Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Day 5 - Busy, Busy

Monday, Monday - should be translated - BUSY, BUSY!! Well, it's pretty difficult to change my work schedule for Mondays - it will always be a busy day. Fortunately, it is usually quiet in other areas which allows me to get most of my work finished.

How have I worked on my 21 days of reformation today? I guess I would have to say - "avoiding distractions." I am very easily distracted (my ADD kicks in). I have to stay very focused on Mondays. Some things just have to wait until another day. Prioirities again. That "P" word!!

There are urgent needs that demand attention immediately. In a true emergency, you drop everything and do them. But some things are only perceived as urgent or presented as though they can't be delayed, but are just pressing requests made out of impatience on the part of the other person. If you "pick up" the urgency, it won't have to wait to be fulfilled. If you aren't "getting it," they can switch to manipulating you into doing it for them NOW. "I know you're busy, but..." Some things ARE easily accomplished and only take a few minutes. Some things require more time than revealed or anticipated.

Which one has the prioirity right now? That's the question. It has to be decided. Time is limited. Every hour has only 60 minutes - no more and no less. We can't really stretch it. We only stretch to the limits what we try to cram into that 1 hour and then the only ones stretched is us. Is the "To Do List" for today really possible? Is it realistic?

You are not responsible to cover someone's lack of preparation at the expense of putting youself behind in your own responsibilities. In the parable of the 10 virgins, 5 were prepared and 5 were not. There is a time for sharing, but also a time when it is right to say, "I'm sorry, I can't help you out of this one." It requires saying "NO" or at least "I can try to fit it in later." (When exactly is "later" when I can get everything caught up??)

I am very much guilty of trying to cram too much into an "alloted" time slot. Usually when I am late, it is because I have tried to do "one more thing" before leaving. The clock keeps on ticking. I often find things take longer than I thought they would and usually when I added more to the original job....... Defining limitations....... um..... maybe this needs to be my next topic??

Not tonight - I'm already into "overtime." (again) :o)

Selah Y

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well written posts Cheryl. You are always an inspiration, and I have never met anyone as detailed and as thorough as you.

As I said before, You are a gift to all mankind, your family, and Desert Stream.

I am so glad to have you be a part of the Reformation team.

Cheryl

Shari said...

Kevin has suggested that we need to add more hours to the day and an extra day to each week..We'd all still manage to fill it!
Shari