Life By A List.

I lack discipline. It’s quite bad really. As a recent college graduate I guess that is probably a ‘normal’ thing since we become thrusted into the real world with laid out jobs and new schedules that don’t look very different from day to day. We are used to having a lot of more freedom than we do now post graduation, because now we can’t just skip work like we did class to sleep in or even stay up too late because we have to be up so early now. Now we have real obligations that will cost us our career if we don’t fulfill them.

If you are like me, well then the minute you get off from your job you want to go home and relax and not think about work until the next morning. Outside of work I don’t want any obligations to take up my life. This is in LARGE part due to the fact that I am an ENFP, with a STRONG emphasis on the P (Myers Briggs test). The J/P (judgment vs. perceiving) category explains how we typically relate to the outside world. As a P, I like to “keep decisions open” as the explanation would say, and J’s like to “have matters settled”, i.e. most everything is concrete, black and white, let’s make a game plan sort of person. For me, I always am the one to “keep decisions open” because should circumstances change, well then nothing is unexpected or hard to restructure. I can thrive in chaos and have a million things going on at once and not get stressed out. Yet never become fully committed to things. “Institutions” would be a word that scares us P’s because we love the idea of freedom and not being felt like we are boxed in to anything. The higher score of a P one is, the worse this becomes. You don’t want to know my score.

So now when it comes to the ‘adult’ life, it becomes easy for anyone to feel trapped or like life is just a list of obligations to pay the bills. Especially for us in the P group, hence why I make sure I don’t plan anything on my nights and weekends. I plan to relax is the plan. I hate making plans hours before most of the time. “Let’s just wing it!” is my slogan. But then I realized the other day that I don’t do anything for myself. I mean, I try to, but I can never stay committed to it because I want my freedom. But freedom lies in doing the things we love and what we are passionate about. I have a huge list of things I would like to pick back up on or start. It’s funny because as an NF trait of Myers Briggs, we HATE lists. But I am determined to learn to like them, or see the goodness in attempting to have them. Now, usually this kind of list I have would be one people make on New Year’s Eve and then see how long they can keep that commitment (which is almost always shorter than longer). So here is what I propose for myself when it comes to keeping my commitments: accountability. I sort of have it in one area with my book deal. I made a deal with my roommate that she has to help me stay on track with my book by working on it at least 2 nights a week. Ideally I would love to work on it every day in my spare time, but I can’t overwhelm myself. I want to set plans I can learn to be committed to finally.

My accountability for this comes in the form of writing it down in a place where other people can see. So, bring it up in conversation when I see you. Help me keep up with these things and hopefully I will have quite some interesting stories to tell you as I embark on trying to make a list and keep it (eeek!). I have never been successful at keeping a list, ever, so give me some grace, but expect, well, awesomeness.

Hey you should try it too. That way I can take the journey with someone else. Here is my list so far:

1. Because I have a terrible memory (seriously), I plan to memorize a lengthy passage of scripture or something inspiring each week to help. My doctor says this will greatly help.

2. Write/work on my book a minimum of 2 nights each week.

3. Find something I have in common with a complete stranger twice a month. This is really in order to meet more people and build a bigger community. I have met the coolest and most unique people lately and I want that to become a regular habit.

4. Save a minimum of $100 a month so that I can make a trip to somewhere new at least once a year. This world is way too beautiful to not explore for the rest of my life. I am quite obsessed with travel.

5. Grab coffee or plan a phone date with someone I haven’t talked to in a while. I love catching up with friends and seeing people from college. Besides, I always walk away encouraged from hearing other people’s stories =)

OK so there you have it. These may seem really little and minute to you, but remember who you are dealing with here. I am so forgetful, busy, and too A.D.D. to think about making a list let alone fulfilling it. Since this list is compiled of everything I enjoy and it will benefit me (spiritually, physically, and emotionally) then I might actually have a shot at succeeding. And all of this is actually achievable. So now I have no excuse when I feel like life is only about commitments or obligations. Sometimes it is, but I think we will find that when we make sure we are doing things that are bettering ourselves, we live better as well. We are more likely to live for God’s glory and live to that “life abundant” that Christ lived and died for.