Tags
efficiency, getting stuff done, i need a drink, increase productivity, online success, organization, setting goals, time management
Yesterday I set out to do some savvy female multitasking — you know, the let’s-kill-6-birds-with-one-stone stuff… So I grabbed my vid. camera, ironing board and hoards of pressing material and decided to get y’all steamed up and stoked to see a more feminine side of me. They don’t call me Iron Lady for nothing. Just sayin.
You will see, the video actually turned out way better than I could have staged it. *Some* of my kids were driving me nuts while I was “working” and I had to edit those fine (personal) moments when I bellowed at them to stop-distracting-me-can’t-you-see-I-am-busy ranting… While I was getting all huffy about my unruley children, I was fully unaware that essentially, they were just showing you an even deeper look into my life and totally underscoring the message I was trying to convey…
So here is my video on How to Conquer Distractions with guest appearances by my 8 year old (the kid with the banana, face maker and trouble maker) and a very short view of the 5 year old (and if you listen, he speaks German to me…). I will let you in on a wee secret. They are truely capable of being even more intrusive and annoying. Like when I am on the phone or when I am sitting on the pot. Then they always need my immediate attention. Yeah. I am lucky that way, I know. Go ahead and be jealous. Really.
The Action Machine by Derek Franklin
But essentially you don’t need to spend a dime on the software if you have a pencil and notepad on hand… (but my kids keep taking these instruments away from me… and using them to draw plans for their catapults and other medieval *stuff*).
How do you stay on track?
Thanks for the post, Andy! Useful, amusing, and an insightful peek into someone else’s juggling act. (Five kids? FIVE?!? I had no idea!)
I also got inspired to clean my desk & multitask with you.
You are hired, when can you get here?
My desk is abominable! I appreciate your help
!
Yeah, 5 precious little ones all under the age of 13… laundry and cooking. This is my world.
Fabulous! It’ll be my first time in Germany! It’s always easier to try to fix other people’s messes than our own, isn’t it?
Yes, it is always easier to clean up my mess if you are not ME (spoken behind my hand: she fully underestimates my chaos, doesn’t she?)
well I certainly don’t iron!
That has to do with two or three factors:
* you live in California, Germans iron socks, underwear and bed linen. (I do not go to these extremes of this sport.)
* we have almost only cotton stuff
* we don’t use a dryer often, so the line-dried stuff does need a wee pressing
Having said that, Gwendolyn, I think you may be missing out on something! Ironing has provided me with some of my most brilliant creative ideas.
As a woman continually thinking, perpetually thinking, ironing, while ONLY concentrating on NOT burning my finger tips and making a fine crease, is one of my major forms of relaxing and letting the creative juices flow… and with 7 peoples stuff to iron, well I get my fair share!
So, you still have not answered the question: how do you remain focussed, keep on track or conquer distraction?