A positive mindset is a powerful thing. Our thoughts shape our feelings, and our feelings influence our actions.
Lately, I’ve been realizing how much my mindset plays into my attitude and my behaviors. I’ve also been working on changing my negative thoughts before they turn into negative attitudes or behaviors.
For example, I know I’m someone who needs to feel productive, so I’ve been working on changing my mindset around getting things done. I’m letting myself consider everything I do a task that I can cross off my to-do list.
On the latest 1N5 of Us podcast, my guest told me a trick she uses to make to-do lists work for her. Instead of writing out lists of things she needs to get done, she’ll write lists of things she’s already gotten done and whatever big task she has to accomplish that day. I’m a big fan of planners and planning my days and weeks out, but I’ve learned that when I’m too strict on my to-do lists, I feel guilty if I don’t get everything done. Instead, I’m working on making a flexible plan with things I have scheduled out and adding in small, doable tasks to fill up the day. As I add in other things, I write them down on my daily task list after I finish them, not before. At the end of the day, I’m left with a long list of everything I’ve done from getting out of bed to finishing a big project I’ve been working on.
I’ve been doing this for about a week, and I feel so accomplished and haven’t felt guilty for not getting one particular task done because I can look back and see everything else I did on that day.
As someone who experiences toxic productivity, which I’ve written about in the past, finding ways to prove to myself that I can be productive outside of work is so valuable. It’s been helping me set better boundaries, recognize my own worth, and feel accomplished even after a slow day.
Mindset is such a valuable tool to help shape the way you approach your daily life. Sometimes it can be easier to work backward and start with changing an action to help change your mindset like I’m doing with my lists, but do whatever works best for you!
As always, stay safe + stay healthy.
Xo,
Kayla W