Today is one of those days that I don’t feel like working ‘til midnight and I just really want as little drama as possible since I am feeling lazy’ish. I do not feel up to visiting anyone and there are probably only three or four people on earth that I want to talk to right now. Something good to eat would be a treat if I could find the inspiration to go to the grocery store. I’ll have fish and chili beans; two of my favorites.
Even though I thoroughly enjoy my work, sometimes it’s it’s ‘just like that.’ Here’s the plan: (as a project manager, you know I ALWAYS have a plan! J) I will give in to the awesome desire that I have right now to take a nap. In the middle of the afternoon, when all I hear is the hum of the desk fan that works 24/7. Tomorrow is the 4th of July and things will be a good kind of C-R-Azy. This time is needed to juice my batteries and be ready for whatever.
Myself said that I should pluck my brows, do my nails or listen to music and perfect my ipod playlist(s), but none of that sparks a great interest. Oh, maybe I’ll go to the mailbox. It is only 40 feet from the front door and I haven’t done that in a few days; maybe there is some unexpected money in there or more likely unexpected requests to send money to some vendor or utility.
I am fighting sleep, so I am doing things (like writing you here) that do not require a lot of brain power and I can just muddle through. I've had vitamins, coffee and acai today so what't the problem? When I had days like these in corporate America, I would find myself cleaning my desk drawer or organizing files. There is something about putting things in order that is soothing, welcoming and friendly.
There are no five-alarm deliverables [until Monday J] – so now what? This is what I’m going to do. Turn on some music (because usually it is dead silent in here), mop the kitchen floor (because little energy and no brain cells are needed to accomplish this task), shut down my trusted computer by 7:00 PM and read in bed until I fall asleep.
Time management is essential to having a successful career and life. Prioritizing tasks is one of the essential ingredients to good time management. Yesterday at 3:45 PM when I got an incredible urge to mop the floor was not a good time to do it; especially since I had a 5:00 PM deadline. Now, however is a perfect time. I used a concept called Backward Goal Setting. My goal was to have my weekly deliverables and the kitchen floor cleaned by Saturday when the “Happy Birthday America” July 4th celebrations began. However, the order that things happened was important. Therefore, take the time to ask yourself if whatever you are spending your time on is the best time to be spending your time on that thing. Read more about backward goal setting: http://tr.im/qOsa
I am reminded of a story about life choices and how we choose to fill our days. Remembering this helps me do things in the proper order and as a result maintain my efficient, happy self!
On the first day of class, a university professor stood in front of his philosophy class with an empty jar.
Without saying a word to his students, he removed the lid of the jar and filled it with golf balls. When no more golf bars fit he closed the jar with its lid. He then asked his class, “Would you say that the jar is now full?” His students observed the jar and concluded that the jar was indeed full.
The professor then proceeded to open the jar up and started inserting marbles into the jar. The marbles started to fill the gaps between the golf balls. After sealing the jar, he asked his class once again if they thought the jar was now full. The class concluded that the jar was indeed now full.
The professor opened the jar a third time and started pouring in sand. Obviously, the sand started filling the gaps between the golf balls and the marbles. He then sealed the jar and asked his class a third time if the jar was full. His class chuckled and replied in unison, “Yes, it is now full!”
The professor opened the jar and emptied two small cups of coffee in the jar. The liquid had completely filled the gap between the golf balls, the marbles, and the grains of sand. He then began his lecture.
“I hope you realize that life is very much like this jar. The golf balls represent the important things in life, like God, family, loved ones, health, things that you care intimately about. If we lost everything else in life, our lives would still be ‘full’. The marbles are the other things in our lives that are important, but our happiness shouldn’t depend on them. Things like our work, our house, our car, etc. Finally, the sand represents everything else; the small stuff.
“If we were to have filled our jar up with sand first, there we wouldn’t have had enough room for the marbles or the golf balls. If we use all our life and energy on the small stuff, we won’t have any room for the important things.”
After a brief moment of silence one of the students asked, “Professor, what does the coffee represent?”
“Ah, I’m glad you asked,” replied the professor. “It means that no matter how full your life is, there is always room for a cup of coffee with a friend.” (Author unknown by me)
There you have it… even time for relaxation should be an essential part of your planning and goal setting. Since I have herein given myself permission to relax this evening, I will sign off and wish you well.
Here’s to balance, simple genius and getting it all DONE.
Lorrinda
