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200 words, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, effective, efficient, mission, priorities, Purpose, time management, work
There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.
Doing things that need to be done in a way that doesn’t make sense is one thing. At least you are doing things that need to be done.
Doing things that serve no purpose for the sole sake of just being busy with something is also a problem.
Not that I’ve never done that myself before. I tend to go there when I’m trying to avoid something!
In many organizations we document what we’re doing to show that we’re actually doing our jobs or to be accountable to our customers.
Fine. But how often do we ask ourselves why we are tracking the things we are doing, and once we have the information, how, or if, we will even use it?
It makes sense to be efficient, it’s something I strive for with the things that need to be done. Careful though, if doing something efficiently means that it is no longer effective, that’s a whole other can of beans you don’t want to open up!
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
What are you doing that you don’t need to be doing?
elizabeth2560 said:
I have seen many people keep themselves ‘busy’ not really doing anything. That is SO true.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yup, I hear you Elizabeth! ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
So true, less meaningful stuff vs. connecting directly with people and making a difference.
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Val Boyko said:
I’m grateful to be my own boss … but its tough when I have to criticize myself! 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) Val, I would love to be a fly on the wall for your yearly evaluation with yourself! 😉
Diana xo
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Val Boyko said:
I usually take myself out to lunch. Happy for you to join me and me Diana 😀
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dianasschwenk said:
and give yourself a raise?? I would love to have lunch with you Val. That would be awesome. 🙂
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roughwighting said:
ACK! What a scary question!! We like to think everything we do is important and monumental. I’m writing (and intermittently checking out great blogs like yours), but I was about to also do a load of wash. Naw…it can wait. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
That’s one of my faves, puttering around, doing laundry, some work, sweep the balcony, etc., just a bit of everything; puttering! ❤
Diana xo
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roughwighting said:
Interesting, isn’t it? How much fun puttering can be. But it’s also a great way to procrastinate. On the other hand, some of the best poems are about the ordinary habits of puttering.
Hmm, I’m off to write one now! xo
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dianasschwenk said:
Hope you share the poem when you’re done!
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roughwighting said:
Put it over here, no
Under the bed and then
Toss the pillows and shake the
Towels, wipe the counters
Even the wall where a fingerprint
Right near the doorknob needs a scrub
I see a smudge on the window and
Nodding my head wipe it down while
Grinning at my ability to get nothing else done.
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dianasschwenk said:
Haha good point! ❤
Diana xo
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Sheryl said:
It’s a thought-provoking quote. I’m sure that I’ll be mulling it over and thinking about it for at least the next hour or two. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
I thought so too Sheryl. ❤
Diana xo
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Don Royster said:
There is an old saying that goes: It is not the destination that matters. It is the journey.
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dianasschwenk said:
I agree with that Don! ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
I think too much about everything! It’s a practice to let go of each day and I’m much more aware of it now. Great post Diana ❤️❤️
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Karen. I over think a lot of stuff, or so I’m told by my best friend. ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
In my work life it is every day all day long…..
In my out of work life….it applies to some things. 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
I work hard to make it stop at work and at home Colleen – one of my pet peeves. ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
Unfortunately I don’t have the authority to stop it at work. But at home? Absolutely!
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joannerambling said:
Ok I am sure there are things I am doing that I really shouldn’t be like eating Tim Tams but yeah I know that wasn’t what you were talking about just trying to be funny and failing…………..I do think there are many things I do that I don’t need to be doing but the hard thing is trying to know what those things are
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dianasschwenk said:
Haha good one Jo-Anne! ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
All of that busywork seems to be a part of life, doesn’t it?
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dianasschwenk said:
It does Jennifer, but why? ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
In today’s digital age there’s a whole lot more, like analytics etc. But I wonder how much it all matters. Experts tell me it’s important but I’m not entirely convinced. I just want to write stories. 😀❤️
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dianasschwenk said:
I think both are important; quantitative and qualitative the stats back up the stories. ❤
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
You’re right. *sigh* 💕
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dianasschwenk said:
Can’t wait until I get my copy of Calmer Girls, I know you do a lot of research! ❤
Diana xo
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vanbytheriver said:
I’m sure this applied to my working life. In retirement, not so much. ☺ Thankfully.
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dianasschwenk said:
That’s a good thing Van! ❤
Diana xo
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