Most people have a ‘to do’ list they hope to get through.

Number 63 on my list was : Fix wobbly bathroom toilet roll holder.
It had been on my to do list for eighteen months.

One day, whilst procrastinating on a dozen other things, I decided to fix it. It took fifteen minutes. (Quick-dry filler, new raw plug – bosh, job done)
I was elated.
WHY?

Now, most likely, you’re always going to hack through the items that are high on your list. It’s hard to justify number 63 when you have URGENT, OVERDUE and ON FIRE on the list near the top, or even above the top, circled repeatedly.

You tell yourself, “I’ll get round to it eventually” but the wonder of life is that once you’ve got rid of all those urgent items more will always come along. 22 doesn’t get a look in and 63 is off the radar.

BUT, here’s the thing: Every day this regularly encountered undone item gave me a slight annoyance which built up over time.
“It’s still not done”, “I should sort this out”, “Why is the toilet roll on the floor?”, etc.

So even though the more recent, more pressing items need to be done, the cumulative annoyance of this item over time gave me an inordinate amount of pleasure once it had been completed. 

The amount of, let’s call it ‘Completion Satisfaction’, built up over time.

Here’s a graph:

Of course, another way to avoid the cumulative annoyance is to accept the issue as it is and strike it from your list. Be a bit more Zen. Though, in my case, this would ultimately mean a hole in the wall and floor based items better suited to waist height.

So do yourself a favour, find something low on your list that affects your life regularly, and do it today. You might be surprised how happy it makes you feel.

Plus, it’s the gift that keeps on giving, because for a period of weeks you’ll then use that mended item and receive a little hum of satisfaction, whether it’s a toilet roll holder, squeaky door or bird’s nest of unsorted computer cables. 

Lastly, a favour, do please share/like/subscribe – I’ve just started writing stuff like this and I aim to create at least one a week, in the hope that occasionally the information may be helpful, interesting or applicable to you. 

Right, I’m off to change my email footer which has had the wrong office address since June 2021. #truestory