To-do or to-be?

We're all familiar with the idea of having to-do lists. Some of us have such lists and others don't, deciding to wing it every day. Although I have my to-do lists and find such organizing tools helpful, I have learned that a daily to-be list helps me have a more sacred sense about my day. Similar to the Mussar concept I talked about here before, focusing on qualities I want to develop on a daily basis forms a much more desirable bedrock upon which to live my life.

One day the quality might be compassion both for myself and others. Another day it could be focus or love or organization.

My personal new year starts in a week or so. This is the time I usually look at goals for the upcoming 12 months. I ask myself what do I want to accomplish in the next year in various areas of my life, personal and professional. This year I'm doing it differently. Rather than focusing on what I want to accomplish, I am focusing on who I want to become. What qualities do I want more of in my life and which ones do I want to let go of?

This doesn't mean I won't have goals in terms of getting things done - I have tons of projects I'm working and playing with. It means that my focus will be more on who I am becoming rather than what I am doing. The doing will flow from the being.

I invite you to try this approach to your day and experience what a difference it makes in how you feel about your life.