To-do lists

Today I finally finished an online course that I've been putting off for about 4 weeks. The class quizzes and assignments have been on my to-do list since it started in March, but since they prof pegged it as self-paced I didn't feel any urgency to actually do the work. And even though the class was paid for by my employer, no one actually pays attention to whether I pass or even finish the course, so there wasn't much accountability in play either.

The only thing that motivated me to finish the piddly little course was my own anal-retentiveness.

I hate to have "hanging chads" out there. I am one of those people that can't stand to not finish a book or a movie, a magazine article or a beer - even if I'm bored out of my mind or it's warm and lite. It seems irresponsible and even rude to not give the full attention that an object or project observes.

Besides, just about everything I do in my daily life becomes an item on my mental to-do list. A workout that isn't done or an entry not filled in my journal makes me feel like a slacker, and my puritan/Midwestern work ethic just grates against the nerves when I know I'm not fulfilling potential.

I create to-do lists daily, because that's the only way I can get the priority items done. The sense of accomplishment that comes with crossing off items is the little baby carrot at the end of the stick that gets me through the day. Then at the end of the day I get beer.