Michael

Always put off until tomorrow what you shouldn’t do at all. – Morris Mandel

I found this quote today and really liked it. This is a great message and lesson for all. I think most of us have a tendency, some greater than others, of working on tasks and items that really are meaningless or in the business of our life don’t give us that much return on our investment.

Why is that? Do we feel obligated to do them? Are we feeling pressure from others who say we must? Did our fathers or mothers always do certain things and possibly the reason for them got lost? If we don’t do them would we be considered not normal?

I have a theory. I believe that many times we complete useless or meaningless tasks because in this crazy, complex, stressful world we live in, it gives us the opportunity to complete something. Even if that something doesn’t get us anything in return. It gives us the illusion that we are in control when we really don’t believe that we are. We can check it off our list. I’m sure you have felt that sense of relief at marking an item complete.

I watch with fascination as corporate vice presidents get into the details of projects, people, crises, fire-fighting and actually anything that requires some sort of action that will generate some kind of resolution in a timely manner. To be clear, these vice presidents have complex strategic issues that they are not handling because the problems appear to be never-ending or unresolvable. So, what does a person in this situation do? They go fix something that can be fixed. And then announce to the world what they’ve done, while underneath, the real problems are being ignored.

So, next time you feel you have a lot of stuff to do, take a look again and see what things can give you more “bang for the buck” to use an old cliche. Don’t do the simple things. Do things that are meaningful for you and others.

Have a great day!

Michael