Summing Things Up

This might get a bit rambly... What?

Of course rambly is a word. Check back for a link. Um, sometime...

Anyway, if you don't want to stick around for rambly that's okay. I'll be back soon with something different.

Still reading?

Last week, as I was finally whittling my way toward the bottom of the pile, (Yes, it really took that long.) Netter asked me what I was working on.

Without missing a beat, I replied. "I'm working on a bunch of 'little crap.'"

Now, obviously it wasn't "crap," but I am involved now with all the little things like Census forms, and property value paperwork, voter registration and life insurance minutiae, which even my insurance man grimaces about. In short, all the stuff that has to be filled out, sent in, dealt with whether we want to or not.

Of course, I've also got things that just don't fit in that box either, paperwork that needs to be filed when you buy something new, junk mail, and other stuff that piles up that we don't know what to do with and only deal with when the piles get that big.


Or - THAT BIG!

I have an incredibly difficult time applying myself to these types of tasks, but instead of moving past them or ignoring them they tend to hang me up entirely. I end up watching a bunch of television I wouldn't ordinarily have watched or surfing the web, or checking Facebook or Twitter, or... I'm guessing you get the picture.

So, here's what I'm doing to get myself motivated.

Ready?

I'm calling Timeout.

What does that mean?

It means that until I get those things done and progress beyond them I'm not adding any commitments or any other tasks, at least not during the work week.

I figure if I really apply myself it shouldn't take me more than a week or two to get on track.

But this isn't really just about my "to-do" list.

As part of staying on track and keeping on track I am renewing my commitment to my blog and to social media. I have been really evaluating my time in the space lately, figuring out if I belong, where I might fit in, what I'm missing, what I've tucked away and forgotten about, and how I might do better, learning how to scale as it were so that the time I do spend is quality time not only for me, but for everybody. For instance I've been using Foursquare, but I'm not sure I'm seeing the value from that tool as much as I just feel like I'm broadcasting my location to folks who may not care. (More on Foursquare in a later post.)

A friend asked me last week if I ever do anything "a little bit?" The answer is "No, no I really don't," but I do respect the things I'm doing and the other folks who are involved. Basically, I want to be sure I'm continuing to do that.

The other thing I'm doing is refocusing on my career. I had planned on doing this in the latter part of February, but of course my attention was pulled aside by my boy, who I am happy to say is doing very well. (Though he has turned into a bit of a nocturnal animal, which has been more than a little different. Still, we're figuring things out and making progress.)

So, about refocusing on my career? Yeah, another post maybe, but it is an important step, something I have to do for my sanity. I will say I will be spending a lot of time on my LinkedIn profile and even some time evaluating our finances, calculating risks and such.

I do have one other project I'm working on that is very exciting and may lead to a great opportunity with a local small business, but as nothing is official or even written down yet, I'm afraid I'll have only that to share today. Sorry, I know that's a tease.

I do have one other note, very positive, very happy news. Ms Single Mama has decided to continue blogging, and that makes me very happy. I think her voice is important to a lot of people, myself included, and I'm glad she's going to keep being heard.

What blogs do you read on a regular basis? What projects are you caught up in?

What are you rambling about?