One of my great strengths is efficiency. This is mostly because I'm lazy, and I figure why take longer to do something than I need to? I've always thought the characteristics that our greatest strengths come from also make our weaknesses. There are times when I go so far out of my way to avoid doing work I don't want to do that instead of being efficient I actually create more work for myself.
Here's an example. I absolutely HATE hanging up laundry. The downside of not hanging your clothes up when they come out of the dryer is that they get all wrinkled, balled up in the laundry basket. Since I hate that too, because we all know that ironing clothes is even worse than hanging them up and much more work (with the exception of my SIL who says that ironing is the epitomy of domestic bliss, which proves she's crazy) I came up with an ingenious plan! I would take the clothes out of the laundry basket while they were still warm and very carefully smooth them out and then lay them in one big pile over a chair. Now this may take a tiny bit longer than putting a shirt on a hanger, and it does make for a bit of a mess when you need to find the said shirt and it's in the middle of a stack of clothes that is bigger than the chair. But I'm also stubborn and this in my mind was much better than hanging them up....which I was NOT going to do!
Now I want you all to know I am fully aware how much more work this was and I've long since abandoned the practice...but it proves my point...I did it for years. What other crazy, backwards things do I do in the effort to avoid exerting unecessary (in my mind) effort? Well, let me tell you.
I'll spend 10 minutes and get myself all worked up trying to peel the packing tape off a package that comes in the mail just so I don't have to walk around to the other side of the counter to get a knife. Nine times out of ten I will end up getting the knife to cut the last remaining piece of tape that refuses to come up.....but only AFTER I'm so frustrated I want to throw the box across the room.
Sticky notes....perfect example. Sticky notes are the least efficient way to do anything and they almost always create more work. They may appear to be less work in the beginning, but that is their cunning plan. They suck you in with their handy little sticky strip, convenience and cute colors, sizes and little logos/designs. What could be more efficient than grabbing a sticky note off your desk and jotting a quick note down? Now that you've got your very important, must not forget note written down you can stick it up on your desk, wall or anywhere else that you're sure to notice later. How can could you miss it? Except, before you know it you have so many sticky notes you can't see your desk, computer or walls. This is when you realize the error of your ways. How can you possibly find that one most important note....that thing that had to be done yesterday or else....the one that was on the yellow sticky note....or was it pink....is it under this one....or that one....or maybe it lost its sticky and fallen under the monitor....or maybe on the floor....or did you accidentally throw it away with the 3 others you checked off your list....hmmmm....well, it probably wasn't that important anyway. If it was you would have remembered and not needed to write it down in the first place. Just jot yourself a note down on a new sticky note to find it later on. Hmmm....let's see...if you highlight it you'll be sure to notice it. Just stick it right here...on top of the rest. Can't miss that. :) Whew, aren't you glad that problem is solved? Why don't you take the rest of the afternoon off and relax! You deserve it for your effienciency.
