Chasing Rabbits…

Chasing Rabbits…and I AM!

Since the first of the year–a most common time for all good intentions to be set, I’ve been trying out something called “blocking” as part of an efficiency concept. The nutshell premise is that if I block off periods of time in my schedule (time set aside for performing specific duties), and I focus solely on the scheduled duties, I will use my time most efficiently, thus, accomplishing more than if I had gone about my business without that structure.

Sounds good right? Sounds like a solid plan?

Over the past few weeks I’ve noticed a behavior that I’m now wondering if it’s been a part of my personality for decades, or if it’s a new sign of creative avoidance (more about that clever behavior in another post for another day…), or if I’ve just really lost control due to overwhelm–I have a LOT on my proverbial plate (don’t we all?!). At any rate, this fresh awareness of how some days, I accomplish mountains of productivity, and on other days…well, “blocking” be damned, I accomplish not so much….

Each night before I end my day, I create a schedule for the next. I have a gorgeous planner in which I block off certain sections, for example, as periods for nothing but writing. The next block of time is marked off for editting content, and yet another section is reserved for creativity, and another for lunch, or laundry, and such. In theory, the system of designating time frames works. And for a long time, it has worked brilliantly…

Now however, there is a lot of chatter that I have been actively trying to avoid. I don’t want to hear about the turmoil if I can’t change it. I’m an activist, no question about it. And, I have “the wisdom to know the difference.” I know that some things are best categorized uder the block of “watch and wait” even as the world is being torched. But that torching is a topic for another day, another blog post, which has little to do with chasing rabbits. Or maybe there is some segue I could find, but I just don’t have that particular duty scheduled in my day planner as a block deserving of my attention. Not today.

The late Mary Kay Ash, of Mary Kay Cosmetics fame and fortune, quipped often that “if you chase too many rabbits, you won’t catch any.” Chasing rabbits is something that has been happening lately. I find myself pulling into myself to find the reason for the thoughts that I must consciously reel in to dissect with my logical mind. I spend blocks looking at the feelings that haven’t quite yet landed as dust, rather than attending to the pre-scheduled tasks. I am, in fact, chasing rabbits, in spite of my good intentions to plan out as much of my life as possible. Even though I am well aware that when I chase too many rabbits, I’m not likely to accomplish much at all, this week, I am, chasing far too many in my mind….

How about you? How’s your productivity this year? Are you on track to accomplish whatever goal or goals you’ve set your sights on? Have you any experiences to share about time blocking? Are you too chasing rabbits? Let me know. And if you want to know more about Chasing Rabbits, you can get a copy on Amazon thru the link below.

Chasing Rabbits & I Am: The ARt of Attainment

Buy Chasing Rabbits

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Excerpt from Chasing Rabbits & I Am…the Art of Attainment:

“The pioneer of all entrepreneurs, the late Mary Kay Ash, legendary founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, offered the success tip, “If you chase too many rabbits, you’ll never catch any.” The adage answers the question of why so many folks never attain desired goals, or more importantly, successfully get to live their true callings. Most of us are too busy chasing, but seldom catching numerous metaphorical rabbits to ever consciously place a foot on the pre-determined path of limitless potential. And the rabbit’s foot dangling from your key chain is not the answer…”