Why Your To-Do List Isn’t Actually the Problem

You know that feeling when your eyes open in the morning and, before your feet even hit the floor, the pressure starts?

There’s already a list running in your head. You start mentally rearranging your day. You already feel behind... and it’s not even 7am.

Here’s the thing: your to-do list isn’t actually the problem.

It’s what you think about your list — thoughts like:

  • "I have to get all of this done today."

  • "If I don’t finish everything, I’ve failed."

  • "I’m already behind."

That kind of thinking creates pressure, panic, and sometimes... total shutdown. But what if you didn’t have to believe every single thought your brain offers? 

What if your mornings started with:

  • "I’ll do what I can, and that’s enough."

  • "I do good work, even if it’s not everything."

  • "I’m focusing on what matters most today."

It sounds simple, but that shift changes everything. Simply notice the thought your brain offers by default (such as “I’ll never get this done”) and make the choice to swap in a new thought like “I know where to start”. This small shift will result in less stress, more focus, and more productivity. 

Want more details on how to do this? Check out this episode of the podcast to hear how my client Jenny caught herself in what she called her “doom cycle” — and how she learned to shift into calm, clear-headed action instead of pressure-fueled panic.

PONDER THIS

Fun Fact: A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance. I don’t know why this delighted me, but it did. Sometimes, those groups are up to 1,000 birds.

I really hope at least one of them is a boundary coach. 😅


SELF-CARE TIP
4 Weird Little Self-Care Moves That Work

  1. Lie on the floor.
    Yes, literally. No phone, no distractions just stare at the ceiling and BE for a minute.

  2. Eat dinner at 4:45pm.
    You’re an adult. You make the rules. (Plus I'm always starving then and that way dinner is cleaned up by 5:30!)

  3. Put your phone in timeout.
    Like in a drawer or in another room.

  4. Do something inefficient.
    Take the long way. Fold laundry slowly. Let yourself be a little useless on purpose, you rebel.

WORK WITH ME

Last week, I led an in-person workshop on work/life balance for a group of high-performing leaders. Each participant evaluated every part of their life, including what was going well and what felt out of balance. We worked together to outline simple shifts to help them feel more in control and less overwhelmed.

If your company, leadership team, or women’s group needs a real conversation about boundaries, burnout, and balance, I’d love to bring this workshop to you.

I offer both in-person and virtual sessions — keynotes, trainings, retreats, or lunch-and-learns.

📩 Send me a message to talk through what might work best.

Encouragement, Overwhelm, Simple Sunday, Quick TipsMichelle Gauthier