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BUT I GOT BUSY …
Saturday Jan. 7, 2017
BUT, I got busy with other things. Have you had those days? A well intentioned day morphs into disoriented, foggy …
This could change your life – or just another muddling day? Hard to tell sometimes …
Yesterday as my Friday began – first ‘week of the year’ nearly behind me. The day, first scheduled to be clear for some R&R time, had been overtaken by ‘the new regime of scheduled tasks’ I’ve been making myself follow – and being actually busy with new things, so much so that a full day Friday was needed to get them done. I like that ‘schedule NOTHING for Friday’ strategy. I’m hopeful it won’t be a dumping ground for everything I’m inclined to procrastinate – that I’ll just move it to Friday because I know I have time free. So far, I’m focused and sticking to my plan. One week in, I’m feeling pretty good about.
And one ‘new thing’ I added. Something I’ve tried before, several years ago when a client told me about this time saving (or, rather, avoid time-wasting) trick. He only checked email once an hour. He said it was too distracting to have it ‘always on’ on his desk top. I remember trying it and quickly failing. As I’ve mulled it lately, I think trying again has merit. So yesterday I began about 9:30AM. I’m not frightened of having clients call, pressing me to reply more promptly. My plan is to check email every two hours – I’m going to see how that works out.
But – my main thing today in this column is not what’s above, but what’s below …
So read on!
It represented only an hour of my day – but sometimes our life can change in an hour. Or our perspective can.
Some days – like yesterday, started off so perfectly. Rested. On-track and many things done in those first couple of hours, energized, caffeinated and very much alive. Before I walk Gusta I check the weather – knowing how cold it is ‘supposed to be’ is helpful for choosing footwear and outerwear. The weather site advised:
Condition: Light Snow
Tendency: Falling
Temperature: -14C / 7F
Wind Chill: -22C /-8F
Wind: SE 10mph
Then I pulled the drapes. I usually don’t do that so late – I’d been busy with my morning routine; light fluffy flakes floating from far above …
By the time I’d scarfed down my breakfast and headed out for Gusta’s morning walk the flakes are all on the ground.
Still dark, first light had not yet begun to show but the ‘dark’ was getting ‘lighter’.
And we walked …
A blanket over the deep snow, depressions where yesterday’s footprints and paw punctures were – we scampered faster than usual, Gusta was pulling with pup-like enthusiasm in pursuit of some interesting scent …
I’m not sure anything could be more fun. OK, yes I can, but this is a family column …
Reader feedback:
IN EVERY ROOM
Sounds like me Mark except I use Post It note pad so I can affix my thoughts to a bathroom mirror or kitchen cupboard. My office is littered with pristine and polluted pads or piles of Post It's. How's that for alliteration?, GM, Calgary, AB
ABOVE OR BEYOND
It’s those small, but consistently nagging traits that can be addressed daily. I like that you state the obvious, yet it is so impactful, just to think of “how can I, what can I do with more finesse, gentleness and love”, just for today. Happy New Year and thank you for giving us much to ponder, KK, Calgary, AB
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