Priority lists can be long… pages and pages long of items that you need to do, want to do, and think that someday you may finally have time to do. Most of the time, these are items that you are doing for your professional work, your family, your home, your parents, or your community. Maybe, if you are really lucky, you might include an item that is just for you.

Here’s the moment of truth… right now… stop reading this blog post… you read this correctly… stop reading this post for just one minute and take a glace and your to-do list. How many of the items listed are just for you, just because you want to do it?

Did you even make it on your own list?

I had someone ask me an interesting question recently. Instead of the typicaly question of “what do you do?”, she asked something different…

What do you do for fun?

Wow. Quite a question. I don’t think I’ve heard that question in a long time as too often our society is focused on what and how much we “do”. Luckily, I was able to answer it after I got over my amazement that someone thought to ask such a thing. I was able to share that I like to run, go to the gym, read before bed, and have date night with my husband. I’m always up for a good People magazine too!

Homework #1: Answer the question “what do you do for fun?”

Once you have that question answered, there’s two more steps. First, you need to schedule it in your calendar. Yes, right alongside your children’s soccer game and mailing the birthday present next Tuesday.

Homework #2: Schedule your fun on your calendar.

Almost done… now you need to make it a commitment that you always honor. You know what I mean… some things on your calendar are a bit “soft” and if needed, you’ll blow them off. Typically, one is more likely to blow off a commitment to themselves before they’ll decommit to someone else. You’ll need to change this habit.

When you say “I try to ______”, that leaves wiggle room for failure to achieve. Life happens, things get in the way, you tried but it just didn’t work out. When you say “I always ____”, you firmly commit, no excuses. You’re focused on success and are making it happen.

Homework #3: Get to the point that you say “I always do _____ for fun.”

At this point, you have all of the tools you need. If you are starting to think “Nice idea but there is just not enough time”, let’s try something simple to get you started. Pick something that you can do for 5 minutes each day. Just 5 minutes. A cup of tea, a bit of meditation, your choice. For me it’s always been a hot shower at the end of my day. This is not a shower to get clean, it’s more like a steam bath and it’s my sacred time. I always do this… every night… no matter what else is going on.

Pick your five minutes for you and give it a try today. You’re back on your priority list now!