My Computer Needs a Feng Shui Makeover

Why is it that it’s easier for me to define myself by what I am not?

-I am not a morning person (though I have been up at 5:30 am three days this week, turning over a new leaf? As a result it’s 8:38 pm and I’m delirious but that’s another blog)

-I am not an economist (I had hope that I was and then when exam time came I felt like I had studied an entirely different subject)

-I am not a runner (I try jogging, really I do but it’s hard to have success when you have three large dogs in tow)

-I am not a multi-tasker
Not a good one anyway, don’t get my husband started on the things I try do all at once and fail at: letting water boil over because I am also studying, dropping stitches while knitting because partway into a row I have to make a phone call or fold a shirt, spilling things because I am carrying too much. At least I have never dropped my phone into the toilet. My husband has - - twice. Until last month I had a two and half year old flip phone, then I was able to upgrade to a Blackberry, talk about multi-tasking, I have four different e-mail accounts coming to one place, it’s awesome!!

So my business partner for an exciting new venture comes over to my home office today and we park it at the penin-perfect space for breakfasting and conference calling.

Before she came over I was in the middle of finally sending off an e-mail I had begun drafting Tuesday. I was going to type and attach the script but then I decided I should wait a week until we actually finished creating the play. I was finally ready to send it off when I realized that I have three new kiddos not in my contacts so before I could send it off I had to do that. Meanwhile I had my Facebook page open, my Gmail open, Outlook open, my Amazon page open with items in my cart that need purchasing, my webpage open (I’m proud of it, I like to look at it), my “Click to donate .6 bowls of food to homeless animals” page open, I did at least click the link, a word document set up to take notes during the call and last but not least an Excel file to begin projecting some financials.

No this is not for the show; this was not a publicity stunt. This is how I work, multitask which really means that I have seven half-done things and manage not to complete a one.
And I wonder where my day goes?!

As I type this, I have a mere four windows open, not bad.

Ms. Biz Partner decides to drive during the call and takes one look at my overly windowed computer and says, “Girl, your computer needs a Feng Shui makeover. Hey, you should blog about that!” So I am.

I did learn a valuable lesson today and I am going to try to curtail my wicked addiction of having too many tasks open. So in this blog I am going to make a vow: Henceforth, I will only have one, two, (can I get away with three?) windows open at any given time and I am going to finish a task before I even think about starting a new one. I’m going to begin just as soon as I finish ordering from Amazon, writing a case, posting this blog and checking my email.

Doga, yes that’s right, Doggie Yoga

So, I try to practice Yoga once a day. In reality, I’m a three-time-a-week practitioner, though sometimes my practice is only ten minutes. I had a meditation instructor who thought that ten minutes a day was a great start and I’m sticking to the philosophy. I feel terribly guilty doing yoga before walking the dogs; and since I can’t get up early, I have a minimal amount of time in the AM before I commence “Working From Home”. I have this great DVD with an AM and PM program and I lay out a festive beach towel in my bedroom, light a candle and push play. The dogs often like to be near me, particularly Heyduke, our loveable rescue who has no idea that he’s a Blue Heeler. He spent so much time at the pound that he thinks he’s a poodle; he prances and dances like one. He also loves to give hugs and be sung to. He’s the best listener out of our pack and certainly the favorite when we have guests over. Heyduke loves Yoga, or Doga as I’ve taken to calling it. Sometimes he practices with me (bringing a whole new meaning to “Downward Dog”) other times he just lays on the bed. I’ve noticed that during this time he relaxes and often doesn’t move a muscle or make a peep (he’s very vocal). He’ll lay on the bed stretched out or he’ll come onto my towel, er mat, and join me. It’s both adorable and annoying; sometimes I have to adjust so I don’t squash him. Other times it works very well, I do the plank pose over him and if I’m feeling really strong, I can give him a belly rub, enhancing the pose further. What’s really cute is when I’m in some laying down pose and he snuggles up next to me, eager to participate. What I can’t get over is his response to the soothing music and the calming voice of the instructor; it really has a great effect on my pup! I think there should be Doga classes where pups and owners practice together. Maybe I’ll start one at the Play On! Studio.