what you know today and then you will know something tomorrow. Do what you know tomorrow and then you will know something the next day. This is how Knowledge is reclaimed. Whatever you do, whether it is a wise decision or a foolish one, whether you act nobly or in ways that are not beneficial, return to patience, forgiveness, forbearance, observation and re-evaluation-all of the things that make up compassion. Look upon others not with criticism or with self-righteousness, but with the understanding that they, too, are struggling to come to terms with living in a changing world. They, too, are coming to terms with their own failures and their own possibilities for success. The more you see yourself struggling, the more you will understand them and will not be so ready to condemn them or dismiss them. Those who are wise and compassionate have faced their own suffering and have passed through it. Now they can face the suffering of the world and contribute to its resolution-not simply because they have good ideas, but because they have traveled the way and have found resolution and the way out." _Wisdom from the Greater Community, Book 2 » Chapter 18: Compassion_
Brilliant idea to add "fun things" to the list. Years ago an Elder advised me "The first & last thing on your to-do list should always be "Be Grateful!" ". It works! 😉
I started doing this about 2 weeks ago. I have never been this consistent making my bed, cleaning my apartment, doing the dishes, working out and studying, AND also having time to play games. Before, when I had lots of things to do, I got a bit confused and spent too much time thinking about having to do this and that, which ends up in me forgetting about a few things and then remembering them when I go to bed. Since I started, I never forget a thing. I love crossing things off, easy and challenging activities. I've stopped procrastinating tedious responsibilities and my studying is much more structured and efficient. I never made my bed before, now I do it every day. My kitchen could look like trash for days, now I always fix it before hitting the gym, every day. This has changed my life and I have no doubt it'll just skyrocket from here as I am much more motivated, disciplined, happy and consistent.
I agree ! Get a daily /weekly planner going ! Sometimes, depending on the situation, task, and crimes that have been allowed to continue, getting one packet of information together because my computers and eight + cell phones have been ruined, is a miracle.
I’m 76…I’ve been doing this for 40 year! Sometimes (because I have clinical depression) I put brush my teeth on on my list- TWICE! That way at the end of the day I have MORE check marks to count! Who cares what they’re for? I’m the only one who sees this list! Tell my kids I kids I love them! Tell myself I’m doing good! Call one old friend. Visit the older lady down the street. Lay with my dog. Pull ONE weed. Clean my sock drawer. Make a donation. Clean a shelf in the fridge. Clean under the kitchen sink. It’s amazing how much there is to even when you’re RETIRED! Lol But I ALWAYS start and end the day with 3 things For which I am grateful. You, Matthew, are one of those “things.” I live in San Antonio. You actually are a friend’s brother’s friend in Uvalde. He worked with you many years ago. I don’t recall her maiden name but you would have lunch with him, still, when you went home to visit. She bragged about you for that; for remembering your old friends. That was just an early peek at the man you were becoming. JKL! ❤️🌹❤️
Just finished Greenlights Matt. I was blown away. Also impressed with how you're habit of journaling paid you back later in life by providing you with such great stories and detail for an awesome book!
Started doing this a few days ago. I only have 5 things on my list for today, not very much. But I'm trying, and starting. I will keep building and soon hopefully I will get up to 27 things for my list of the day. Also righting down 3 things I'm grateful for each day. Building that positive forward momentum!
Hi Mr. Mac Making lists, my kind of thing. I do like the suggestion of adding fun, simple things, because I have notice sometimes this household takes those things for granted. Keep being the professor we all need. ✍🏼🤘🏼
Folks should think about a gratitude journal too. I have one. Each day I write one thing I am grateful for. One quick prayer. And I read one Bible verse and write down a sentence about my thoughts on it. Quick, simple, mindful, and powerful over time.
A man could not be more awesome...I write it backwards on my forehead with my finger.. Did it with my daughter when she had bad dreams..You are loved ❤
I keep a notebook and a pen near me all the time, in the car, near my bed,…. Not just “to do’s” but abstract ideas, poetry, lyrics, prayers… anything that deserves a pause and not just running through my head.
I've never even thought of writing a list down. I sit in my grief over the lots of my husband now for 5 years. Struggle to find the good in anything, but I always remember, I have my beautiful, 6 year old grandaughter and she makes life worth living.
So sorry for your loss. It might help to do something creative with those emotions and memories- with paint or music or writing. You have a curious mind because you found your way here to this video.
I always start my todo list the day before I have to go to town. It’s such a feeling of accomplishment to get home and all my whole list is crossed off. I never thought of putting fun things on the list, but now I will. Thank you MM for enlightening me, I need all the help I can get.
I actively do this, it really is great advice. I keep one journal and one smaller notepad. I write out my to-do list usually in the morning during my cup of coffee on my smaller notepad and strategize my day on how I'm going to get all that done. At the end of each day, I write out all the good things I've done, as well as the not so good things (such as any bad habits or where I fell short on my list) in my journal. It helps me track things I've done that may be important and want to refer back to later. It's really helpful in pinpointing bad habits or shortcomings so I can figure out why that's happening and develop a plan on how to fix/improve whatevers wrong.
Hi Mr. Mac It’s a great time and a good reminder to do another one of these. I recently reminded myself and kids. My Grandfather taught me this when I backpacked through Europe after I graduated. 💚💚💚
I've loved reading everyone's comments just as much as this video! I would also suggest keeping a common-place book, where you can record thoughts, big ideas/projects, quotes, whatever you want to document.
Don’t forget to stop and celebrate all you have done for the day. Celebrate before you go right back into the “ok what’s next now”. Stop and appreciate what you’ve done. ✌🏽💜
Great advice I’ll definitely take these words going forward before going to bed each night I’ll think about what I have to do the next morning and even if it’s not 10am yet 😂😂😂😂😂 I can sure as hell get 50 million things done. Make a to-do list with 5-10 tasks chuck down notes and tick them off when I’m done ✅, ✅,✅,✅,✅,✅. Then 5-6 tasks later I’ve already done them all. Now 4 more left and my to-do list is complete capeesh.
Dear Matthew, I know you may not see this comment, let alone respond to it. However, I just want to let you know that you are a true inspiration! I very much enjoyed listening to your audio book "Greenlight;" it was indeed an epic chef-d'oeuvre that greenlit my life in such uncertain, yet very hopeful, times. I am a great admirer of your artistic endeavors, both literary and filmography, and I look forward to meeting you one day. Until then, I'll be putting to great use the valuable insights you are sharing with the world, especially the youth. This was on my today's list, so I just crossed it off-and it feels so great!!! Haha. P.s: I live in the U.S, but I am originally from Guinea, a neighboring country of the Republic of Mali (the country you visited and related in your book).
That's a great strategy. I just did this last night. Normally easier to sleep when you do that. 😁 I haven't put the fun stuff to do on my lists yet....maybe I should.
Love it! It is amazing how much we get done every day. A to-do list you can cross off is tremendously satisfying, especially for days where not as much seems accomplished.
My husband and I just had this conversation a day or two ago! He was naming off all the things he had to remember to do the next day. I told him write it down so you can forget about it till it comes time to do it. Then you also have the satisfaction of crossing it off once it's been completed.
I use a list on my day off. More I can cross , the more time I have on the weekends to day drink, read , watch movies and my life feels carefree. I also only do chores for 3 hours. Then I stop until next time. But, no sitting or stopping for 3 hours. U will be surprised how much you get done .
Wow such great advice!! I’d never thought about doing such an easy thing! Who would’ve thought Mathew would be our saviour with such great teachings! Thanks Mafyou Mechanical!!
One of the biggest regrets of my life is burning years' worth of journals, written daily from June 1992 to December 1996... Before I burned them tho, I opened one at random, and it was about an Aerosmith show in 1994 when I got asked backstage, but I didn't go because "they're old." Ah, there's the actual biggest regret of my life, lol. I've always been too mature for good fun; that's a bad, bad habit to break.
I love a To Do list. I work with a daily planner. I have the things that need to be done plus projects I want to work on. Some days have longer lists than others but I look forward to accomplishing ahead so I can take a full day off mid-week. Loving your advice. Creative Blessings!
Great advice. I also have days where things pop up that have to be handled but were not on my list. Put those on there and cross them off. Then you will feel better about accomplishing something.
Amazing advice! Many thanks. I never put simple things on my list, but it is also part of my daily life. And this takes time! It's important to see it 💯
