Let’s get this straight . . . I am not a quitter!  When I start something, I almost always finish it.  Recently, however, I’ve been stressing about some unfinished items on my “to do” list and it’s been weighing heavily on me.  So rather than stress about it any more, I decided to just confront each of those items and determine:  Worth Doing! or Just Give up!

Although my “to do” list is long and varied, I’ve listed three that might resonate with most of you:

The “must read” book:  Several clients suggested I would love a particular self-help book.  I appreciated their suggestion and eagerly started reading the book.  Then stopped reading it.  Then started again.  Then stopped again.  I’m on page 29 and it’s been nagging at me for over two months.  Clearly the message isn’t resonating with me.  Decision:  Just Give Up!

Ramping up business marketing:  On this one I’m a bit of a procrastinator.  I know I need to do it, but there just hasn’t been an immediate need.  I put this on my “to do” list in May.  Clearly it’s not urgent, but it’s important:  Decision:   Worth Doing!

New Year’s Goals:   It’s October.  If my New Year’s goals (not resolutions) haven’t been important up to this point, they probably are not worth stressing over:  Decision:  Just Give Up!

I’m certain everyone has a “to do” list of things they must do, want to do, or are expected to do. When we put items on our lists, they were important at the time, but that doesn’t mean they are still important. Every “to do” list ebbs and flows:  time and necessity are the drivers.

My suggestion is to take some time to determine if those “to do” items are guiding you to success or causing you too much stress.  Whatever the outcome, it’s worth the exercise.