The Infinite To Do List

For about 23 years of my life, I thought the To-Do List was pointless. When I was in school, I kept everything in my head and would go class by class trying to figure out what homework and exams I had — sometimes relying on communication with those around me about whether a certain assignment was due. Interestingly enough my middle school and high school teachers often posted assignments and due dates online, which eliminated the need for the to do list. They did the work for me.

Past this It’s hard for me to remember how I exactly operated before 2022 but I could confidently say, organization and prioritization were NOT in my DNA. I was never known as being responsible. One of the critiques my Wall Street Boss provided to me was that I lacked the understanding of the concept of a routine — and it would be helpful to pick some up.

This is why I tell everyone from March to April of 2022 I literally spent trying to just be organized and put myself through a personal bootcamp of making my bed, cooking breakfast, cold shower, clean room, and even scheduling TV watching. I just wanted a regular regimen of sorts to keep myself in check. Full self-improvement project suggested by no one except myself. It was needed, and honestly, it kinda worked.

That one month served as the new version of me that I have continually built upon for the past 3+ years.

There is 1 element of my life that serves as a constant reminder of this new level of organization I exhibit. It’s not the deep itch to reorganize my family kitchen when my parents go away from a month nor the deeper itch for my bags to be completely empty if unused.

No, it’s much simpler than that.

The To-Do List

I make to-do lists every day. It’s hardwired into my body. I need them to effectively get work done. Without them, something will get forgotten or I’ll feel lost and dejected. I don’t think about making them. I use them as a way to stop thinking about what I have to do and start doing the task at hand. Otherwise, focusing on the task at hand becomes quite difficult.

However, the To-Do List can be quite dangerous.

It’s not the daily to-do lists I create. Those are typically quite innocent.

But it’s the longer term to-do lists / life goals that sit there for 6 months rotting away day by day. The list of

• Book Summer Trip

• Take Salsa Dance Class (Tim Ferris inspired + studio 2 minute walk from APT)

• Learn Photography

• Join a Gym

• Buy new clothing

These are not a true to-do list, but rather a vague wish-list that in my experience is no closer to actually doing the item. It may actually create an opposite effect by overwhelming me and preventing me from doing that thing. Ask my mom about the “Buy New Clothing” item haha [full transparency I’m waiting to complete microplastics research — which has itself been on the to-do list for months].

These To-Do list items clog up the important work and then I face the thought that oh my gd, I have so much to do I don’t know if I can do it all.

Otherwise known as the Infinite To do List Syndrome.

The way I solve for the above problem is simple. I close my computer, go into another room, and rewrite my major life priorities I’ve regurgitated to myself over and over and over again. Those 3 priorities give me the framework to properly prioritize for the day moving forward.

Just yesterday I thought about my to-do list for about 25 minutes on the train not knowing how to tackle it. Upon arrival to my workspace yesterday, in about 30 seconds of stillness and silence I figured out what I needed to do. Sometimes it’s that simple. Other times it’s extremely difficult as 15 things are all urgent and high priority. But dig deeper - and don’t think too hard. Next thing you know those tasks will be in the rearview mirror.

Take action. Do more. Step out of your comfort zone. Convert the important items of the to-do list the “I did list.”

Final Note

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.

One side of my head says take a few days off the blog for Memorial Day. The other Casey Neissat side says once you take one day off it’s all over.

So I carry forward here. I’m going to the Met Game tomorrow. Rocking my Yankees Hat. More stories to come.

-Jack