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It's About Time
Ruth Wong
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Unfinished tasks drain our energy
These days, almost everyone has too much to do in too little time. Often there's not enough energy to go around.
If you're like me, every day brings things you'd like to do, see or experience -- besides the things you need to do.
The reality is that sometimes we expend all our energy on the "must do's" before we can get to the "want to do's."
I've put up a handwritten sign above my desk that says, "Energy drainers or gainers?" to remind me to eliminate the energy drainers and spend more time with those things that give me energy and pleasure.
What are your energy drainers? For now, I'm not talking about substantial drainers such as negotiations or resolving people issues, which are definitely drainers to many in the workplace, but rather those smaller everyday things.
For many of my clients, clutter is an energy drainer. Having to see it daily, think about it, sort it, move it and maintain it is a major drain on mental and physical energy.
For others it might be that pile of mail on the dining table that has been there for weeks. Or that messy desk piled high with who knows what.
It might be that unfinished project or report. Or a letter you've been meaning to write. All of these drainers subtly take a toll.
Don't be surprised if many of the drainers have to do with unfinished tasks.
Psychologist William James has said that "nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task."
The remedy? Action to rout out those energy drainers!
For clutter, decide what you value more -- holding onto it and letting it drain you or the energy you'll gain from being free from it. If the latter, dare to let go of the excess and find proper storage homes for the rest.
For that pile of mail, is it worth leaving it as is, or could you sort even five pieces a day until the tabletop is clear?
For the messy desk, will you continue to work on top of the mess or attack it and clear it off?
Identify your energy drainers. Get busy and eliminate those within in your control so you can move on and spend time on activities and people that energize you!
It will be time (and energy) well spent.
See you in two weeks!
"It's About Time," by
Ruth Wong, owner of Organization Plus, runs the fourth Friday of each month. Contact her at "It's About Time," care of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or e-mail
features@starbulletin.com