“Things”

I have a to-do list app; this app is called "Things." If I were visited by a ghost of the future, and they asked me about the three moments in my life that have most drastically changed it, first, I'd say, "Who are you, and what are you doing in my house?" But then, I'd give in and admit that one of those moments was when I downloaded the app "Things."

"Things" isn't complex or elaborate; it's actually very simple. 1. Write your task. 2. Check the box once it's done. It started off simple: gym, meetings, deadlines, etc. But now, my daily to-dos can get somewhat… over the top and… personal. Groom here, go there, call this person at exactly 10:15 am, and so forth, down to the schedule of my nose hair trimming. Now, can this get a bit much? Yes, of course. Do I mind it? Never.

I believe the more you can see and plan the minutes of your day, the more control you have over your life. Thus, you bridge the gap between your ideal self and your current self. Start by imagining where you want to be in, let's say, 10 years. Not just what kind of job you want or where you might be in your career, no. Imagine what you want to look like, exactly. The kind of house you'll have, does it have a pool? Do you have kids? How many? Any hobbies, pottery, soccer on Sunday nights? Where do you spend your summers or winters? What kind of clothes are you wearing to work? How about on the weekends?

If you don’t know, figure it out.

The more lit up the house at the end of the driveway, the easier it is for you to get there.

Listen, this isn’t supposed to fuel you with anxiety or pressure, quite the opposite. By adding certainty to your life, you inevitably reduce uncertainty, which is the main proponent of anxiety.

“If goodness is order, evil must be disorder. The straight path or the maze…” - Eugene Ionesco

It's supposed to be fun, the map you get to start your adventure, like a little kid playing house. Can these things change? Of course, they can, and I hope they will. But you have to be aiming for something today. By doing so, you allow yourself the permission to fail at things, and figure out the destination most ideal for you.

You know, I think at the end of the day, humans need a sense of specificity. Our minds work in too far of an animalistic manner to survive based on broad tendencies. Why aren’t our sports teams just categorized by colors? Why do we insist on the Philadelphia Eagles? Or the Miami Heat? Blue team or red team would serve the same purpose, would it not? The specificity makes it real, unique, something you can reach out and touch, plus it's fun.

So how can you really start the journey if you don’t know where you're going?