At 3:00 p.m. today I received this text, What should we have for dinner? I immediately looked at the time and realized I still had not had breakfast or lunch despite that I had been awake since 6:30 this morning. So, my mind drifts off into retrospective thought. What have I done all day? Going over the to-do list in my head, I had come to realize that although tasks had been completed there was still quite a bit on my agenda with very little time left in the day to complete the list. Epic failure or high (aka unrealistic) expectations?
In my never ending quest to use my perfectionist mallet to stomp out my dyslexia demand of extra time to complete tasks, I once again achieved two things. I achieved the daily dose of self-induced frustration mixed with failure for the lack of completed tasks and question. Why can I never get it all done? As if under the surface I already don't know the answer to that question. Really?!
As I looked back on the things I did today a few realizations came to mind. Here is the list of just a few:
- I proofed each sent e-mail twice after running spell check to make sure the content was on point.
- During a multi phone call and e-mail conversation, in regard to a huge project, I asked and provided clarification several times on the same point to ensure I really understood the meaning.
- Time got away a bit as unexpected interruptions occurred. Nothing out of the norm, just daily events of business like the phone ringing, texts, responding to Facebook, etc.
- When I am working I find myself sitting quietly. It may look like I am doing nothing however I am thinking about how to execute a task or a project. That took time.
The common thread of all these normal daily events was the extended time factor I require to execute the tasks to the caliber of my expectations.
Lesson learned:
I need to consciously schedule extra time to allow for my thought process the time it needs. So, at the end of the day will I get less done? That is a matter of perspective. From my perfectionist side, then most likely yes. But, from an overall big picture vantage point the answer is unequivocally NO. Because, at the end of the day, the tasks that were completed are of good quality, I have a feeling of satisfaction that squelches out the feelings of frustration and failure. When tomorrow comes, I look forward to another day of success.
Oh, and what is for dinner?
