profile

Ditch the to-do lists

Decision Filters: Your First Line of Defense

Published 4 months ago • 1 min read

☃️ 1 of 4: This is part one of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!!

As creative introverts, we often say yes to things because we want to be helpful, to seize opportunities, or sometimes just to avoid the discomfort of saying no. But taking on too much can drain our creative energy and leave us feeling overwhelmed.

What if you had a simple way to evaluate opportunities before they overwhelm you?

Enter your 3-Question Filter – it's your guide for making decisions that honor your energy and creativity. It's like having a quiet conversation with yourself before saying yes to anything new (even if you're super-excited about it).

YOUR 3 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

  1. "Does this align with my current focus?"
    • Not just "Can I do this?" but "Should I do this now?"
    • Consider what you're already committed to
    • Think about what might have to be set aside
  2. "Do I have the energy for this?"
    • Be honest about your current energy levels
    • Consider the hidden energy costs (meetings, emails, revisions)
    • Remember that creative work needs creative space
  3. "Will I still want to do this next week?"
    • Let your enthusiasm settle before committing
    • Picture yourself actually doing the work
    • Trust your quiet intuition

Your Simple Action Step for This Week:

Write these three questions on a sticky note and place it where you'll see it when checking emails or taking calls. Let it be a gentle nudge to pause before saying yes.

Next week, we'll build on these questions to create graceful boundaries that protect your creative energy. For now, simply practice pausing and asking yourself these three questions before making new commitments.

Remember: Every "no" to something that doesn't pass your filter is a "yes" to your creative priorities. 💖

I'd love to hear how you create a nurturing environment for thriving in your responsibilities for home and work and your creative projects! Be sure to subscribe to the No More Lists newsletter for introvert-friendly, right-brain productivity and project management tips.

Ditch the to-do lists

The No More Lists Newsletter

Lists don't work when you are stuck. Learn right-brain productivity, planning and project management tips every week. Join your fellow introvert creators and get things done (from the comfort of your own email inbox).

Read more from Ditch the to-do lists
A couple of glasses of wine sitting on top of a table

🎉 4 of 4: This is part four of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!! Happy New Year! I hope it's been a good one so far. Over the past three weeks, we've built a system of filters, boundaries, and routines. Now let's create an easy way to maintain these practices without adding pressure or overwhelm. The key is to keep your progress tracking as minimal as your system. Just a quick weekly check-in to notice what's working and what needs adjusting. YOUR SIMPLE...

3 months ago • 1 min read
A close up of a christmas tree with ornaments

❄️ 3 of 4: This is part three of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!! Over the past two weeks, we've created our decision filter and crafted graceful boundary responses. Now let's weave these into a simple daily routine that feels natural, but not overwhelming - let's call it your MVR: Minimal Viable Routine. The key is to start small. Think of your MVR as your support system – three gentle checkpoints that help you maintain your creative boundaries without...

3 months ago • 1 min read
A table with a christmas tree and an open book

🎁 2 of 4: This is part two of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!! Last week, we created our 3-Question Filter (Does this align? Do I have energy? Will I want this next week?). Now let's turn those "no's" into graceful responses that honor both your creative needs and your relationships. As an introvert, I often worry about disappointing others. But having ready-to-use responses makes setting boundaries feel less daunting. Boundaries can help protect your...

3 months ago • 1 min read