May 11, 2009

Get In Gear Newsletter

a note from Cairene

classes

the true discipline of time management
Become a Time Disciple with me! By this summer, you could be on your way to calm, prepared, energized, confident - and ready for anything.

• course begins Monday, May 18 > registration closes Thursday, May 14 [details and registration]

the organic business manual
Reduce chaos, improve your creativity, and increase your bottom line - just by writing it down.

• course begins Monday, June 1 [details and registration]

bite the candy
Have some guilt-free fun finishing something you've been putting off and discover the treats at the bottom of your to-do list.

• next sessions: Thursdays, May 28 & June 25 + Saturday, June 13 [details and registration]

overwhelm is a choice

That may be hard to hear, but I want you to think about it.

Some of the events and circumstances we encounter are indeed very overwhelming. Illness. Death of a loved one. Fire. Flood. Earthquakes real and metaphorical beyond our control.

But they are rare.

Unless you are living in a war zone, there's probably not cause for your day-to-day life to feel overwhelming.

It doesn't have to be that way, yet overwhelm persists. Why?

Is it possible that we kinda like it that way? We say we want to get more organized and better manage our time, but do we really?

> What would it mean to not have “busy” or "disorganized" as an excuse?
> Are you at all attached to the “outs” that come with the stereotypical reputation of a creative?
> What would happen if you had to make peace with not being able to do it all?

What would you have to take responsibility for if you were not in overwhelm?

Slowing down.
Being honest.
Choosing.
Learning the difference between a yes and a no.
Saying no. Often.
Not trying to be all things to everyone.
Taking care of yourself. First.
Respecting limits.
Committing to yes.
Generating real prosperity.
Knowing what makes you happy.
Being free to do it.
Understanding how much is enough.
Accepting yourself just as you are.
Loving your life.

These are good things, but not easy things. They are kind of overwhelming themselves. It's not all that surprising that we so often choose ordinary everyday overwhelm over these challenging responsibilities.

(Especially in a culture that treats overwhelm as normal. It's almost as though something is wrong with you if you aren't overwhelmed - like you aren't trying hard enough. Bah!)

I'm not saying any of this to shame you if you are feeling overwhelmed. Just because it's in your control to change (yay! you can do something about it!) doesn't make that easy because...

Getting to something simpler, ain't always simple.

Which is why I think it's better together. Whether it's friends, colleagues, a spiritual community, mastermind, or classmates - people helping each other gain clarity, stay true to themselves, and stick with it have an easier time and greater success with this stuff. Which is good.

Because in the end, the effort is totally worth it.

• • • • •

Overwhelmed by ending overwhelm? Here are two ways out: The True Discipline of Time Management and The Organic Business Manual. Both are about simplifying your day-to-day systems and structures in ways that are just right for you. Join us.

recently on the blog

It's not you. It's your systems. | I should have made a video so you can see just how riled up I get about my manifesto.
Making every click count. | It's not just about time well invested anymore.
When your to-do list starts vicious rumors about you. | What issuing a press release correcting your mental tabloids has to do with getting things done.

And the smaller lessons that followed the big ones in the last newsletter.
But does your puzzle make a picture?
Using a hammer when you need power tools
Do the half-right thing
The next level of resisting bright shiny objects

let's chat

Like what you've read? Irked? Confused? Have a suggestion? Got a question? Let's start a conversation. I'd love to hear from you - send me a line, comment on the blog, or follow me on Twitter.

Remember, if you need a little guidance or a nudge in the right direction, you can ask your burning admin questions here.

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Unless otherwise attributed, all material is written and edited by Cairene MacDonald.
© 2009 Cairene MacDonald, Third Hand Works. All rights reserved.

Cairene MacDonald
Third Hand Works
PO Box 31113
Portland, OR 97231
contact

from overwhelmed to ready for anything
organization and time management for people in their "right" minds

Third Hand Works | administrative guidance for independent creative professionals