Fieldwork: Create the List, Skip the Side Quests

Start your day with what matters most before distractions pile in.

This week’s Fieldwork comes out of a reflection I wrote about starting the day (or the grocery trip) with intention instead of exhaustion. You can read the full story here.

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We’ve all been there: head to the store for bananas and walk out with everything but. Life works the same way.

If we don’t name what matters up front, our mental carts fill with distractions.

Urgent-looking side quests pile in until the essentials get left behind.

This Week’s Fieldwork: Name Your Bananas

Here’s your reset for this week:

1. Take five minutes before the noise starts.
   Sit in the car, at the table, or with coffee in hand.

2. Write down your “bananas.”
   The one or two things that really matter today.

   For your work, your family, or your soul.

3. Check your cart before checkout.
   At the end of the day, look back. Did your energy match what mattered? Or did side quests win?

Why It Works

Distractions feel urgent in the moment, but clarity keeps you grounded. When you name what matters first, your brain is more likely to filter out noise and align choices with your priorities.

Psychologists call this intention setting, creating mental anchors that guide your day.

And the truth is, you don’t need a perfect plan.

You just need enough clarity to stop chasing side quests and carry what matters.

Closing Reminder