I am just about ready to lock the door to the house. The work bag is on my shoulder, the water bottle is in my hand, and snack and gym bags are in the car. STOP! Where are my eyeglasses? Any of the three pairs will do and often a pair can be found on top of my head. 15 minutes later, I finally exit the garage – not because it took that long to find the glasses, 2 other things popped up to do while looking for them. Next day, the same scenario but this time the cell phone is playing hide and seek. Other days, I, the glasses and the phone make it to the first traffic light – where is my work iPad? On the kitchen counter. And the one that happens most often? The daily search and recover routine for the car keys lost in the car or in my work bag.
My friend and coworker, who will often wait patiently for me to find those lost keys, suggested that I put them in the same place all the time. (she is so organized – I can only wish) That is an excellent idea. That’s exactly what happens when I am not in a hurry.
The keys, iPad, and glasses have a designated space. I always intend to put them in their space and like most Americans, my phone is never far from me. So, what is the problem? I am not absentminded! I believe that I have made myself the victim of a cluttered mind.
I have noticed other signs of this cluttered mind. I can be looking right at you. I know you well. I see you frequently. I can’t access your name in my brain. Talking is my occupation, common words will often vacate the premises of my brain. Why would my brain be cluttered? Glad you asked!!
I am a multitasker. There are days when I am exhausted mentally before I walk out the door to do my “real job.” All the stuff that I think about and do, it is necessary, but do I have to try to juggle it all at the same time? I am so busy juggling that I can’t access and execute the basics – like remembering the tools of life, glasses, phone, names and words.
I am going to go way out on a limb and declare, “I am not a charter or the only member of the cluttered mind club.” So, what is my solution? I need to slow down. I need to prioritize. I need to multitask less. Everything may be necessary but not necessarily necessary right now. That’s a good start for us all I think.
In the long run, if I am able gain control, l will reclaim some of the Lost Time by correcting the behavior of running in a circle like a dog chasing its tail. Enough said….
PRACTICE: Choose one morning this week and intentionally make a mental note of the time wasted engaging in activities that add nothing to the productivity of your day. What will you do with the discovery?
Ephesians 5:11
PONDER THIS THOUGHT – Time lost is never found.
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