Lists
05-May-02
Sometimes when I’m feeling really overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I’ve committed myself to doing, I keep lists.
Actually, I keep a lot of lists. I have one on my desktop as an electronic sticky note, reminding me of which papers I need to grade, and the other things I have to do today. I have a “Tasks” section that I use in Outlook at work, with all the milestones I’m committing myself to achieving. I have a palm pilot, which I’m still trying to make syncable with my desktop PC (a slow and difficult process on Linux). I keep a list of priority projects for the household– things we’ve decided to spend time and money on doing.
The problem is, there are always things that get put on my lists that don’t get done. Basically, my lists are not complete– they have things on them that don’t get done, and there are things I do that aren’t on the list, usually things I do for fun.
For example, today is Cinco de Mayo. We’re throwing a spontaneous party in honor of the event. Did we plan this? No– hence the word “spontaneous.” Is “clean house, decorate, and shop for Cinco de Mayo” on my list of things to do today? No. It is not. Now, the party is certainly my idea, but I have to acknowledge the fact that I’m basically sabotaging my other plans for today.
I wonder if human cloning is ready yet. . . . . I could sure use a double!