To do, or not to do

Written by Joe Pisani
Thursday, 12 January 2012 01:00

For years, my life has been held captive by my “things to do” list. If it isn’t on the list, I don’t do it, and if it is on the list, I often don’t do it either.

Maybe it’s part of the aging process, but I’ve even begun writing down reminders to do basic chores such as “walk the dog,” “shave,” “shine shoes” and “discipline family members,” and I don’t mean the dog.

The “to do” list, I’ve been told by consultants who conduct time-management classes, is indispensable if you want to be a high achiever. However, I pride myself on being a low achiever.

The “to do” list helps you get things done. It defines you as a “can do” person. It also ensures you’ll be among the top 10% in the profession of their choice, whether it’s law, medicine or scrap metal.

The alternative is to have a highly compensated personal assistant who can drive you crazy every morning with reminders about your anniversary and your appointment with the gastroenterologist.

I admit that sometimes I long for the carefree days when I could wake up, stretch and ask myself, “So what do I have to do today?” and promptly respond, “Nothing.” But as long as my wife is in charge, that day won’t come.

On the other hand, I’ve met quite a few people who don’t rely on “to do” lists. They’re known for taking days to complete a task that could have been done in 45 minutes. They delay and deliberate or just forget about it.

They don’t seem to care about getting things done — like the guy who cleans my chimney or the fellow who cleans my septic tank. For weeks, I’ve had “Call So&So to clean chimney” on my list, and I’ve continually called So&So, but he never answers his voice messages, which leads me to wonder whether So&So is behind bars and unable to clean my chimney and/or septic tank. I admire these guys because they must have a lot of business and don’t have to worry about my septic tank backing up.

At this point, I have three “to do” lists — for work, for play and for my wife. Eventually, I will start one for the dog. However, it’s difficult to juggle errands on one list with errands on the other lists, such as “buy rawhide for dog” with “hang curtain rods for wife,” “get watch battery” and “renew passport.” And some chores like “clean the gutters,” which I should have done weeks ago, get pushed to the bottom of the list.

Good intentions, I tell my family, are everything. Do I really want to lug around a 28-foot ladder and clean leaves out of the gutters? Do I really want to send a check to my college so they can build a new student lounge? Do I really want to have the septic tank cleaned? Well, I guess I do.

Nevertheless, some things are better left undone. Shakespeare, I think, said that. Or was it George Bush? Or perhaps Woody Allen?

Joe Pisani may be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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