Marathon.

I should have run one by now. I've had the time. I like to run. What have I been doing? It's one of those iconic list items that has surely been overlooked. How come it hasn't been ticked off yet? Am I under achieving by letting this one slip? Better get my skates on or the pressure to accomplish the run will be too much to bear.

Lists, the defining element of our workaday world, encroach on every day life creating pressure where we had none before and occasionally throwing an albatross around our neck. To do lists, email lists, things to do before the boss fires me lists, lists for groceries on the way home, bucket lists of holiday destinations, work projects stuck on the drawing board lists and all manner of lists put pressure on us to perform. Is that what's holding you back? Are the lists too long? Are they unachievable? Do you want a new page and another go at it? The New Year is always a good starting point to re prioritise, re align, and re everything to do with the lists that drive you crazy, hold you back, put you under pressure and get in the way of you accomplishing what's important, the list.

Yes life gets in the way, it distracts, it bewilders, confuses and worst of all gives us reasons not to do things and before you know it, list items have passed their use by dates and pressure is applied appropriately. Pressure we don't want, pressure that accumulates and pressure that eventually causes us to blame list items for our deficiency to achieve. Commitment and responsibility come with lists and too often the list gets long by virtue of the lack of both.

Take back the initiative, become the list master once again. No more someday, maybe if all the planets align and I wake up a super hero I can accomplish that lists. No more lists filled with celebrity master chef ideas for the next time the boss visits, no more self help guru inspired career change lists and no more goal setting lists requiring a masters degree along with a Phd in aeronautical design. Do yourself a favour and don't listen to anyone else when making those lists or else you will end up with undue pressure provided by external input.

There is enough technology out there with APPs and time management programs to manage even the most unruly list but the final arbitration on what to include and when to do it remains with you. Instead of adding another New Years's resolution to last years's list, consider two options, prune the list or just go all Nike on that list and "just do it". Don't let that list keep you treading water, don't let that list keep you from moving forward, find the one sweet spot, the doable item right now and accomplish an absolute decision.

I have cut the marathon from my life list and replaced it with an ultra marathon for sometime in the future. Nothing like putting a little pressure on yourself!