Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter

Exceptions

Recently, I’ve encountered two ideas that make perfect sense to me, even though they directly contradict things I’ve believed and promoted for years. But hey, sometimes the opposite of the truth isn’t a lie, it’s just a different truth, like we are all unique, and ultimately, all humans are alike.

In her book, Everyday Vitality, Dr. Samantha Boardman says that it has become a popular truism, and it certainly has been for me, that we can only change one habit at a time. Thus, we are encouraged to not bite off more than we can chew: Quit smoking before you take up running, or get your paper under control before you tackle the basement. However, Boardman sites some studies that have shown people having tremendous success when they do the opposite. Sometimes, when people really commit, they get into a virtuous cycle. For example, deciding to start exercising and eating better might seem like a lot to change at once, but the new behaviors actually support each other. The better you feel about exercising the more inspired you are to eat well, and the better you eat, the better you feel when you exercise, and so it goes. Of course, the opposite of that is also true: If you are depressed and don’t exercise and eat poorly, you are likely to get more depressed. But if you can have a downward spiral why not an upward one?

Then, I heard an interview with Oliver Burkeman on the radio. A time-management expert who has become a bit of a philosopher, Burkeman said something that I know is true, but is hard for me and for many of you. He said that we focus so much on being efficient that we become very good at weed-whacking our way through the little, unimportant stuff, but never manage to get to the stuff that really has meaning. I agree. It’s so easy to get lost in reaction mode. You want to be organized so you can do the stuff that matters, but first you have to decide what that is, prioritize it, and, I would argue, put it on the schedule. In fact, I think if it’s really important, it should go first. What if you write your novel from 7 to 9 every morning and then do your money-making job? Toni Morrison worked on her first novel at 4 a.m. and then got her kids off to school and went to work at Random House. Maybe you pitch new business during the best, most productive time of day, and then respond to emails and balance your books after lunch? You might just find that you’re more efficient with the mundane tasks if you had a smaller window in which to accomplish them.

I always believe in prioritizing, but to do that, you have to decide what your priorities are.  And guess what? Not everything can be a priority. Things change; something that seemed like the holy grail to you a few years ago might not be where your passions lie anymore. It’s good to check in and ask yourself what you really want to accomplish. What’s most important to you now?

It’s still January. If you want to swing big in 2022, why not? Change all your habits! Do the that important thing you never get to. Life is short. Seize the day—and the day, my friends, is today.