mindful monday : clarity of process

October 3, 2011 in Uncategorized

JohnnyDepp26 I'm actually in the process of streamling business processes.

Given that I didn't really have any business processes to begin with, it is an exercise in creating and streamlining all at the very same moment.

It is relieving me of stress in ways I never imagined, stress I never really knew I had, but felt. Deeply, deeply felt.

So, as I joked with Jen Louden and Susan Piver during our recent writing retreat in Boston (to be repeated in the Asheville, North Carolina, area in October 2012!), I NOW HAVE MY VERY FIRST SPREADSHEET! WHOLE-E-COW!

I also have a method for capturing business expenses and recording them (Fujitsu portable scanner + Expensify), for capturing notes and images and files I want to be able to find again–without using paper (Evernote), for keeping track of passwords and generating safe ones (Roboform), for keeping track of money (QuickBooks online), for project management (ProjectTurf), and for online contracts (Our Deal).

I will actually have a workflow set up by the end of October that will hum along like a well-oiled machine, for the first time in my 52 years on this planet (this time around).

Can I tell you how relieved I am? What? I already mentioned that? I AM MENTIONING IT AGAIN. That's how important it is.

My calendars are all synced.

My Verizon bill is still too high. But when I took my Droid in and told them I was unsatisfied with the sound, they gave me a brand new one, for free.

My scotch tape is in ONE PLACE in my house.

After six years of writing here, I am creating a new website for 37days, one that is free of bells and whistles and clutter, one that focuses on image and word and thought. (By the way, what would YOU most like to see on this site? Some have mentioned better searching capabilities… leave your wishes in the comments to this post).

I now know how to scan, email, and create expense reports. And I know how to train someone else to do that, too.

All my travel information is in one place. No more getting to the airport and not knowing 1) Where I am going; 2) What airline I'm taking to get there.; 3) When and how I'm coming back.

There is still much to do. Yes. But it is getting done. By October 31st.

This is no ordinary deadline, one of those we skip right over and suddenly it is the 4th of July. This is THE DEADLINE.

The attic will be empty so I can paint it all white, including the floors, and put my orange desk in there and my quilt by Jane LaFazio and my artwork by Mary Campbell and readers from around the world.

Yes it will.

What will you do to simplify your life and house and space and mind by the end of October?

Why the Johnny Depp photo? Because I am obviously freeing up time to stalk him more efficiently.

 

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

15 comments to " mindful monday : clarity of process "

  • Reply
    kate
    October 3, 2011 AT 11:51AM

    did you realize that he actually looks a bit like you? maybe you stalk because he is your long-lost…. brother? celebrity uncle on your cousing Etta’s side? nephew?

  • Reply
    KimMailhot
    October 3, 2011 AT 11:58AM

    One thing I have been doing since the writing retreat in Boston is asking myself “Does this fit into what your heart really wants to do ?” whenever I need to make a decision. That has meant letting things fall by the way side or some quick changes in the plans to accomodate those “wants and/or needs. But it has given me a relief from doing things because of old patterns or feelings of obligation.
    So much tidying to be done, but man, the space looks sweet when those dust bunnies are gone !
    Love you, Writer-lady !

    (PS : thanks for the Johnny Time !)

  • Reply
    Debbie Kelley
    October 3, 2011 AT 12:38PM

    You are such an inspiration ! I can do this…I need to do this…the time to take action is now ! I am working on setting boundaries, priorities and schedules. Organizing my life will probably allow me to sleep better at night ! Now to set my deadline…

  • Reply
    Jordi
    October 3, 2011 AT 2:28PM

    Once you have it securely under your belt I would love to hear how you use evernote. I have a huge bunch of stuff there, but it is worse than an attic, I can’t really find things on the fly… which is why I put them there in the first place. I AM a database person but sometimes it seems my life does not work in a database, and I would really like to use it. I have a little app on my blackberry where I put to do lists and to buy lists and that works, but I would like Evernote to be my one and only. I want to hear what you think after you have used it a while and how YOU organize complications….

  • Reply
    playvrane
    October 3, 2011 AT 7:49PM

    What would I like to see?

    Just continue to inspire me and make me think and reflect. I like that.

    And you being in sync, sounds a bit scary good.

    Jodi

  • Reply
    jylene
    October 4, 2011 AT 6:41AM

    i hope you won’t change your site too much because i love it. i find it very user-friendly, and easy to find things. just don’t lose my email address because i like getting the notifications when you have a new post! this also makes it easy to forward a particularly good one.

    btw, do you know when CIAV on CD will be shipped? and thank you for continuing your work. i find it so very helpful and inspiring!

  • Reply
    Jane LaFazio
    October 4, 2011 AT 10:23AM

    wow!! I am totally impressed! I’m going to research some of your organization links. Like for instance, the passwords and the travel one (hello, what airline? what time? and what did you say my destination was?)
    and thanks big for the mention.
    Can’t wait to see your new space.
    love your new profile photo too!

  • Reply
    Bea
    October 4, 2011 AT 2:32PM

    When I read/saw this, I immediately thought of you……

    Mr. Depp will be featured in the 2011-November isue of Vanity Fair!

    In addition to an article about the actor, he will also be gracing the magazine’s cover!

    Sneak peek:
    http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2011/10/johnny-depp-scientology-highest-paid-actor

    Just lovely!!!!

    ;)

  • Reply
    Becky
    October 4, 2011 AT 8:19PM

    I use google calendar. No more paper calendar for me. So happens I’ve linked Matt’s work and school calendar and Maddy’s grade school calendar as well.

    I’ve hired a maid again to come deep clean once a month. I can keep up by myself, kind of, but I always feel like I’m cleaning. This allows me to 1. Breath a sigh of relief knowing that even if I don’t get to it in a week, it will get done in the next month and that I will always start off with a clean slate.

    I’m done waiting and procrastinating. I finished a project that’s been hovering over my head for months and i have a few more on the burner. But I’m hiring those out. Matt is busy with work and grad school and it’s time to realize our time is more important than our funds… so I’m hiring those out.

  • Reply
    Amy McCracken
    October 4, 2011 AT 10:43PM

    Wow, Petey! Good work!! Proud of you!

  • Reply
    Becky
    October 5, 2011 AT 9:42AM

    Guess what I did today!!!! I ordered a custom picture frame for a print we bought OVER SEVEN YEARS AGO. Yes, it’s FINALLY going to get hung up! And I made phone calls to schedule a carpet cleaning and painting two rooms. Whoot! Time to get long term projects done. Yes, yes I will!

  • Reply
    Gwyn Michael
    October 6, 2011 AT 3:47PM

    Just keep being you Patti! I love that you are making a space for your self and freeing up your stalking time.

    I am in a similar place trying to finish some house projects and GET RID OF STUFF to make my spaces most functional and comfortable.My goal is the end of November.

  • Reply
    Gwyn Michael
    October 6, 2011 AT 3:47PM

    Just keep being you Patti! I love that you are making a space for your self and freeing up your stalking time.

    I am in a similar place trying to finish some house projects and GET RID OF STUFF to make my spaces most functional and comfortable.My goal is the end of November.

  • Reply
    Effy
    October 9, 2011 AT 11:50AM

    As always, you inspire me. <3

  • Reply
    Peggy
    October 10, 2011 AT 12:39AM

    I’m on my way home from spending 4 days with my younger son, Ben, in California. He has inspired me to attack my visual clutter and edit my ‘things’ down to the essentials. It calms his mind, he says, and makes more space for creative thought – and increased productivity.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *