We all create stories to explain what happens in a day.
A story is a tool to help us make sense of the world.
But what about the future?
What would happen if you turned your to-do list into a story as a rehearsal for the next day?
The theory suggests that your entire personhood is a story you tell yourself.
For the first few days it is.
Here’s the breakdown of implementing this for yourself.Photo byBraden Kowitz.
Estimate your to-do and goal location wherever you think they’ll fit.
When you write this out as a story you’ll see if they’ll actually work.
Lifehacker posting: 7-8:30.
Call and reschedule dentist.
Lunch 12:00 (remember leftovers).
Write/edit 12:30-4 (finish draft of feature).
Grocery store: pick up (list).
Say something random to a stranger.
Obviously your day is different and every one of mine has variations.
After about a week, you only need to keep a running list of dates and times.
Toss in a few jokes, bad metaphors, and offbeat visual cues as you go along.
), Thorin is prepared for the inevitable grocery store visit.
The list is an easy one this week.
Starting in the produce section he grabs some spinach, bananas, carrots, and bell peppers.
She chuckles and notes, “I just want some ground beef that doesn’t look like vomit.”
Thorin turns and strolls down the soup aisle to pick up a couple cans of tomato soup.
Finally, he snags a block of cheddar cheese, tortillas, and a loaf of bread.
You don’t really have to worry about grammar or spelling when you’re doing this.
It isn’t meant for anyone but you and doesn’t really need to reflect some innate storytelling talent.
The only rule is that you keep it in the present tense.
It’s on my to-dos, it’s in my story, and therefore it has to happen.
This is good because it gives you ample time to edit your schedule and rework your day.
If the timeline isn’t lining up, it’s not doable.
Think of it like a rehearsal where you’re working out the kinks to make everything more efficient.
Be Prepared for a Few Oddities
Doing an experiment like this isn’t without its faults.
I also ran into a few cases of deja vu that were a bit unsettling.
How and why was this working?
Here are a few ideas based on how we understand language and memory.
For things like shopping lists, I was doing the same thing.
The steps in-between are just as important.Photo byKevin.
Doing so helps resolve our definition of the past, present, and future.
You predict and adjust your day, in detail, as it’s going to happen before it happens.
to “This is how I’m getting this done.
“Photo byDavid Blackwell.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t a replacement to your long term calendars.
For myself, I’m going to continue using this method to see where it takes me.
Next, I’ll see what happens when I write out a whole week.
How about you, willing to give it a shot?
Title image remixed fromWarren Goldswain(Shutterstock).
