Wastin Time

“Just sittin' on the dock of the bay, Wastin' time”

So here’s where I’m at on this idea of grit. The research all seems to point to the importance of our kids having the ‘grit’ characteristic; as it enables them to succeed while others may not.   The research is also clear when predicting adult success. Those folks who have grit…get it done! And although grit seems to be identifiable when it’s present…it’s not yet clear how to make sure our kids have it…or how adults can pick it up; or enrich what they already have. 

As I was reading about tips for parents to help their kids have grit, I saw they suggested that a parent have their child do one hard thing each day.  So I was thinking maybe I should try it myself and do one hard thing each day; as well.

 I already make a to-do list of things I want to accomplish.  I usually do a daily one, as well as a weekly one, monthly one and yearly one.  What usually happens is I do the interesting, fun, easy, robotic tier I tasks first.  Then I take on the medium sized tier II tasks.  Then I begin making excuses for not doing the tougher, more boring, more gritty tier III tasks.  I often move them to the next day’s list, then the next week’s list, next month, how about next year?  Until finally they edge their way off of the paper and I pretend I forgot about them or defend my reprehensible acts of procrastination by using the ‘run out of time’ excuse.  Sound familiar? 

Remember these words from Otis Redding’s hit song ’Sittin on the Dock of the Bay’?

I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

Look like nothin's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same, yes

Now, I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Sittin' on the dock of the bay

Wastin time

                                                                                        

Wastin time….hmmm. We all do it, don’t we?  Rather than working on accomplishing the priorities we have laid out, we instead find ourselves being distracted with our ‘go to’ time wasting gremlins such as; veg’ing out in front of the Tube, playing computer games, perusing the internet, going shopping, playing solitaire, checking our iPhone, reading magazines, foraging for food….  And how about you? What are your TW’s (Time Wasters)? 

I reckon, if we want to start flexing our grit muscles this is a great place to begin our workouts! Otherwise it’s just like Mr. Redding sings, 'nothin’s gonna change, guess I’ll remain the same'. Just being aware of why we revert to our times wasters in order to avoid the ‘to do’s, might motivate us to get off our fannies and just do it!    

So here’s what I’m going to work on.  As I write out my ‘to-do’ lists; I will star the tier III tasks and take care of at least one each day.  I’ll also reflect on when my TW’s keep me from taking care of business.

 This could be an insightful activity….Care to join me?