“I learned that we can do anything, but we can’t do everything… at least not at the same time. So think of your priorities not in terms of what activities you do, but when you do them. Timing is everything.” ~ Dan Millman
It’s December 1st, and already, we’re hearing that people are overwhelmed by the “have-tos” of the holidays…
Shopping, family time, more social activities than we’ve had in the last 6 months – any of which by themselves have the potential to be wonderful events (yes, even Christmas Eve with your in-laws) – but the sheer volume of activity squashed into this one 31 day period is awe-inspiring.
For those of us who are big picture people, looking out over the vast holiday landscape can be over powering. There are times when making a list of the things that must get done is enough to send me back to bed for the day. In these moments, I remember Katie.
When I first got out of college and was waiting tables for the first time in my life, Katie was the tall, beautiful, red headed, slightly (ok, VERY) intimidating, senior server. I was in awe of Katie’s serenity in the midst of the evening rush – she was like this cool, steady river, placid but constantly flowing through the madness. I watched her for several weeks trying to figure out her secret before I finally got up the nerve to ask.
I remember she looked surprised – I think she was amazed to discover that anyone was watching. I also think she thought I was a bit nuts because, as far as she was concerned, what she was doing was no big deal.
“I just do the next thing that has to be done, step-by-step through the night, and I don’t worry about the rest until it’s their turn.”
And with that, she flipped her hair and went off to do the next thing.
But it was a revelation to me. I’ve always made my way through life by looking at the whole and then working into the details – but when the whole becomes too large (like during the holidays) I end up caught in a seemingly endless loop of trying to “get a grip” on it all. By prioritizing things into what must be done next, I not only interrupt that loop, but actually start moving some of the “have-tos” off my plate, making the whole smaller and more manageable.
I find that, at my worst, it can be hard to get started, but once I do the panic lifts, my feet find ground again, my attitude becomes more positive, and the quality of my life improves astronomically.
So maybe, this holiday season, we can all find our inner Katie, and give ourselves a little more breathing space and a lot more pleasure!
“Control your own time. Don’t let it be done for you. If you are working off the in-box that is fed you, you are probably working on the priority of others.” ~ Donald Rumsfeld