Do you let yourself become a slave to the clock? I know that I do. I create schedules for myself. You know the sort of thing. 30 minutes for this, one hour for that and so on. Then I carry out that task and if I am in the middle of something, I will still usually stop, in order to follow my schedule. Still, it helps me achieve things that I wouldn’t normally. I think it comes from the pleasure I get in ticking off each of those tasks as they are completed.I seem to remember having written something like this recently. I do apologise if I have said any of this before.
Strangely though this doesn’t seem to work in my day job. All that happens is that the list gets longer and longer until I eventually just throw it away starting a new one with the most important tasks. Mostly these are written on post-its. My desk has almost disappeared under the mass of yellow rectangles. Maybe the way I view tasks to be completed at work is different to the way I view personal ones.
Do you find yourself tied to the clock? Do you just take it as it comes? Strangely I have been known to do the latter too, depending on my mood.
I am terrible about this. I set personal goals way too often. I will tell myself “I will be done with this project by” and then if I don’t make it I feel I have failed. I need to learn to relax, would happen to have a good port?
LikeLike
I am just the same. I hate to fail to meet the goals I set. I would imagine I should be used to it by now, but no. Relaxing is something I am not good at either. What’s that about port?
LikeLike
Blame the cheese. Cheese makes me think wine.
LikeLike
Ah good. I was hoping it was that sort of port. I’ll join you for a glass if I may.
LikeLike
Absolutely! Recommendations?
LikeLike
I’m not really a wine snob about it. You can choose.
LikeLike
Good then–a nice late bottled vintage:)
LikeLike
I’ll see what I can find. I better hunt out the cut crystal glasses as well 🙂
LikeLike
I’ll go find the crackers
LikeLike
and the cheese. I know the classic is stilton with port, but I don’t like blue cheese – perhaps a creamy camembert?
LikeLike
I’ve got naught but Brie I’m afraid. How do our discussions always end up cheese?
LikeLike
I am not sure, but there has to be a cheesy joke in here somewhere. Brie is also one of my favourites, so we are okay 🙂
LikeLike
Googling a cheesy joke
LikeLike
Ok, hit me. I am ready for it (I think).
LikeLike
What happens after an explosion in a French cheese factory?
De Brie
LikeLike
Oh no, that is truly cheesy. I must remember that to see how many people I can make cringe at work 🙂
LikeLike
Lol you asked for it
LikeLike
and I got it 🙂 The moral is to be careful what you ask for I suppose.
LikeLike
I will make my living in cheesy humour
LikeLike
and be very good at it by the looks of it 🙂
LikeLike
I do have isms dedicated to me now apparently
LikeLike
Well that is the first step on the road to fame and fortune.
LikeLike
I will soon be dodging the cheese paparazzi
LikeLike
Just smile and say cheese!
LikeLike
But then they will claim that me and Swiss have something…
LikeLike
Well, who listens to what the cheeserazzi say anyway. I just noticed that this post has 40 comments on it and thought, wow! Then noticed over 25 of them were us 🙂
LikeLike
Shall I quiet our cheese talk then? Or shall we shoot for 100?
LikeLike
100? Let’s see if we can make a 1,000. Think big!
LikeLike
One million it is
LikeLike
We can make it. Not sure if WordPress will not close us down and boot us off if we get there though
LikeLike
Lol I think we’re safe. Charles and I haven’t broken wp yet
LikeLike
That’s good to know – now what is a million minus about 33? That’s all we have to go.
LikeLike
Lol. We’re doing great. What was this post about again?
LikeLike
Not sure, something to do with time and making good use of it by commenting on blog posts
LikeLike
Oh. Right then. See this is why I come to you. You have the answers.
LikeLike
I often have the answers, but they aren’t always the right ones for the questi
LikeLike
They are better than mine lol
LikeLike
Are you sure about that? I can’t answer the question about where the ‘on’ from the end of my previous comment went to.
LikeLike
I thought it was a new abbreviation “ask a questi” 😉
LikeLike
Not sure I am cool enough to invent my own abbrevs
LikeLike
Then adopt some isms you can have Julianisms
LikeLike
Sounds good, I can follow in your footsteps. I was trying to think how you would call your isms, Ionisms? Ioniaisms?
LikeLike
The latter, or so I was told lol
LikeLike
Sounds good, we’ll see a dictionary entry soon I hope
LikeLike
I am not quite there yet lol
LikeLike
You will be, I am sure. We have another 40 comments to go, to the 100, not the million. I don’t seem to be getting replies to the comments on Charles blog, but that is probably good (for him) given our comment totals today.
LikeLike
Lol I like chatter
LikeLike
Me too – I told the cheesy joke at work today 😉
Unfortunately it fell a bit flat as the person I told was not a native English speaker and I had to explain what debris was. It kind of lost it’s cheese after th
LikeLike
Oh that is so sad:( I will have to try another
LikeLike
What did the blind man say when he was handed a cheese grater?
That is the most violent book I’ve ever read!
LikeLike
I am so lucky I am not at work a the moment. I would have embarrassed myself badly. I laughed so loudly, I almost scared myself. That’s a really good one.
LikeLike
So sorry lol is mr. Bubbles okay?
LikeLike
He’s probably asleep now, I have turned off his lights. He’s definitely adjusted to his name now. I call him and he swims up to the glass and does a roll and flaps his fins – well, actually he just ignores me, but I am sure he knows what I am saying really.
LikeLike
Now I just snorted lol
LikeLike
Not in public I hope 😉
LikeLike
Yes in public always with the public humiliation
LikeLike
I suppose it is a good way to get a thick skin and learn not to worry what other people think, if only
LikeLike
I really don’t usually care too much what others think.
LikeLike
That’s often a good thing – I have the opposite probl
LikeLike
Stick with me kid, I’ll show you the ropes 🙂
LikeLike
Bondage? Not really considered that as an option 😉
LikeLike
Oh my 😮
LikeLike
Yes, I was shocked too.
LikeLike
Crimson I have gone just a shade under scarlet
LikeLike
If I used Lol I would use it now 🙂
LikeLike
LOL!
LikeLike
Well we seem to have stalled at 86 comments, not bad, but we can do more I think 🙂
LikeLike
Oh there you are. I thought you might have been rescuing Charles from the dungeon.
LikeLike
I think I may be out of the loop. I probably need to play catch up somewhere – Is Charles in danger, does he need a hero?
LikeLike
He is out of danger now, with just a small back pain. Read my post from last night, it was all my fault.
LikeLike
I see – you have a vicious side then?
LikeLike
It wasn’t my fault there was a poorly placed cupcake. I really am an innocent angel. Hang on, my horns itch.
LikeLike
Best wear a hat (perhaps a trucker hat) – keep those things hidden!
LikeLike
Bearded truckers ….shiver
LikeLike
Absolutely, my skin is crawling – not implying there is anything wrong with bearded truckers, if any are reading.
LikeLike
I will now be frightened of truckers for life
LikeLike
You will be? What about me? I am sure there are very many nice ones out there.
LikeLike
Are you saying you are really a bearded trucker? Sexy:)
LikeLike
Definitely not a bearded trucker! But if if that’s what you like then I may have to consider that career route… How hard can it be?
LikeLike
Okay that was an LOL moment
LikeLike
Oh good! I like those, especially if you have them in public 🙂
LikeLike
Yet again in front of a student
LikeLike
We need to do something about this, they will begin to think you are a little loco!
LikeLike
I think it helps my cause. They fear my insanity now.
LikeLike
Nice plan, I hadn’t thought of it like that. Good thinking! You are cunning too 😉
LikeLike
Touché
LikeLike
We have passed 100 comments, hurrah! A few to go to to 125 though, we may need to extend the goal. We seem to be commenting in the middle of the thread somehow.
LikeLike
Perseverance!!! It is our friend!
LikeLike
Maybe stamina and endurance can be our friends too, we need them!
LikeLike
Keeping the thread alive! Speak to me
LikeLike
I thought it had died. You must know CPR!
LikeLike
I was just looking for an excuse to talk to you
LikeLike
You never need an excuse
LikeLike
I’m worried. What if I’m terrible with fish?
LikeLike
You can’t be any worse than me, I just feed them and change the filter when it gets so clogged it stops working. They survive. Make it the boys task to look after them, then if it dies…
LikeLike
Oh that’s awful! I change the boys filters before they get clogged
LikeLike
It is pretty mean I suppose
LikeLike
Who knew that you had a dark side?
LikeLike
I think we all do, although mine is probably really only a dull grey, not a full blown black 🙂 I do however have a dark sense of humour sometimes.
LikeLike
I have a black heart. No–really it is made of obsidian, it’s my paper weight
LikeLike
I don’t think you have a black heart – I imagine an obsidian heart would be pretty useless.
LikeLike
No really…the kids bought it for me at a rock convention we went to lol
LikeLike
Aha – I get it, a heart shaped piece of obsidian, right? – I am so very dumb 🙂
LikeLike
You are right about the rock but wrong about the dumb. You are the smartest man I know.
LikeLike
I find that hard to believe, but it is nice of you to say it.
LikeLike
Where is your confidence my dear?
LikeLike
It is back now. It was off playing with the pixies, but you have restored it thankfully
LikeLike
I could make something out of playing with the pixies, but I will refrain for the sake of others who may read these comments. So sorry folks. I’m sure there was a mental image in there somewhere.
LikeLike
Another time that I could have used that dreaded acronym, but, no I can’t bring myself to. I did laugh out loud though 🙂
LikeLike
Poor tinkerbell is not worthy of an lol?
LikeLike
You wouldn’t want me to compromise my principles would you?
LikeLike
Are you saying that I am interfering with your virtue? Because that is my ultimate goal.
LikeLike
Well maybe. My virtue isn’t unprotected though. You will have to fight for it.
LikeLike
Going to get boxing gloves
LikeLike
Going to learn Karate
LikeLike
Don’t kick me too hard I am tiny.
LikeLike
That’s where I have the advantage, I believe, young lady!
LikeLike
But I’m quick young man
LikeLike
Good point. Your speed and agility may easily defeat me and I will without my virtue. Woe is me!
LikeLike
Thinking about the loss of your virtue has left me without words…
LikeLike
I guess you won
LikeLike
It’s not about winning. It’s about the interacti
LikeLike
There you go abbreviating again
LikeLike
Really – what’s it done this time?
LikeLike
Interacti was your last word. Kind of cool–like illuminati
LikeLike
Want to join my secret society?
LikeLike
Ooooh do I get a t-shirt?
LikeLike
Not very secret if we have t-shirts!
LikeLike
Well then let me in on the secret and it will be even more secretive
LikeLike
It’s so secret I couldn’t do that here in such a public forum – I’ll whisper it to you
LikeLike
Come closer…I do not want the squirrels to hear…
LikeLike
Certainly. Close enough? Those darn squirrels eavesdropping again.
LikeLike
Sorry for the onion breath…vegan
LikeLike
I like onions. Better than anchovies.
LikeLike
Only alive fishes allowed
LikeLike
Has Huck arrived then?
LikeLike
Working on it now
LikeLike
Excellent. I hope he brings great pleasure to you all
LikeLike
Here it is. I thought I lost the thread for a moment. Good day to you Julian:)
LikeLike
Good day to you Ionia. It is a tangled thread, well done for finding it 🙂
LikeLike
How is your day?
LikeLike
Much better now. Home from work and chatting to you 🙂 almost over though, and yours is but just starting
LikeLike
Time differences, honestly
LikeLike
I know. Whoever invented them should be shot
LikeLike
I just need to start working nights lol
LikeLike
Good plan, I like it. Maybe my boss would let me work evenings and nights, although since there would be no-one else working for me to manage he may not go for it 🙂
LikeLike
Well then he clearly does not understand good ideas.
LikeLike
Definitely. Think how much more motivated I would be to get to work
LikeLike
And myself as well
LikeLike
I’ll suggest it next week when he gets back from a business trip. I am sure he’ll go for it now.
LikeLike
Incorrigible you are
LikeLike
I try 🙂
LikeLike
You do a good job;)
My Internet keeps dropping the connection.
LikeLike
It is better to do a good job than a poor one
LikeLike
Just saw the last part of this comment – Hopefully it will come back permanently soon.
LikeLike
Stupid technology
LikeLike
Definitely, but without it I wouldn’t have found you 🙂
LikeLike
That is a good point:)
LikeLike
I do have them occasionally
LikeLike
More often than you are willing to admit
LikeLike
I suppose that is my English sense of reserve
LikeLike
I happen to like your Englishness Julian. Very much in fact.
LikeLike
that is always nice to hear, especially from you, as it means so much
LikeLike
How many comments are we up to?
LikeLike
This is 185
LikeLike
Oh then we should definitely keep talking.
LikeLike
Yes, we have quite a way to go to hit that 1,000,000 comments target, and I guess that if we ever reach it I will still want to keep talking to you 🙂
LikeLike
I hope so otherwise I will have to slow down considerably
LikeLike
Never slow down, we have our entire lives to keep going
LikeLike
What shall we do to celebrate when we reach a million?
LikeLike
We should just start a new thread and carry on regardless.
LikeLike
It would be easier
LikeLike
I don’t think we are necessarily pursuing the easy option, but the best
LikeLike
Excuse me sir, all I heard was my own mind saying don’t stop talking
LikeLike
Never stop talking! Well at least until I go to bed.
LikeLike
I guess I could just talk to myself then
LikeLike
Why not just save those words until we are together again?
LikeLike
True, but then if I keep talking you will have a lot of comments to answer before I get up tomorrow
LikeLike
That’s true, but I probably won’t be able to answer them at work and when I get home you will be up. If you comment I will do my best to answer, but try to keep it under a hundred!
LikeLike
I think i would get rather bored without you after the first one. Depressed even 😦
LikeLike
Don’t be depressed, tomorrow will always come
LikeLike
It’s a lotta hours:)
LikeLike
It is, and unfortunately it will have to start very soon or I will never be able to get up for work.
LikeLike
Goodnight then:) Rest well
LikeLike
Until tomorrow 🙂
LikeLike
Hey look I found the thread again:)
LikeLike
Excellent. Now we can speak again!
LikeLike
We will breathe life into this thread yet!
LikeLike
Like you have into me 🙂
LikeLike
You already had a pulse Julian
LikeLike
But it has sped up lately for some reas
LikeLike
You abbreviate lol
LikeLike
Not again surely
LikeLike
If you keep your messages to three words it seems to me it’s okay but the responses are rather limited
LikeLike
Three little words?
LikeLike
Been waiting to hear you say that forever “oops I abbreviated” I mean
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Was there a message? I see no message!
LikeLike
I abbreviated it away
LikeLike
So sad:(
LikeLike
Why so sad?
LikeLike
No words for me:( go check your email. I have some words for you:)
LikeLike
I did reply – is it all just disappearing. Perhaps the thread is too large?
LikeLike
We should start a new one
LikeLike
Okay, let’s do that. Goodnight, until tomorrow.
LikeLike
Goodnight Julian
LikeLike
What is up with the last word in your messages? Or are you just abbreviating everything now, 😉
LikeLike
No id.
Not abbreviating everything. In fact I almost never use abbreviations. Me using emoticons is a miracle. You may not have noticed that I have never used an LOL. I sometimes even refuse to answer text messages with things like m8 in.
LikeLike
Lol. I use lol sorry
LikeLike
I don’t mind it when you use it 😉
LikeLike
I often do laugh out loud at comments here though 😉
LikeLike
Even better – Lol is descriptive though, so it does have a reasonable use.
LikeLike
Relax? What does that word even mean? Try as I might, I just can’t come to understand it. 🙂
LikeLike
It’s a hard one definitely. One persons relaxation may be stressful for someone else.
LikeLike
I agree lol. Oh look…men with pretty butterfly nets…
LikeLike
Funny enough, I have never been very good about this. I just kind of have a mental check list of things I would like to accomplish during the week and maybe the day. If I hit 2 out of any of it, I am happy, lol.
LikeLike
A mental checklist is probably more sensible than dozens of post-its. As long as you are happy with what you achieve that is all that really counts 🙂
LikeLike
Once upon a time, yes. I worked at a department store for 9.5 years, selling everything from candy to major appliances. While also studying physics full-time, teaching, and doing research. (All without cloning myself.) I was constantly looking at my watch or the calendar to see what I had to do next.
When I went to work on my Ph.D., I quit the department store and stopped wearing a watch. (I still don’t wear a watch, but I do have this dreaded cell phone…) Classes and office hours are scheduled, but I try as much as possible not to be a slave to the clock… or to the calendar. I feel that I have enough stress without that silly time machine imposing more than necessary. 🙂 As long as I’m making progress, I’m satisfied with that. I guess I still accomplish enough that this works for me.
LikeLike
It sounds like you have experienced these problems, but have managed to break free from the slavery. Congratulations.
LikeLike
I’m always clock-watching because so much is going on at certain times. Need to keep an eye on the clock to remember to eat lunch. Need to watch for the time my son comes home. It always feels like I have to keep watching the damn time, even on the weekends. Really makes it hard to enjoy most days.
LikeLike
Absolutely. I think it is this constant need to keep checking the time that creates such stress in life.
LikeLike
Wonder how much time we waste when we check the time.
LikeLike
Good point. Probably enough that we could finish off all of the things we fail to finish.
LikeLike
Pingback: Slave to Time | Julian Froment’s Blog | Hey Sweetheart, Get Me Rewrite!
One employer sent me to the Franklin Covey planner class and bought the planner for me (when they first came out) I got ticked at how much frickin’ time it took each day to ‘be organized’ – but I’ve always remembered the 4 Stages of life – with one being “racing around to put out fires because you’re so unorganized”
I never did use the system as intended – and I’m the sticky note queen – but if a sticky note has been up for 2 weeks and still isn’t done, then apparently, it isn’t very important…
😀
LikeLike
Definitely – the sticky notes do have a finite lifetime. I read one of the Stephen Covey books once, it was interesting, but you are right, it takes time to be organised.
LikeLike