To-do lists can be a great way to help yourself get things done—including retirement. However, have you ever thought about managing your life according to a “to-do” list? Let’s take a look at the differences and why a “to-do” list can be a powerful key to the life you want to live.
To-do lists help you achieve goals.
I like to make a to-do list. Writing it down helps me feel in control, and completing tasks gives me a sense of accomplishment.
These positive feelings are justified. Research has shown that to-do lists can be effective tools for boosting productivity and time management. Studies show that writing down tasks helps clear your mind, reduce stress, and improve focus and performance.
Effective to-do lists typically involve prioritizing tasks, setting realistic goals, and being flexible about adapting to changes. Additionally, combining to-do lists with other productivity strategies, such as time-blocking and regular review, can enhance their effectiveness.
Think about the types of things you put on your “to-do” list: buy milk, prepare a presentation for next Tuesday’s meeting, wash the car, water the lawn, call your brother on his birthday, etc. A “to-do” list focuses on specific tasks and activities that need to be completed, often within a specific time frame.
Do you have a monthly financial to-do list?
Your monthly financial to-do list might include paying bills, checking balances, and planning for your future goals. Checking your plans with a tool like NewRetirement Planner can improve your financial profile as well as your peace of mind.
If you like “to-do” lists, this “to-do” list might be better.
A to-do list includes meaningful tasks, but it doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you’ll live the fulfilling life you want to look back on without regret.
However, the “Must Be” list focuses on the personal qualities and character traits one aspires to develop. It is a reflective and long-term list, and guides personal growth by promoting qualities such as patience, resilience, kindness, and creativity.
Here are some examples of the types of questions you can ask yourself when creating your “must-have” list:
Who do I want to be today?
How do I want to feel today?
What do I want to give today?
What do I want to get today?
The “Want to Be” list forms a comprehensive vision of who we want to be, ensuring that the actions we take are consistent with our deepest personal values and aspirations. Together, the list balances doing and being, leading to more comprehensive and meaningful progress.
Your “People You Want to Be” List: Who are you trying to impress?
Yes, social media is an unhealthy waste of time. However, sometimes you may come across something inspiring. I recently saw a good post that said:
The only people you should try to impress are the 8 year old version of you and the 88 year old version of you.
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I found this to be an excellent framework for building my “I Want to Be” list. Who would my 8-year-old want me to be? And who would my 88-year-old be proud to remember?
You are eight: Are you someone your 8-year-old admires and loves? Are you someone he or she wishes they could be like?
Looking back, I believe that my 8-year-old self wanted a life that was vibrant, adventurous, and filled with love and community. I’m fine—not perfect—when it comes to these ideals. The younger version of yourself embodies innocence, curiosity, and genuine joy without a layer of societal and cultural influence. By thinking about what would make your 8-year-old self proud, you ensure that you stay true to your true interests and maintain a sense of wonder and excitement in your life.
You are 88 years old: How would your 88-year-old self think about your choices throughout your life? Imagining how they would look back on your life can help you think about choices and experiences that will bring you a sense of accomplishment, pride, and satisfaction. This older version of yourself represents wisdom, long-term perspective, and a definitive understanding of what truly matters in life. By thinking about what your 88-year-old self might value, you prioritize decisions that contribute to a meaningful and fulfilling life, focusing on relationships, legacy, and inner peace.
How do you want to feel?
A to-do list is a list of accomplishments. These accomplishments may make you feel a certain way, but that’s not necessarily the goal of the “to-do” list. A “to-do” list is where you can set a goal for the feeling you want: Courage? Peace? Contentment? Accomplishment? Security?
Make a to-do list to help ensure you feel the way you want to feel. You will still want to identify tasks from your to-do list, and these activities may be related to money, relationships, career, entertainment, or anything else, but it is important to try to remember how you want to feel about what you are doing.
Who do you want to be?
A must-have list is a good way to remind yourself of your values and think about how your values influence how you spend your time, with whom, and for what purpose.
It can focus you and help you prioritize what’s on your to-do list so you can engage with what’s really important to you.
How does your to-do list affect your financial plans?
It’s possible that nothing will change regarding your financial and other future plans if you create a “to do” list. However, it’s possible that you will make slightly or very different choices regarding your money.
Create a new scenario in your new retirement planner and adjust your basic plan in light of your “should be” list. See what’s possible!
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