Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.
American comedian, actor, and author George Carlin was born on this day in 1937 (died 2008).
Just think of all the things we’d get done…if we had the time.
I’ve had people tell me that they didn’t know how I managed to do everything that I do because I always seem so busy.
There’s some truth in that. I do always seem busy. At least that’s the story I tell on social media.
While that might make me look efficient and sometimes even super human, what I’m generally not posting about is all of the things that aren’t getting done.
We will not have the discussion that I might be more productive and get more things done were I not posting on social media.
No. No we will not.
Social media is an interesting phenomenon. There are studies (and for that matter, who has time to study?) that show that we all tend to post only the good and happy things from our lives when the reality is much more sobering.
We carefully edit photos of the pets so that the dirty dishes in the sink, or the laundry on the couch don’t show. We talk about all the wonderful things we’re doing this weekend and don’t mention that the toilet is leaking or the car needs tires.
We don’t talk about the fact that there’s one packet of ramen or one box of mac and cheese between us and next payday.
No, that’s not life for everyone. It’s not even me on a regular basis. We all have different struggles and challenges. And most of us hide the real struggles from other people.
Whatever challenges we face, we all have the same amount of time in which to deal with them. True, resources at our disposal will vary. It’s a matter of working with what we’ve got.
All I know is that, whilst in the day job, I’m dreaming of how things could be. And trust me on this, I am constantly asking why…or WTF? Your query may vary.
I don’t do well with pretentious people. I don’t do well with people who think they are smarter than I am, even though it’s highly likely they are. I don’t do well with minutiae or bureaucracy, which is a bit problematic since I’ve spent my life in politics and government.
In those years I have learned that I can’t respond with a blistering email outlining the general stupidity of the task or policy. It’s just not worth the time.
People who think they are important-er than you aren’t going to take kindly to your suggestions that they don’t know what they’re talking about.
Especially when it’s obvious to everyone, and to them if they’d admit it, that they don’t.
So, again it all comes down to how you deal with things. How you respond.
Carlin also said: If you can’t beat them, arrange to have them beaten.
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