Living the 80/20 Life

I was just elected president of my homeowners association! Congratulations to me? A blessing or a curse? Time will tell.

I have been on my homeowners’ board for many years. There is a commitment involved. That’s OK. But now I am ratcheting it up another notch as board president, with more responsibility, more challenges, and more complaints/requests and demands on my time.

Why did I agree? I am ONLY trying to launch a successful business, maintain a long-distance relationship, AND…caregive an elderly loved one with a challenging personality!!! Do I really need to be dealing with more decision making, administrative tasks, problem solving, complaining people, thankless responsibility?

No! But that’s not why I am doing it.

I am doing it as my contribution to my community. But MORE IMPORTANT, I am doing it because I want to feel normal. I want to feel I can take on projects, tasks, and commitments just like I used to. I don’t want to surrender to the tsunami that is caregiving – if you let it.

There’s this saying: 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people.

There’s another saying: If you want something done, give it to a busy person.

I never would have thought these sayings would apply to me. Until now.

So I spend time researching the best planner. Time blocking to the rescue! (except when the day blows up by 9 a.m.).

I sign up for “Eat at Home” challenges to motivate myself to meal prep for a week (hasn’t happened yet).

I watch organizing videos trying to figure out the perfect system for managing files, paperwork, and everything else (browsing the aisles at Staples is actually quite soothing).

Bottom line: I’m still seeking out that magic bullet (or bullets!) that will somehow keep everything on track. So that I can have my life.

It is a continual work in progress. But I refuse to give up. Because giving up would mean surrender. And that just ain’t going to happen!