Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus." - Alexander Graham BellI am most of the time incapable of doing one thing at a time. I was thinking this morning about how I envy a horse that pulls a carriage because they are given blinders to be sure that they are not distracted.
Now a lot of the time my distractions are out of my control. The universe drives my work load, and no matter how hard I try to structure my day, I am usually working on a handful of things at a time.
Interruptions are so common for me it's as if I am the interruption and outside forces are the norm. We don't have a receptionist, so I answer almost every single phone call. Granted, a lot are for me, but it would be nice if I didn't have to deal with those that aren't or would ever have the opportunity to not take a call every once in a while.
If I'm working on the computer (which is 75% of my work day or more), I will do something else while waiting for software or websites to load. It's as if I cannot sit idle for more than 30 seconds!
But mostly, I am pretty sure I am the root of my problem. If I stop for 2 seconds, my eyes glance elsewhere and if they are caught on something that could be done, I'll do it. What is wrong with me? I'm like the dog in Up that every time he sees a squirrel, he stops mid sentence and runs off.
I have broken down my day into sections - assigning certain common tasks for certain times of the day. I use my Outlook calendar to remind myself that I should be working on certain tasks at that time, and then when times up I move onto the next. So far it's mostly working out but it is proving difficult when my reminder shows 30 minutes, an hour, or more past due and I haven't had an opportunity to attempt at the task at hand.
Does anyone else have this problem? What do you do?
One may say, Morgan, stop blogging at work but I don't get any official breaks since we're short staffed. All I've seen are working lunches for the past few months so I take back the time I am owed in small increments throughout the day. =)
Yes- this is my world. But I have two kids, work full time, full time blogger, have a side scrapbooking/card/invitation business and then I read a ton. AND I try to stay on top of everything that everybody is doing and then I am always the one who is on top of birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Phew! But you know what? I like it. I'm convinced it keeps my mind young and virile. The day you slow down and stop working your brain is the day you start to lose it. :)
ReplyDeleteTouche! I would honestly much rather have too much to do than not enough. My brain really dislikes idle time. The only time I can sit still is when driving and then I'm either singing or people watching lol.
ReplyDeleteProps to you and all your hundred million hats you wear!