Thanks for that reflection Dub.

I relate to that.  I think I have often over-committed with a subconscious intent of "busying" myself.  I also subconsciously know that I can't get everything done that I commit to, but if I get 70% of it done and I look and feel "busy" doing, it makes me "feel good" because I can look at the 70% of the boxes I checked versus the 30% that I did not, but the question is, how effective was I overall?  Then the cycle repeats.  Over-committing for the sake of getting the "buzz" of completing a bunch of tasks.  I had a wine bar/restaurant business on the side at night for 4 years that was the epitome of over-commitment.  I felt awful busy, but ultimately could not commit enough resources for the really important work for it to succeed long term, it is closed now, and the resources it "stole" from me, could not be redeployed into my real job managing the national frozen pizza sales.  While I managed to grow and improve my department's performance selling frozen pizzas, the hurriedness I had from the over-committed side job did not help the sale team, nor me, and we probably left something on the table even though our performance was in the black, so to speak, during those 4 years.  Our best year ever came exactly the year after I shut down my side business.

Kevin

-----Original Message-----
From: dickinson@stagen.simplelists.com [mailto:dickinson@stagen.simplelists.com] On Behalf Of Dub Snider
Sent: Friday, June 1, 2018 2:03 PM
To: Stagen EJournal <dickinson@stagen.simplelists.com>
Subject: Habit of being Harried

I noticed yesterday that I was feeling harried about having too much to do even though I didn’t.

It dawned on me that this feeling was a habitual way of being, disconnected from circumstances.  How much of my life is like this?
Is it because I get stuck in a too busy mindset?
Do I over-commit to sustain this habit?
Did this uncomfortable state become my comfort zone?

I was thinking about a friend who frequently fails to keep commitments.
He always apologizes and feels bad about it.
But, he does not do anything about it.
As if feeling guilty enough makes it ok.

I do this with myself sometimes.
I make more commitments to myself than I can reasonably complete.
Then I feel guilty about not getting everything done.  Harried.

Overcommit. Feel Guilty.  Repeat.

Positive No for me may look like putting fewer items in my ‘This Week’ list.

/Dub

J Kevin Costello | Executive Vice President | Home Run Inn Frozen Foods
1300 Internationale Parkway | Woodridge, IL 60517 | P: 630.783.9696 x2112 | F: 630.783.0069 | HomeRunInn.com<http://www.homeruninn.com/> | Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/homeruninn> | Twitter<http://www.twitter.com/HomeRunInn>

Confidentiality Note: The information transmitted, including attachments, is intended only for the person(s) or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmissions, dissemination or other user of, or taking of any action in reliance up on this information by person or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you receive this in error, please contact the sender and destroy any copies of this information.