Yap 3.0

Kidder and Oppenheim's Intellectual Devotional book was given to me by my best friend Jeffrey recently. In discussing this with my mom (a multi-degree nerd like me; a definite role model), she immediately weaves in a structured priority grid that we've talked about when I was in law school in our conversation indicating that priorities in our constantly moving target daily lives mean constant reprioritizations. This can be stressful, she said; I am quite aware. So we discuss the value of what we've formulated to be a model of constant reprioritization years back.

This is what our discussion would have sounded like 20 years ago. We start with a list of the day's tasks - for example: research for an article I'm writing, grocery, laundry, write an article for Mensa, reshelf books I've read that continues to occupy where my German Sheperd would be napping IF I had time to get one, do my schoolwork [now it would be - do my taxes], and need to spend some time at the gym. So Mom and I would have charted the day's schedule and then indicated to spend 2-3 minutes every hour to recheck if there are additional tasks coming my way that needed priority and I would quickly reprioritize my work. Throughout my first clearly calendared day she would check in to see how I'm doing and how my day is coming along [of course this would translate into micromanaging if this was a workplace but I was a young lad so I welcomed mom's input]. Other potential priorities did come in - a new homework from a stern tort law professor, a car dent from my neighbour's 16 yr old, a relative visiting from LA for an unplanned stayover. Tasks continue to be completed but new tasks needed to be accomodated.

Such training became ingrained in how I've balanced my doctorate program and a full time job. This has translated into how I've assisted my clients, proteges/mentees, and friends as well, especially those trying to become scholar-practitioners themselves and having difficulty with work-life-school balance. It's not easy to be looking at one's schedule at all times and I've had acquaintances indicate that spontaneity would benefit me but spontaneity would be scheduled as well [one day of no computers, no calendars, no nothing but pure fun - then the next day? back to schedule]. In time though, it becomes a natural occurrence and it becomes easier. At this point, I'm on autopilot but my Outlook calendar is not far from my fingertips because now its not about ensuring I know how to prioritze but ensuring I remember what I've actually scheduled. Must be aging.... or just new distractions.... like this book that I've mentioned above; quite fascinating - good thing I only need to read one page a day.