Inbox Press Conference
Hello and welcome. First let me thank you for attending this press conference on such short notice.
As you may have heard, I’m speaking to you today on behalf of the Quintessential Union of Inboxes and To Do Lists, more commonly referred to by its acronym, QUIT.
For many years now, the members of QUIT have quietly performed their duties as holders of things to be done. As inboxes and to do lists, they believe this to be their sole purpose in life. They also believe they have fulfilled this purpose admirably, but lately they’ve come to believe they are being misunderstood and subsequently misused.
For instance, many of you, our members feel, have unjustly blamed them for some of the following:
- fatigue
- headaches
- marital discord
- feelings of despair
- loss of zeal
- derailed dreams
- limited time with loved ones
- an overall malaise
- a sense of meaninglessness
This is not an exhaustive list, but I think it illustrates the myriad of misfortunes that have been credited to the members of QUIT.
They have asked me to remind you of what they believe to be a fundamental truth. That is that you are in charge of what they contain. As stated before, they are mere holders. They accept no responsibility for the things you ask them to hold. They play no role in deciding what tasks are placed into them or written on them. Such decision making power has always belonged to you.
For those of you who spend your time complaining about them, they wish to assure you they receive no joy from seeing your scowls or watching you grow increasingly more stressed.
If it were up to them, they would prefer to see you excited about the things they have in store for you each day. It is their contention that this would make their jobs far more easy and improve the relationships you have with them.
They fully understand that you have responsibilities, but they also believe many of you are failing to meet your most important responsibility which is to determine your greatest gifts and deepest passions and share them with others.
They wish me to ask you to take some time to think before filling them beyond capacity with things you later grow to resent.
At their last meeting, they composed two lists they’d like me to share with you today.
The first is a list of things they’d prefer you not ask them to hold. They include:
- pointless meetings
- unnecessary routines
- meaningless tasks
- actions that can easily be delegated
- petty concerns
- all other fruitless wastes of time
The second is a list of things they would be thrilled to hang onto until you’re ready to address them. These include:
- intriguing puzzles
- interesting ideas
- energizing challenges
- new explorations
- appointments with loved ones and fascinating people
- opportunities for reflection and renewal
- all other fruitful uses of your time
QUIT is requesting that you stop wasting their time and yours, and they’re asking you to start using them for their intended purpose which is to assist you in the creation and implementation of a life worth living fully.
The point, they believe, is not to grind them down to zero through the use of a hyper-efficient process. People, they would like me to remind you, can become very efficient at doing meaningless things.
Instead, the members of the Quintessential Union of Inboxes and To Do Lists suggest you try filling them with items so appealing you just can’t wait to begin them even if they frighten you. By doing this, you will ensure both their continued employment and your increased enjoyment.
Once again, I thank you for attending this press conference and I will now open the floor to questions in the comments section below. Thank you.
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
If my to do list could talk, I’m sure I’d hear something vaguely similar. An enjoyable and educational read – double whammy for you!
Delicious !
Re the list of things they would like to be relieved of, I would add:
# Unnecessary but required social events, evenings and weekends, which cause them extra expense and impinge on their free time.
Thank you QUIT for this public service announcement. I’m so pleased I could make it to this press conference.
I’m reminded to make my lists work for me (and the vision I have for my life) and not falling into working for my list.
Is this microphone on? Thank you for taking my questions: How does QUIT suggest we handle tasks that need doing but are not so inspiring? Bookkeeping, picking up the dogs poo in the yard, or getting your teeth cleaned, that kind of thing.
Excellent question. QUIT would simply point out that the tasks you mentioned are neither fruitless nor meaningless unless you find some deep meaning in bad records, lost income, runaway expenses, audits, penalties, the feel of dog droppings between your toes, and the captivating look of canary yellow teeth.
Having said that, QUIT would also encourage you to take some time to determine if your time couldn’t be better spent doing things that call on your strenghts and thus bring you a larger return on investment. If so, things such as book keeping and doggy duty can be outsourced, freeing you to do the things that earn you the greatest return. Of course, unless you’re wearing dentures, you’ll need to be present for the teeth cleaning.
Am glad I stumbled upon this press conference this morning – will relook at my to do list and wield my red pencil fearlessly.
Inboxes are another story – since that translates as most horizontal surfaces in my studio. Arggh! Another day – I’ll put that on my to do list.
Re Acountability 101 – YEA CONGRATULATIONS! This sister is very proud and knew you would get there!
I think that was the first sign that it was time to quit my day job (a job I once was passionately in love with) – everything in my in box bored me to tears.
I think there are many people who can relate to that. Thanks for sharing that, Heather.
Thank you for your brilliantly written reminder! Sometimes it’s easy to forget you are the one responsible. I’ve been testing out some different ways to keep track of all the stuff I really want to do while juggling and whistling and feeling in control at the same time.
Unfortunately, I’ve discovered it’s not something you can set and forget. It takes a little diligence.