It’s all about piddling around sometimes. It shouldn’t be, but it is. I can waste so much time piddling around doing nothing.
You know how it is? You wake up refreshed, ready to tackle the day and check things off your “to do” list. Well, maybe waking up refreshed is a bit of a stretch, but use your imagination. Some days I have buckets full of energy and determination. Notice, I said “some” days.
On those days, I usually put my butt on my memory foam pillow chair cushion and power up my laptop, anxious to check, check, check things off my list. I have a bunch of writing ideas, story line threads to tie up, bad guys to kill, etc. But first, I must check my e-mails. I mean, who can dive right into writing without knowing what’s sitting in your inbox? I have 3 e-mail accounts so this process takes a little while. But that’s okay, because a lot of it will be junk and I can just drag it into that cute little waste basket icon.
So – an hour later – I’m done with that, but remember that I need to make a quick trip to the store sometime today. Before I do that, I need to download this week’s super saver cyber coupons onto my shopping store card. Might as well do it now, while I’m thinking about it. Don’t want to forget. Would hate to get to the store without all those savings waiting to be spent. But, that’s okay, because that’ll only take a few minutes.
Then, I should probably check in on FB to see what happened to all of my cyber friends overnight. You know, make sure no one suffered any harm or anything and everyone’s kids got off to school and posted at least 3 pictures of their cats. Because, who can start their day without seeing those damn cats? Right?
Which leads to clicking on a few hyperlinks, you know to download free books and comment on a few blog posts and such. Which reminds me that I haven’t composed next week’s blog yet, so I should probably do that first so that my mind will be free of all this other worry and clutter before I dive right into writing. Trust me, you don’t want to start writing will all that worry hanging over you.
By now my stomach is complaining because, holy cow, look, it’s lunch time already. How did that happen? And who can write on an empty stomach? Not me, that’s for sure. I need a sandwich, or two.
So, you see, I’ve mastered the art of piddling. I’ve done a thousand things and accomplished nothing. Congratulations to me.
You know what this means right? Tonight I will lay awake thinking about all of the things I did not accomplish or check off my “to do” list today and tomorrow morning I will wake up not refreshed or energized or ready to do anything, thus delaying my progress for another 24 hours. It’s a vicious cycle. But, hey, I can proudly call myself the Piddle Queen!
Moral of the story – stop piddling around!
Are you a piddler? How to you justify piddling in your mind? Any thoughts on breaking the cycle?
Word of the day: Entrammel
Fun fact about me: I am a lover of lists. Cats – not so much.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, September 2016. Photos courtesy Google Images.
jansenschmidt 
Me all the way!
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Ah – you are my people! I miss you so much my friend. Good to see you here. Now, get off the computer and get to work!
Patricia
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We must rule one heck of a kingdom! I can piddle away time, too. Though I have to admit I (at least, I believe so) used my time wisely this past weekend, I just had too many big rocks on my list. I think Steven Covet explained us piddlers quite well in his book 7 Habitsbif Highly Effective People. It helps to focus on habit 2 – begin with the end in mind. Sometimes I forget. It’s gonna be a great week – thanks for the reminder to stay focused.
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You are welcome, Clay. I’d like to think that your “piddling around” on my blog was not actually piddling around at all, but a shove to get motivated! Now, off with you.
And, I’m definitely going to remember to begin with the end in mind. Good tip.
As always, thanks for your support.
Patricia
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Ha! You just described my morning! I’ve been on a “staycation” (mostly) and have a list of things to do. One biggie is to finish the rough draft of my WIP, so I set a rule of writing one scene a day until it’s done. Maybe it’ll get done, maybe not (I blame it on my husband, who is the King of Piddling). It’s especially mindblowing when you believe you have the entire day to get stuff done, so you piddle around, and then…what? It’s night?! How did that happen? And I love you even if you don’t love cats. 🙂
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I have the same problem with having a whole day to do stuff. I psyche myself out into thinking I have all the time in the world so I continue to goof off, until – bam – it’s 4:00 and guests are starting to check in and now I can’t do the stuff I really needed to get done. Sometimes I disgust myself. I’m pretty disciplined if there is something I absolutely have to get done, because I’ll start with that, but it’s the other stuff, the stuff that should get done but nothing bad will happen if it doesn’t. That’s the stuff that seems to keep getting pushed to the back burner.
Oh, well. Apparently I’m not alone in my piddling kingdom.
And, it’s not that I don’t like cats. I mean if I come to your house and you have cats, I won’t get all freaked out and I’ll be nice and friendly to them and all, it’s just that I don’t LOVE cats the way most cat-people do. See, not so bad after all. But, I’m so glad to know you love me anyway. Otherwise, I might have to start posting cat pictures on FB or something. You know, to earn back your affection and all. (Snicker.)
Have a wonderful week. Now stop piddling around and get to writing. That book isn’t going to write itself.
Patricia
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My mom calls this “puttering.” The day you described sounds exactly like mine, yesterday. I did get a lot done Saturday in the kitchen, then was tired yesterday. I did well to get a couple loads of laundry done in between all the puttering.
My fatigue entrammels me–is that enough of an excuse? 🙂
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Puttering, piddling – same deal. I’ve pretty much perfected it. I love the pics of your new kitchen. So sparkly and clean and new. Way to go!
And, yes, your fatigue issue is enough of an excuse. I don’t have an excuse.
Patricia
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Sounds like you and I agree on cats, Patricia. So far as piddling – I would, but I never seem to get around to it. Procrastinating seems to take up all my time, except when I’m napping, of course.
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Oh my – procrastination wins top spot at your house huh? Well, as long as you’re aware of it, carry on. Napping is good as well, although I’ve never been able to sleep during the day. Unless I’m sick. I’ve tried to nap, but I never fall asleep. I just lay there with my eyes closed.
And, yup, cats are not my thing. If they didn’t hack up hair balls and have those sharp little claws, maybe.
Have a great rest of the week.
Patricia
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In another 25 or 30 years you may find the napping a bit easier. I’ve always been good at it, but in my 70’s I’ve become a pro.
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