I find it amazing how humans can get along because of the differences in our general makeup.
For instance, a friend of mine 
is an addicted list maker, and I am bumping the other extreme known fondly as ‘flying by the seat of my pants’.
At one time in my life I did make lists of things to do and things that I might want to do, and things that I should do but may not, and then a list of all my lists. I received such joy in scratching out those things I had accomplished. The down side was when I looked at the things I hadn’t accomplished and couldn’t believe I still had pages of items to do!
My habit was broken (somewhat painfully I might add) when I took off for a year to travel and ‘be’. My husband asked me to spend the year ‘letting things happen rather than making things happen’. I assured him that would not be a problem and I could ‘drift’ comfortably.
I was wrong. There was nothing comfortable or easy about letting things just happen. It was a challenge to float through life, not making plans about where we would be each night, where we would eat each day, what we would do…oh my, I lost control!
I had never thought about how much planning I did and how safe and secure I felt thinking I had some control. The transition took a long time, and I can’t say it was always fun, but the rewards were marvelous. I began to listen to myself, ‘feeling’ my way through situations rather than just plowing forward with a preset goal in mind.
Some would say this is not a good way to live. Who are we if we don’t have goals, a road map for our lives, clearly defined objectives? I learned the value of taking time to put an ear to my inner longings and follow the paths that are far more satisfying and exciting than if I had planned every step of the way.
I concede that there are times when I miss the thrill I received when in my list-making days
I would do something that wasn’t on the list. I would immediately put it on the list just so I could scratch it off! Such a sense of accomplishment!
But overall, I like the tension that is created when I let go of the outcome and live in the moment. That’s much easier when you turn your cell phone off, unplug the computer, and find a log to crawl under so as not to be disturbed by every day living!
Of course, I wouldn’t get half as much done, but that begs the question: Did it really need to get done in the first place?
Are you a list maker? What would your life be like if you didn’t make lists?
that little voice 
I’m an addicted list maker, and I absolutely add something I’ve already done for the pleasure of crossing it off! But I’d love to take a travel/just be year. I’m going to add that to my bucket list… 😉
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I recommend it, but you probably need to be gone for at least a couple of months in order to embrace the new non-planning behavior.
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I am guilty of making list that never get done. I put post it notes on one of my kitchen cupboards of things I want to get done. I really think I put them there to hide the ugly door, everyday I see them i think to myself, when should I start those? Then I move on to something else, that is how I started this blog..lol
You made me smile today..thank you!
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You are welcome. As the holidays draw nearer lists become a higher priority . I like the idea of hiding an ugly door with post-it notes. I may try that on my bathroom mirror to lessen the shock of seeing the remnants of a pillow battle every morning.
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Our tension comes from a marriage of a compulsive list-maker and planner to a free-wheeling, seat of the pants, turn-left- if-something-looks-interesting-down-that-road kind of girl. He makes the plan and then I turn left. We somehow manage to get along anyway.
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Yes, as long as you remain flexible. I find it feels much more fun to let things happen. Thanks for your response.
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I used to like a list, and that feeling of crossing things off, but not obsessively. Now I think perhaps I should just put what I have already done on the list. Not cross anything off which only triggers yet another list.
One list of positives could be very motivating, I feel!
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I like lists but they are a tool I do not let them define me. Crossing off items is not a bigger for me. My lists consolidates my thoughts but I do not use it as a calendar or measure of how well a day has gone. I have children so I need a measure of organisation and a dose of spontaneity. enjoyed reading your post – give me some things to think about. Thanks
http://singleparentfinancialguide.wordpress.com/
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Thanks for your response. That’s a good thought: let the lists be a source of organization. But then I would have to get organized.
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I love lists so much that my blog is basically just lists. However I also like to just drift and let things happen sometimes, and when it all gets too scary I go back to my lists for some security.
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I’m just the opposite. When I get too scared, I let go of all my organizational skills and forget about making lists…I think that is called free falling!
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