How to tackle that never ending TO-DO list
How many times have you had a list of things to do and that list just keeps getting longer and longer and longer?
"most of the times I wouldn't have a clue where to even start and, to be honest, in the end would hardly get anything done"
Just thinking of it makes me feel very anxious. When this would happen to me, most of the times I wouldn't have a clue where to even start and, to be honest, in the end would hardly get anything done, as all I would end up doing instead is just stress about this never ending TO - DO list.
Sounds familiar? Been there too? It is so overwhelming isn't it?
But does it have to be this way?
I think not! And what if I told you there was a solution to this? Now please hear me out. Although initially it may sound airy fairy to some of you, bear with me and I will try and explain it in a more "earthy" way.
Emotional Guidance Scale
In 2016, I came across the teachings of Abraham - Hicks and read a book called "Ask and it is given" by Esther and Jerry Hicks. In this book, the authors explain a process referred to as the Emotional Guidance Scale, explaining that our emotions can be ranked on a scale of 22 emotions with joy, love, appreciation ranking the highest emotions (emotions number 1) while fear, grief, depression ranking the lowest on the scale (emotions number 22). The emotion in which you are at any given moment is referred to a your Emotional Set-Point. The full list of emotions can be found at the end of this post.
As everything in life, we are not looking for quick fixes, but gradual, sustainable progress.
How does the process work? Well, you identify your current emotional set-point, which will be one of the 22 emotions on the emotional scale guidance. Then, for each number on the scale, a corresponding process is available for you to follow so you can proactively activate better felling thoughts which in turn will activate a better emotion, thus moving you to a higher ranking emotional set-point.
As everything in life, we are not looking for quick fixes, but gradual, sustainable progress. So please allow yourself time to gradually move up the scale, settling in to each new emotion before moving on to the next process, and, celebrate those small wins; it is not always easy!
The Place Mat Process
So back to our topic! And what does the emotional guidance system have to do with the long to-do list? One of the processes outlined by Esther and Jerry Hicks is called the Place Mat Process and is considered to be of most value when you are ranging anywhere between the emotions (2) Passion and (11) Overwhelment.
The Place Mat Process involves taking a piece of paper and splitting it into two (i.e. just draw a line in the middle of the paper). On the left side label the side "THINGS I WILL DO TODAY" and on this side list those things you will do today, i.e. those things you intend to or must do today.
Anything added to the left side of the page, requires you being realistic and honest, and should include only those things you plan to, want to and can do today.
Anything else will go on the right hand side of the page which will be labelled "THINGS I WOULD LIKE THE UNIVERSE TO DO".
Now whether or not you believe the universe will actually be doing things for you, doesn't really matter. What is important here is being able to release any anxiety related to a long list of tasks and splitting them into small manageable blocks. By including on the left side only those tasks you will and can do today, helps see things through another lens and one of more ease. And this ultimately allows you to remain focused and work towards completing this smaller list of tasks.
From my own experience, I can share that whenever I use this process, I am always pleasantly surprised that whatever does get assigned to the right side magically does get done. It's as if things align perfectly and someone offers to help you, you have a random (or not) discussion that offers you information to easily complete a task, the task is no longer required etc. Either way, the tasks get done in some way or another.
Sounds great right? Why not give it a try?
Below is a free template created especially for you by My Magic Diary to download, so you can implement the place mat process in an easy way. You can save this template directly to your phone or computer and add your tasks directly to it. You can even tick off those tasks completed by you or the universe!
The placemat process MMD
.pdf
Download PDF • 1.27MB
The Scale of emotions
The full list of emotions as described in the book Ask and it is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks are:
Joy/Knowledge/Empowerment/Freedom/Love/Appreciation
Passion
Enthusiasm/Eagerness/Happiness
Positive Expectation/Belief
Optimism
Hopefulness
Contentment
Boredom
Pessimism
Frustration/Irritation/Impatience
"Overwhelment"
Disappointment
Doubt
Worry
Blame
Discouragement
Anger
Revenge
Hatred/Rage
Jealousy
Insecurity/Guilt/Unworthiness
Fear/Grief/Depression/Despair/Powerlessness
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