"Writers should not make TO DO lists"
–
what? Gasp! This can’t be right. I almost close the book that suggests this,
but I have agreed with much of what the author has said to this point. I’ll keep reading.
A bit of background; I believe in TO DO lists.
I start my day by making a list. TO DO
lists can be wonderful for simple endeavors – laundry is laundry and if it is
on my list then folding the last clean item and putting it in the drawer means
I can cross laundry off my list. Simple. I use my lists for more complex goals as
well. And I monitor how well they
work. And they do work for me. So I doubt that I will swear off them, but I
read on.
“You can all but feel a whip being
cracked at your rear, can’t you? (When
faced with a To Do list) Instead, set yourself up with daily
intentions…”
Hmmm, I think. Are they not the same thing? But as I read the different examples of a TO
DO list and a list of intentions I begin to understand. The difference lies in the intensity and
achievability. And there is a good point
being made about the creative process. Creativity
does poorly in response to the pressure of hard and fast goals. The intention
list serves as a friendly nudge in the right direction.
So, I am happy I can still use lists
but I will switch to a kinder and gentler list of intentions to help me fill the empty page.
