Dont sweat the small stuff

.. is a 'classic' by R. Carlson and a much needed poke in the ribs for us bz & stressed out people ;)

Work - No. 42:
Stop Scrambling.

For many people there are essentially only 2 speeds - fast & faster. it seems that most of the time we are scrambling around, moving very quickly doing 3 or 4 things at once. often we are only paying partial attention or half listening to the people we are working with. our minds are cluttered and overly busy.

Perhaps the reason so many of us spend so much time scrambling is that we fear falling behind or losing our edge. our competitors and everyone else around us seem to be moving so fast that we feel we must do the same.

Its important to note that in this hyper, frenetic state of mind, our concentration suffers. we waste precious energy and have a tendency to make mistakes. when we're scrambling its difficult to determine whats truly most relevant because we are so preoccupied with getting everything done. because we are moving so quickly its easy to get stressed out, nervous and agitated. And because we are so 'on edge' things get on our nerves easily and often. when we're scrambling its really easy to sweat the small stuff.

As an experiment see if you can make a concious effort to slow down - both your thinking and your actions. if you do i think you'll be plesantly surprised to discover that despite the slower speed you'll become more relaxed and far more effective. the reason this happens is that you'll regain your composure and be able to see the bigger picture .

Your stress level will drop dramatically and it will even seem like you have more time. your thinking and listening skills will become sharper and more honed. you'll be able to anticipate problems rather than finding yourself in the middle of them so often.

I'd estimate i operate at about half the speed i did ten years ago . however i get about twice as much work accomplished. its actually quite remarkable how much you can do when you're calm & collected. and perhaps even more importantly you enjoy what you are doing far more than when you were rushing around. i fully acknowledge the need to be productive and i realise how much work there is to do. however, ironic as it may seem, its often the case that you will get more done in less time when you stop scrambling so much.


Personal - No. 40:
When in doubt about whose turn it is to take out the trash, Go ahead and take it out.

If we're not careful, its easy to become resentful about all the responsibilities of daily living. Once in a very low mood i figured out that on an average day i do over 1000 different things. of course when i'm in a better mood that number is significantly lower.

As i think about it its astounding to me how easy it is for me to remember all the chores that i do, as well as all the other responsibilities that i take care of. but at the same time its easy for me to forget all the things that my wife does on a daily basis. how convenient!

Its really difficult to become a contented person if you're keeping score of all you do. keeping track only discourages you by cluttering your mind with who's doing what, who's doing more and so forth. if you want to know the truth about it, this is the epitome of 'small stuff'. it will bring you far more joy to your life to know that you have done your part and someone else in your family has one less thing to do, than it will to worry and fret over whose turn it is to take out the trash.

The strongest argument against this strategy is the concern that you'll be taken advantage of. This mistake is similar to believing its important that you're right. most of the time its not important that you're right, and neither is it important if you take the trash out a few more times than your spouse or housemate. making things like garbage less relevant in your life will undoubtedly free up more time and energy for truly important things.


:D

With nisfu syaaban we know that ramadhan is near.. the halfway mark, skit je lagi dah bulan puasa. semoga baraqah!!