Let’s view our Must-Do List 

as an  Opportunity-List.

I don’t know about you, but my To-Do List seems prone to taking on a parental or boss-like tone. It becomes a long list of must-dos. Little wonder the list manifests an adversarial tone rather than a we’re-in-this-together-so-let’s-get-going tone. 

But what if the next time we look at our list, we view it as an inventory of opportunities waiting eagerly for us to join in? 

That task to answer an email can become a chance to strengthen a friendship or help someone check off an item on their own list. 

The task to write an article could provide an opportunity to help others learn a new skill or maybe gain a new perspective on a social issue. 

The task reminding us to run the protection app on our computer can prevent it from shutting down just when a yearly deadline looms. 

If we could view tasks as helpful rather than demanding, they might even become enjoyable. 

Change. Impermanence. Nothing lasts forever.

It’s easier to dam a stream 

than to hold back a river.

Think of a huge river: say, the Amazon, Yangtze, or Mississippi. 

Now, let’s say that we are told that, in order to reduce flooding, we have to dam that river. And so, logically, we head upstream, looking for places where the river is narrower and more manageable.

Similarly, if we are to gain some control over our habitual behavior—from that which wastes our time or impacts our health to that which inconveniences others or, even worse, distresses them—we would look for the minor habits that contribute to such overall bad behavior. 

The habits that are not yet well-established would be the easiest to control. These would be the easiest to “dam up” before they become unchangeable and firmly anchored.

In time, as we become more skilled at stopping these fledgling habits, the more equipped we will be to tackle those that are more entrenched.