Beyond the To-Do List: Aligning Your Time with What Truly Matters

Ever find yourself crossing things off your to-do list all day, only to lie in bed wondering if you actually moved forward?

That’s was me all last week. Every day, I did the work — checking boxes, moved things along, stayed “productive” on paper. But emotionally and mentally? I felt disconnected. Like I was going through the motions, even though I knew I was working toward the life I want. I think it was a mix of hormones and life circumstances catching up with me — and it made me realize something deeper about how we define productivity.

We’ve all been there: doing more but feeling less fulfilled. It turns out, the missing link isn’t effort — it’s alignment.

Productivity isn’t just about doing more — it’s about doing what matters most. When your actions reflect your values, goals, and current capacity, time management becomes intentional instead of overwhelming. Productivity starts with clarity. When you know your core values and priorities, you can say “yes” with purpose and “no” without guilt.

A few years ago, I made the conscious decision to be more intentional about my life and how I spent my time. I didn’t set out to own a deck of values, but one day while working at a thrift store, I came across a deck that caught my attention. I immediately knew it was something I needed, so I bought it.

Since then, I’ve used that deck as a tool to reflect on my core values. I go through it regularly to check in with myself and see if my actions are aligning with what truly matters to me. I also found "30 Days to Tame Your Tongue" to be a helpful guide for understanding how the words I use reflect my inner priorities.

Journaling and repeating affirmations about who I am and what I stand for has been key to strengthening my connection with my values. Now, when I face decisions or tasks, I ask myself: How would my ideal self handle or manage this? It’s not about simply checking things off a list but ensuring that my actions reflect the values I hold most dear.

Understanding that productivity is most effective when aligned with personal values and energy levels is just the beginning. To put this into practice, let's explore key strategies that can help you align your daily actions with what truly matters to you.​

1. Honor Your Energy, Not Just the Clock
   Your calendar might say you have time — but do you have capacity? Aligning tasks with your natural energy patterns leads to sustainable momentum.
   There are times when I find myself working at 5 AM, before the world wakes up, or when everyone else has gone to bed working through the night. I’ve learned that honoring my energy isn’t about sticking strictly to a schedule but about knowing when I’m most focused and productive. It’s about listening to my body and my mind, even if that means working during unconventional hours.

   I apply the same principle to my routines at home, for example grocery shopping once a week and prepping foods that support my busy life — like deboning chicken and blending cottage cheese for quick use. These little actions, done in alignment with my energy, allow me to keep moving forward without feeling drained. Honoring my energy helps me stay balanced and efficient, without pushing myself to meet a schedule that doesn’t serve my well-being.

2. Trade Perfection for Progress
   Perfectionism can masquerade as productivity, but it often leads to burnout. Give yourself permission to take imperfect action in the direction that feels aligned.
   For a long time, perfectionism held me back more than I realized. I believed that everything had to be done perfectly — whether it was in my work, my home, or even how I took care of myself. If I couldn’t achieve a perfect outcome, I’d either delay or avoid taking action altogether, out of fear of failing or not meeting my own expectations. A lot of avoidance.

   (If you missed it you can catch my post on the psychology of procrastination here.)

   This mindset created a cycle of procrastination and frustration. I’d spend hours trying to make something “just right,” only to feel defeated when it didn’t meet the impossible standard, I had set. Or even worse I would spend hours not doing anything. It wasn’t until I started to embrace imperfection — to realize that progress, not perfection, was the true goal — that I started to see real change.

   Letting go of the need for everything to be flawless has given me more freedom to take action, make mistakes, and learn along the way. It’s not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about moving forward and being okay with the messiness of growth.

3. Audit Your Time Like You Audit Your Budget
   Time is a resource — and how you spend it reveals your current values. Regularly reflect on whether your time use matches who you want to be. You can catch my post on mastering time management here.

   
   If you’re feeling like time is slipping away or you're constantly busy but not feeling productive, a simple exercise can be eye-opening. Try tracking your time for a day or two to see where it’s actually going. You’d be surprised at how much you can learn from seeing it all laid out.

   Alternatively, take a look at last week’s schedule. Where did you spend your energy? Was it aligned with your priorities, or did you find yourself putting time into things that didn’t serve your bigger goals? Sometimes, a quick audit can help you identify areas where you can adjust or let go of tasks that aren’t truly necessary.

   This reflection will give you clarity on how to honor your energy better — focusing on what moves you forward, rather than getting caught up in what feels like a never-ending to-do list.

4. Build in Space, Not Just Structure
   True alignment includes rest, reflection, and space to adjust. Without this, your productivity system becomes rigid instead of supportive.

   Even when we’re doing all the “right” things — tending to our bodies, caring for our families, nurturing our homes, and building our dreams — stress can still cloud the sense of fulfillment. Alignment doesn’t always guarantee ease, especially when we’re stretched thin or emotionally overwhelmed.

   That’s why it’s important not just to know what matters, but to have simple ways to reconnect with it — even in the middle of the mess. Here are a few practical tools you can try today to help you realign and feel more present in the life you’re actively creating.

   Practical Application:

   • Mini Alignment Check-In: Before starting your next task, take a moment to ask: Does this truly align with my priorities and bring me closer to the life I want to create? If it feels off, take a few seconds to adjust your mindset or how you're approaching it.

   • The 3D Method: For each task, decide to Do it, Delegate it, or Delete it. This not only helps you eliminate unnecessary tasks but also ensures you're investing your energy in things that directly align with your goals.

   • Revisit Your “Why”: When a task feels draining despite being aligned, remind yourself of the bigger picture. Take a moment to reconnect with your purpose or values behind the task. This can often help rekindle a sense of fulfillment, even when the task itself is challenging.

Remember, this journey isn't about getting everything perfect or fitting into someone else’s idea of productivity. It’s about finding what works for you and honoring the rhythm of your life. Even small shifts — like honoring your energy, letting go of perfectionism, or taking a few minutes to breathe — can create lasting change.

Be kind to yourself as you navigate this process, and know that progress doesn’t have to be fast or flawless. Each step you take, no matter how small, is a step toward a more intentional, fulfilling life. You’re doing great, and the best part is that you're always evolving. Keep going, one breath, one moment, at a time and thank you for being here, a part of this journey.

Let’s Grow.

P.S. Big News!

Starting next week, each Monday’s blog will come with two brand-new extras:

—> A free resource to help you take action

—> A for purchase product if you want to dive deeper

I can’t wait to share these with you - mark your calendar for Mondays at 11:11AM and get ready for even more support on your journey!