Writer's Block

One thing at a time

I'm a bit of an organizational junkie -- I'm a regular customer of The Container Store, and (nerd alert) I subscribe to the "Get-It-Done Guy" podcast for efficiency tips. But I still always seem to feel that I'm just barely keeping my head above water, and last week I started sinking! I had a pile of stories I started weeks ago and never came back to. My desk was messy from notes I wasn't using, and I couldn't find the notes I was using. Every time I started something, I got sidetracked onto something else. It felt like I wasn't finishing anything! What's an efficiency freak to do?

I had to admit that sometimes buying yet another day planner or starting yet another new filing system just isn't a substitute for keeping things simple and making good use of your time. So this week I've resolved to get back to basics and concentrate on just doing one thing at a time, finishing it, and moving on to the next. Enough "multitasking." This approach reminds me of an exercise we do in Aikido where we practice fully engaging with one opponent before turning to deal with the next one.

And am I the only one whose e-mail turns into a major time drain? I'm using some advice from the "Get-It-Done Guy" and limiting my e-mail checking to the beginning, middle and end of my work day -- or "breakfast, lunch and dinner" as I like to think of it.

Wish me luck!