Mar 12, 2009: Happy For No Reason by Marci Shimoff

Thank you Michael for a powerful session. I especially liked the exercises we did with partners.

As I reflect, one of my insights is how I/R applies to time management. I was reminded by Werner that there are things that “will never be done.” So I need to be OK with things on my plate that are undone. Time Management is a ROLE and if I let my performance in that role get to my "I," I am going to end up with a diminished “I.”

So today - it's day of my Weekly Review - I looked at all the things on my plate with the goal of reducing them to 20% BELOW what I think I can comfortably handle in a week. I went through my whole inventory and ruthlessly re-prioritized the things that can wait until next week or beyond (I have only two priorities for active things on my plate: things that need to get done “this week” versus those beyond). When I did this, my list of 30 things went down to 17!

I am learning that it's important for me to feel a creative control over my day while not feeling like I have wasted it. Being a right-brain-dominant, creative person, having a list of to-do things constricts me and “ties me down.” When I have a few things on my plate that I think I can easily get done, I can “risk” doing other things that I need to do as I am inspired and in-the-moment.

By the way, I am thinking that even 17 things is a lot, especially when many of them are the activities that weaken me rather than strengthen me. The next step for me is figuring out how to mostly do things that I like/want to do and get other things done by someone or something else.

Thanks for a great meeting. Hope to see you all March 26th.

Bhavesh.