Things you can remove from your to do list

January means mile long to do lists and visions of glory for the year. Here are some things I don't think you have to do. Just my opinion, but maybe it will take a load off of someone who needs a load taken off.

You don't have to...

1. Say yes to whatever others ask of you or invite you to do. Sometimes you have to say I love you all, but no. When you say yes to everything, it leaves you no time to do the things you want and need to do for yourself. Even if one of those things is sitting on the couch in your house, alone, doing nothing. Spend your time and energy on others, but set limits for yourself.  It's okay to say no to things.

2. Like everyone. Not everyone likes you. You don't have to like everyone else and you don't have to have a reason why you don't. Sometimes we just don't click with people. It doesn't mean there's something wrong with them, or with us. We just don't fit well together and that's okay.

3. Put more emphasis on your weaknesses than on your strengths. It's okay to know what you're good at and to share it with others. You won't get any awards for making yourself seem small. Don't dull your shine.

4. See things in black and white. Grey areas exist. It's okay to walk through them and feel comfortable in them.

5. Wear heels. Treat your feet. Give them the day off.

6. Apologize for other people. We can only control our own behavior. What other people do is on them.

7. React. When someone pisses you off, you can find great satisfaction and power in not responding. We can't control what happens to us in life or what other people do to and around us, but we can choose our reactions.

8. Set the world on fire every day. If you're happy in your life and work, it's okay to stay in that space a while and enjoy it before you start looking for what's next.

9. Explain yourself. Your life. Your priorities. Your choices. To everyone else: none'ya business.

10. Read non-fiction. Wait, that one is just for me.

What's on your don't have to do it list?