The Right Time

I'm a husband and father of two, I have a full time job. I'm studying for my Architectural Licensing exams. I write a (almost) weekly blog. Time is a valuable commodity. It's probably natural to try to multitask. To pack two to three times the tasks in to the same period of time. Study while watching the kids. Write a blog while watching TV with my wife. Make phone calls while driving. Does it really work though?

I don't think it does. At least not for me.

Blogs written while the TV is on come out half baked if at all. I don't retain a thing studying in two minute increments between getting milk for Mackenzie and pulling Grayson off another piece of furniture? The only thing trying to do so much at the same time does is leave me tired and frustrated.

There is a parallel in how I consume information. It's very hard for me to not check Facebook, Twitter, Google Reader, etc. almost constantly and when I see an interesting article read it right then. In our modern age with its overabundance of content this could conceivably keep me occupied for days at a time without accomplishing a single step toward any of my goals. Also, shifting gears to consume content leaves me exhausted just like trying to do multiple things at once.

The problem is I want to do it all.

Now.

I want to write a novel. Learn piano and guitar. Get a doctorate in history. Travel to Manu Pichu and Japan. Get my Architectural License. Be fit and ride my bike all the time. Remodel the house and put an addition on.

I could go on.

At length.

I'm like a hummingbird on meth. I see something shiny and I'm off. I've struggled with this for years and made only the smallest of steps toward reigning it in and actually getting anything done. As with many aspects of the human condition I think this is both my greatest strength and my greatest weakness.

My goal is to develop the patience to wait until the right moment and when that time comes actually do the thing I need or want to do. I also have to have the discipline to set time aside to create the right time. There will always be a kid to watch, something to clean or a new bit of information to read. I have to very consciously make time if I am going to accomplish anything. The opposite too. When I'm with the kids I need to just be with the kids. Read when its time to read. Practice the joy of doing one thing at a time. Be in the moment. After all this moment is the only thing that is real.