The other night, my husband burst out laughing while reading a Patrick McManus story called “Sequences.” He read, “…on a farm you simply don’t go out and do a piece of work. No, the first thing you do is determine the lengthy sequence of activities necessary even to begin the job. Then you realize that the sequence of preparatory activities is so long you will never get to the intended task. So you go fishing instead.”
We laugh because we can relate to getting diverted from our intended task. The reality is that we have so many choices available to us today, it’s no wonder we get off track. We have the demands from others, everyday emergencies, our own conflicting dreams and desires, countless product options, as well as the pull of endless TV watching possibilities, web surfing and games. So what do we do with all of these options?
It all comes down to focus.
Have you noticed that when you are down to the wire, it is easier to focus? When a report is due in an hour which will determine whether or not you will keep your job, it is easy to ignore the ringing phone, to say no to other people’s requests, and to turn off social media. That report becomes a priority, and why it is a priority is clear, you need to financially support your family. You are then able to filter the requests that come to you through the question, “is this more important than keeping my job?”
Sharpen your focus and become more effective.
- Plan your day deciding on your top priorities.
- Determine why these are priorities.
- Filter the demands on your time through the question, “does this support my priority of …?”
What about fishing?
You are more effective when you have a balanced life.
- Intentionally schedule renewal time, so you can periodically indulge in TV, games and hobbies without guilt.
What to do with routine tasks and the miscellaneous?
There are certain “routine” tasks that need to get done, like doing the laundry.
- Schedule these tasks so that, using the laundry example, you are not pulled from your priority to take care of that pile of laundry because you know when you will get to it.
“The miscellaneous” refers to all those little things that bother you, things that you eventually want to get to, like that dripping faucet or cluttered drawer. They may not be a top priority now, but your mind is still thinking about them.
- Write down these miscellaneous items as you notice them.
- Decide on a time that you will review that list and determine what you will tackle, perhaps Saturday mornings.
- Relax knowing you don’t have to waste energy thinking about these tasks because you have captured them and will get to them later.
We live in an interesting time in history with increasing options and demands on our time. It is more important than ever to focus on priorities and why they are important, to say “no” to the distractions, and then, without guilt … go fishing.
Pamela Adams Henrie is the owner of The Success Choice and creator of “The Woman’s Success Planner” and “The Choosing Joy in the Journey Journal.” For more information, or to contact Pamela, log on to her website at TheSuccessChoice.com.
This article was originally published on July 08, 2014 in The Daily Herald’s MomClick October 04, 2014.
To read the published article, CLICK HERE.