Skip the mid-life crisis. Make To Do Lists.

Since turning 40 I’ve been expecting some sort of mid-life crisis to sneak up on me, but it hasn’t happened.

Instead, I keep making To Do lists – let me explain.

I’ve always been fond of To Do lists. One for what needs to get done today, another for everything I’m trying to get done at work, another more focused on my personal life. I always have multiple lists with me and they each have sections and structure.

It’s no crisis, but it’s not the sanest approach to navigating life.

But now that I’m in my 40s, I have begun looking at the To Do lists a bit differently. Specifically a section on the personal life focused To Do List. It’s called Major Life Goals.

Every time I rewrite the personal focused list, I rewrite that section, but the goals really don’t ever change.

• Be a great father and husband.
• Chase fitness and health.
• Become a 10 handicap golfer.
• Give back to the world.
• Write.

Truly, I rewrite this personal list once a month and those goals always fill that section. They don’t change, but every rewrite gives me 30 less days or so to achieve them.

Maybe I should have more audacious goals, but family, friends, fitness, golf, storytelling – these are elements of a good life. I want to spend as much time over the next hopefully four, five or six decades giving them my all.

This article, this Whit and Wisdom blog, it’s a great way to start. First, this only moves forward if I write, and that’s one of the big goals on the list.

Second, I thought I’d document my pursuit of these goals. I’ll write about fatherhood, how it’s getting harder and harder to run fast, about bogeys and birdies, quick takes on aging and so much more. Here’s just a few possible headlines from the future:

• I signed up to run a 50-mile race. My feet, hamstrings and lungs aren’t so sure.
• My daughter’s laugh: Joy at every age
• Should I still stretch if I can’t touch my toes?
• Can I play with you? A 41-year-old tries to make new friends

Behind all of this is a belief that so many great days are still ahead. That even in my current and future decades I can reach new heights. I want to see my wife smile in new destinations around the world. I want to be present for every ounce of my daughter’s life that I can be. I want to take on challenges that I’m not sure I can complete.

To Do lists aren’t mid-life crises, but they help you realize time is always of the essence. I’m excited to share updates from my big goals pursuit with a bit of Whit and Wisdom and hopefully you’ll read along for a good laugh on the journey.