The next step.

This is the second in a series of three re-posts about setting goals, finding joy, and not going crazy in the meantime.  Thank you for all the lovely comments yesterday -- so much to ponder, I really appreciate the time spent by each of you to give such thoughtful responses.  (And yesterday's giveaway lasts through Thursday night, so there's still time to add your comment to the mix.)

Before we go further with the list, there is another list I need to get off my chest.  All the things I do, the choices I make, are informed by a few basic principles:

I love making stuff.

I believe that just because I love making stuff does not entitle me to make whatever stuff I want.

I wish everyone who wanted to make stuff could make stuff.

(I'm pretty sure I've used the word "earnest" to describe myself.  It fits here, no?)

So, back to Monday....  First I made a list of all the things I want to do.  I noted the items I was already doing.  (I wrote "DO!" next to them, as in "Hooray for me!"  A * would work nicely for normal people.)  Then I made another list -- of categories I could divide my first list into.  Most of the items on my original list fit into the following groups:

• traditions
• family
• marriage
• home
• correspondence
• personal

You might use some of these, you might have others.  I suggest keeping the categories to six or less, so you can keep better track of them.  (Plus, you may end up having some sub-categories, which could get a little overwhelming if you're not focused on the big picture.)

I was glad I'd written my original list in the front of a notebook, because I was able to use the subsequent pages for my categories.  I wrote a category at the top of each page, and then under it:  Do and Do More.  For example:

Again, I lived with the list for awhile before making any changes.  We all make choices, and those choices can be narrowed by our circumstances -- my need to live creatively fits inside a life with two kids, a very old house, and a 16-year-old small business.  Some days I only have time to dwell, not do.  So I let the list sit for awhile.  I eventually added Do Later for the things that weren't as important to me, or were more difficult to fit into my current life.  (Mailing baked goods once a month to surprise friends is an awesome idea...but not one that's going to happen anytime soon.  I'm okay with that!)

Go back to your list.  Devise some categories.  Give yourself a * for what you're already doing.  Then go for a walk, see if the peonies are blooming yet, make dinner and forget about the list until tomorrow.  (Yes, there's more!)