Being Smart Versus Being Strong
Posted by Mitch Mitchell on Dec 9, 2009
I'm sitting here hurting all over my body right now. It's the result of the first true snowfall of the year, and my going outside and shoveling the driveway. Usually we hire someone to do it for us, but we weren't pleased with who we had last year and have been looking around for someone else to do it.
There's something about shoveling snow that I usually enjoy, but not this time. It was wet, heavy snow, and there's no fun ever when you have to try to get that stuff out of the way. However, there are two ways you can handle it.
One way is the wrong way, and the way I started at it. That's to try to use brute force to just get it done. Something many of us don't learn quickly, and for me after almost 40 years of living in snowy areas, is that speed really isn't the way to go when you're trying to remove snow physically. With speed, you have to exert a lot of force. When the snow is light and fluffy, that's not so bad. When it's heavy and wet, it just builds up quicker, and fights back against you. Then you get into having to lift and throw it, and that can be problematic.
The best way to remove heavy, wet snow is to skim at the edges of it, starting with a little bit, pushing it, letting some more accumulate along the way but not too much, and when you get to the edge just packing it tight and starting again. True, it seems to take longer, but does it really? The truth is that I barely lasted 20 minutes doing it the way I started before I had to take a break. My heart was pounding hard and I felt like I could be in distress. After the break, when I went back to do it the way I should have started, it took me maybe 30 minutes, but when I finished I wasn't out of breath, my heart wasn't pounding as heavy, and I still got a pretty good workout.
The essence of getting things done isn't always being stronger or trying harder. The essence of getting things done is thinking of easier ways to do it. It's like how I'm writing these days for other people. I am learning that sometimes I over-research, which wastes time that I could use to work on the next project. It's my attempt to try to be thorough, but what happens is that I end up seeing a lot of duplicate information. Sometimes there's a nugget, but just now much information does one need to do their work?
Just something to try to remember because, if the weatherman is correct, more snow could be on the way, and being smarter will definitely be more beneficial
With time being our most precious commodity, I can understand why your first goal was to be done with this task quickly, Mitch.
I’m the same way with many personal and professional projects outside of conducting seminars.
Your decision to complete the mission with a better method is a great example of why, like me, you’re sought after by corporations searching for professionals who can channel their employees in the same manner.
Isn’t it great to apply the solutions you provide to clients?
.-= Shirley George Frazier´s last blog ..How to Create an Online Policy for Staff and Students =-.
Yes it is, Shirley, but it’s funny how even those of us who help others with these concepts sometimes have to take time to remember them for ourselves.
Hello
I also like shoveling snow and its something fun for me.I never take it as work.Its interesting for me to read this post.I like that you share your experience with us.
Thanks Rose. I share my stories when I can, and hope to impart a little assistance along the way.