If you are anything like me, you have a long to-do list that never ends or is ever completed. Some days I look at that crazy list and just want to go back to bed in despair. The good news is that a ‘to-do’ list can be so much more! Thanks to Ryan Holiday (a modern-day Stoic and author), I am excited to share a new approach to my to-do lists which has amplified my days, renewed my spirit and added more joy and gratitude to my life. You can do this too, with a simple shift of your focus and awareness!

To change a to-do list to a get-to list, gift yourself the time to build some positive context around the task. For example, today on my list, I have “get oil changed” in my car. To place it on  my Get-To list, I re-frame this tedious task with elaborative positive thoughts such as: Today I get to change the oil in my car. How lucky am I that I have a car and everything else is running perfectly? I am fortunate that I have the means to pay for this service without worry. I thought of how many people only dream of owning a car one day. I thought of the day I bought this car and how excited I was to drive it! Then I took the time to appreciate all that I get to do because I have a safe, well-running car which is another privilege. This car enables me to easily drive to the city to see my kids, drive to beautiful places to ride my bike, get around in comfort in lousy weather, and perform many errands that would be difficult without a car. I then felt enormously grateful for the opportunity to take care of my car and I decided to be sure I took the time to appreciate the individuals who would help me take care of this task.

Taking the time to shift your perspective and build context around your tasks and errands naturally changes them into privileges instead of burdens. It is not just shifting words when you truly take the time really build a story of appreciation around each item on the list. There are many ways that this list has now become a portal for me to authentically view and be grateful for much in my life that is often easy to overlook or take for granted. The stacks of paintings that my artist daughter left in my garage when she moved? I will lovingly find a safe place for these works of art for this wonderful spirit who trusts me to care for her treasures. How fortunate to have a daughter who loves me, and continuously colors my world with joy and love and adventure! Every time I go into my garage I see them, and now they remind me how lucky I am to have a daughter. As I found places for them, I thought of others who may have dreamed of being a mom and never got the chance, and of those who may have lost daughters and would love the chance to complain about the clutter. Taking the time to think positively about the task in hand shifts an unwanted errand into sweet, loving moments of gratitude.

Ryan Holiday then invites us to take it yet another level and think about how we can be expansive about deeply experiencing the items on our list. For instance, today I ‘get to’ go to my favorite florist to order a hand-selected bouquet for a dear friend who lost her husband. As I wrote this on my get-to list, I felt the love I have for my friend and how fortunate I have been to enjoy their friendship for a decade. I took a moment to wonder how this friendship will change and ponder the direction it may go. I was happy for the chance to support my favorite flower shop, chat with the man who owns it, and to enjoy the diverse blossoms while I was in the store. I got excited about seeing the miracle of flowers, take in their gorgeous detail, and the chance to revel in the blissful fragrance of a flower shop. I had written a lovely card which had allowed me to feel the deep feelings of love for my friend and to feel the loss again by remembering so many good times we have had together. I imagined my friend receiving the flowers, reading the card, and how she will feel all the love and support I have for her. It soon truly felt like a privilege to complete this task and I am grateful. I actually can’t wait to go!

Today I invite you to begin turning your tasks into privileges by taking one or two items that you ‘have to do’ on your list and shift them into something that ‘you get to do’. Taking the time to elaborate these items on your list and will naturally and easily cause you to enjoy your tasks. This small effort will make a wonderful difference in the precious moments that make up your day and open up a world of opportunity!