Aging With Adventure: Productive Goofing Off
Friday, December 5, 2008 at 12:00AM Sometimes I get so much done when I am not doing what I should be.
Wonderful posts get written while dust and dog hair pile up. Amazing dinners are cooked while avoiding writing the Ephesians talks. I never skip the study part of Bible teaching. I really enjoy studying. However, occasionally white page block has me doing other things until deadlines force my mind to focus and produce cohesive thoughts to share with others.
The house gets cleaned while I should be running errands or returning phone calls. Calls are done while I making e-card drops. Errands get done while I am avoiding thinking about what to make for dinner. Somehow, the wash always gets done and homeschool is accomplished more or less.
If I am really in avoidant mode, I watch TV (during the day!) and catch up on TiVo and knit. How can you be goofing off if inch after inch of scarf is gliding off your needles?
When Real Simple arrives each month, that event signals a 2-hour life stop. I sit, I read, I rip out recipes and articles I will never look at again. I feel something has been accomplished in those two hours as I carefully put all the rip outs in a folder with all the other ones from previous life stop sessions.
Too much goofing off will becomes counter productive, but I am surprised how I get done while I am avoiding doing what I should be doing.
Do you have a productive way of goofing off?
blogging, goofing off, productivity in aging with adventure 
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Reader Comments (6)
Wow! And I thought I had a lot to do each day! It's amazing to me that you get anything done! I am goofing off most of the time, because I'm so easily distracted by shiny new things I find online. There are days I get absolutely nothing done! I am always multitasking to the point I leave many things undone. It's frustrating most of the time. I get mad at myself for not meeting my daily goals.
I tend to do blogging and drop EC while watching t.v. as well. My dust keeps piling up, but I occasionally run the vacuum or, when I absolutely must, wipe down the bathroom! I figure if it really bothers others who live in this same house, they may eventually help out (although that has yet to happen!). Goofing off must just be part of my make-up!
I love reading Real Simple, too! I always find something useful that I want to rip out and save, but never end up looking at it again, either.
After three spinal surgeries, I must do a certain amount of walking, treadmill, or elliptical training just to stay upright. However, my goofing off is never productive.
Blessings,
Bruce
I listen to sermon podcasts while doing yardwork and housework. I have a video iPod, but who needs to see the preacher's face for more than 3.5 seconds, really? I just finished a sermon series on Song of Solomon and am about to start one on 2nd Corinthians. When I just sit there listening or watching, I feel like I should be doing something else (even though they're terribly edifying!). But when I'm getting a few chores done in the process? It rocks!
I also do housework while talking on the phone. I actually get a LOT done that way. And it's painless.
Kelly, You could make a shorter list!
Lynne, I personal think dust could be a decorative statement
Asianmommy, I am glad to know I an not the only one that rips and forgets as she reads Real Simple.
Bruce, Sometimes non productive goofing off is the most restorative thing to do.
Carol, I do the same thing. I pick up the phone and move towards the dishwasher to unload and load as I talk!