6 Most Important Things

Mary Kay Ash encouraged her sales force members to make a list each night of the 6 Most Important Things to do the following day. Not a giant to-do list of everything; just the 6 Most Important. Then, she instructed those ladies to get up earlier than usual (preferably before everyone else), and do those 6 Most Important Things right away, before doing anything else. That gives one a real sense of accomplishment--at the very start of each day! And also, you know that each day, the really important things are getting done and not getting pushed to the next day(s).

I'm going to try my best at this! Accomplishing tasks is not difficult for me--it's the getting-up-early part that I so struggle with! This morning, for example, when my alarm went off at 7:30, I got up and turned it off & went back to bed. My brain was so fuzzy that I couldn't bear the idea of dragging my tired body all over the house! Plus, I reasoned, I don't have many more weeks of full nights' sleep! Well, the next time I looked at the clock, it was 8:40. Livvie was awake already, and the day got off to a rrrrrrreally slow start. I didn't get much done today. I hate days like that.

So here's my list of 6 Most Important Things for tomorrow morning. This is what I want to do before Olivia wakes:

1) Read Bible & pray.
2) Shower & dress for the day.
3) Fold clean laundry.
4) Get white laundry load started.
5) Clean the bathroom.
6) E-mail Rachel.

The whole list probably won't take more than an hour, but what a difference it will make in my mindset & mood, for sure! I'll be able to teach & play with Olivia without feeling guilty about my endless to-do list. And even if I don't do a single other household task, at least I'll know that these 6 Most Important Things did get done.

I'm going to set my alarm for 7:20. Wish me luck...and self-discipline! I'm off to set the coffee pot timer.