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I have been struggling of late with all the things I need to get done and all I am responsible for. My favorite way of dealing with tasks is to make a list. Sometimes it helps, and sometimes it doesn't!
Back in April, I posted a conversation I had with Boromir, based on the Council of Elrond, about the List of Doom. Click here to review what took place at that Council:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/lin4gondor/6249.html#cutid1
Just today, I had another conversation with Boromir about my List and how to deal with it. Was he helpful or not? You be the judge...
Linaewen's Bane... A Conversation with Boromir
**Linaewen is reclining in Boromir's Lazy Boy recliner, looking rather sad and disheveled, with a worried expression on her face. Boromir enters the room, carrying a tray laden with crackers and cheese. He notices immediately that Linaewen is not herself.**
Boromir: (trying to sound cheerful and lighthearted) Have some food, Linaewen. The cheese is especially good -- sharp cheddar from Wisconsin.
Lin: (turning her head away) No, Boromir.
Boromir: (sternly) You have eaten nothing all day, nor have you slept. Do not think I have not noticed? Is something wrong?
Lin: I'm all right!
**Boromir sets down the tray and stands before Linaewen, hands on hips, glowering with disapproval.**
Boromir: I think not! I can see you have been tearing your hair out and biting your lip -- and you are wringing your hands as we speak!
**Linaewen quickly stops wringing her hands, and sits on them. She scowls at Boromir, then sighs heavily.**
Boromir: (coaxingly) Tell me, Linaewen. What is wrong?
**Linaewen sighs again, wearily.**
Linaewen: It's the List... it's getting heavier...
**Boromir frowns and shakes his head in dismay.**
Boromir: I was afraid of this! The List of Doom, Linaewen's Bane -- alas, that its strength and its length is growing! You will be hard put to it to defend yourself against the Ruling List of Real World Things Yet to Be Done.
**Boromir lays his hand on Linaewen's shoulder.**
Boromir: But fear not! I will help you bear the burden of this List, as long as these tasks are yours to bear. But we must do something, soon. The List is growing longer by the moment.
Lin: It's a pity I didn't do everything on the List when I had the chance!
Boromir: Pity? It was pity that kept you from saying 'let someone else do that job' -- pity, and mercy to not let the burden fall on others who are also overworked. Yet pity and mercy can backfire when there are so many jobs to be done. Many who seem not to have enough to do deserve less free time, and some who work harder than others deserve more rest and many coffee breaks. Can you give it to them, Linaewen? Then do not be too eager to take on their workload for them, even when they say they have too much to do. Even the very wise cannot do everything written on their own Lists, if they take on too many jobs which ought to be done by other people.
**Linaewen removes the List of Doom from her pocket and gazes at it thoughtfully.**
Lin: Yes, but it is worthy work, and I just can't say no!
**Boromir leans closer and speaks more persuasively.**
Boromir: You carry a heavy burdensome List of your own, Linaewen. Do not also attempt to carry the weight of other people's lists.
Lin: But if I don't do it, no one will!
Boromir: (shaking his head in exasperation) That is a popular misconception held by many overworked people who bear exceedingly long Lists.
Lin: (sighing loudly) I wish the List had never come to me. I wish I had done my work in a more timely fashion, because then it would be finished and I could do fun things like watch my LOTR DVD's and write inklings.
Boromir: So do all who live to see such Lists, but that is not for them to decide. All you have to decide is what to do with the List that is given you. There are other people who work in the world, Linaewen, though there may be few with Lists as long as yours! You -- and no other -- were meant to have this One List; in which case, you also are meant to complete all the tasks written upon it.
Lin: That is NOT an encouraging thought!
**Linaewen falls silent, as if thinking over what Boromir has said. Boromir waits patiently for a moment, but when she does not speak, he grows tired of waiting and helps himself to some crackers and cheese.**
Lin: (after a long silence) What must I do?
**Boromir chokes slightly, and spits cracker crumbs as he tries to speak with his mouth full.**
Boromir: Cast the List into the fire!
Lin: We don't have a fire. Besides, the Ruling List cannot be destroyed, remember? It belongs to the Real World, and can never be utterly destroyed, for another List will take its place. As long as this List is in the world, I shall be bound by it, until all the tasks are accomplished.
Boromir: Very well! Since there is no way to destroy the List, then let me carry it for you. Perhaps I can even do some of these tasks listed here... (He looks at the List over Linaewen's shoulder and frowns) Laundry? Hmmm, on second thought...
Lin: (interrupting, much to Boromir's relief) No, Boromir; it is my List, mine alone. It is for me to carry and look at and attempt half-heartedly to do everything listed on it at once. That is what we call multi-tasking.
Boromir: What chance do you think you have? This List is too heavy for you -- multitasking or no multi-tasking. (He reaches out his hand for the List) If you would but lend me the List...?
Lin: No!
Boromir: Give it to me! Give me the List!
**Linaewen looks at Boromir with narrowed eyes, but he seems so sure of himself, that she wavers; at last, the thought of the heavy List is too much for her, and she pushes the List into Boromir's hands. He looks it over quickly, then tears off the top portion and hands it back to Linaewen; the remainder of the List he tucks into his tunic.**
Boromir: There -- now your List of Doom is not so heavy.
**Linaewen looks at the List, and begins to smile, as she realizes the List is suddenly much shorter and more manageable.**
Lin: Why, I do believe I can actually manage to finish these jobs today -- maybe even before suppertime!
Boromir: With time left for the writing of inklings, perhaps?
Lin: (happily) Yes, I think there will even be time for some inkling writing.
**Boromir looks pleased. Linaewen climbs out of the Lazy Boy and gives him a quick hug.**
Lin: Thank you for your help, Boromir. I could never have managed the List without you. (She suddenly notices the cheese tray) Say! Is that sharp cheddar...?
Boromir: Indeed it is! Sharp cheddar of the highest quality.
Lin: Do I have time for a snack before I begin my work?
Boromir: (holding out the tray with a bow) Of course! There is always time for cheese!
**As they sit munching cheese and crackers, Linaewen watches Boromir thoughtfully.**
Lin: (sweetly) Say, Boromir, I realize you don't do laundry, but I was wondering... Have you ever considered the joys of wielding a vacuum cleaner........?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Linaewen
Back in April, I posted a conversation I had with Boromir, based on the Council of Elrond, about the List of Doom. Click here to review what took place at that Council:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/lin4gondor/6249.html#cutid1
Just today, I had another conversation with Boromir about my List and how to deal with it. Was he helpful or not? You be the judge...
Linaewen's Bane... A Conversation with Boromir
**Linaewen is reclining in Boromir's Lazy Boy recliner, looking rather sad and disheveled, with a worried expression on her face. Boromir enters the room, carrying a tray laden with crackers and cheese. He notices immediately that Linaewen is not herself.**
Boromir: (trying to sound cheerful and lighthearted) Have some food, Linaewen. The cheese is especially good -- sharp cheddar from Wisconsin.
Lin: (turning her head away) No, Boromir.
Boromir: (sternly) You have eaten nothing all day, nor have you slept. Do not think I have not noticed? Is something wrong?
Lin: I'm all right!
**Boromir sets down the tray and stands before Linaewen, hands on hips, glowering with disapproval.**
Boromir: I think not! I can see you have been tearing your hair out and biting your lip -- and you are wringing your hands as we speak!
**Linaewen quickly stops wringing her hands, and sits on them. She scowls at Boromir, then sighs heavily.**
Boromir: (coaxingly) Tell me, Linaewen. What is wrong?
**Linaewen sighs again, wearily.**
Linaewen: It's the List... it's getting heavier...
**Boromir frowns and shakes his head in dismay.**
Boromir: I was afraid of this! The List of Doom, Linaewen's Bane -- alas, that its strength and its length is growing! You will be hard put to it to defend yourself against the Ruling List of Real World Things Yet to Be Done.
**Boromir lays his hand on Linaewen's shoulder.**
Boromir: But fear not! I will help you bear the burden of this List, as long as these tasks are yours to bear. But we must do something, soon. The List is growing longer by the moment.
Lin: It's a pity I didn't do everything on the List when I had the chance!
Boromir: Pity? It was pity that kept you from saying 'let someone else do that job' -- pity, and mercy to not let the burden fall on others who are also overworked. Yet pity and mercy can backfire when there are so many jobs to be done. Many who seem not to have enough to do deserve less free time, and some who work harder than others deserve more rest and many coffee breaks. Can you give it to them, Linaewen? Then do not be too eager to take on their workload for them, even when they say they have too much to do. Even the very wise cannot do everything written on their own Lists, if they take on too many jobs which ought to be done by other people.
**Linaewen removes the List of Doom from her pocket and gazes at it thoughtfully.**
Lin: Yes, but it is worthy work, and I just can't say no!
**Boromir leans closer and speaks more persuasively.**
Boromir: You carry a heavy burdensome List of your own, Linaewen. Do not also attempt to carry the weight of other people's lists.
Lin: But if I don't do it, no one will!
Boromir: (shaking his head in exasperation) That is a popular misconception held by many overworked people who bear exceedingly long Lists.
Lin: (sighing loudly) I wish the List had never come to me. I wish I had done my work in a more timely fashion, because then it would be finished and I could do fun things like watch my LOTR DVD's and write inklings.
Boromir: So do all who live to see such Lists, but that is not for them to decide. All you have to decide is what to do with the List that is given you. There are other people who work in the world, Linaewen, though there may be few with Lists as long as yours! You -- and no other -- were meant to have this One List; in which case, you also are meant to complete all the tasks written upon it.
Lin: That is NOT an encouraging thought!
**Linaewen falls silent, as if thinking over what Boromir has said. Boromir waits patiently for a moment, but when she does not speak, he grows tired of waiting and helps himself to some crackers and cheese.**
Lin: (after a long silence) What must I do?
**Boromir chokes slightly, and spits cracker crumbs as he tries to speak with his mouth full.**
Boromir: Cast the List into the fire!
Lin: We don't have a fire. Besides, the Ruling List cannot be destroyed, remember? It belongs to the Real World, and can never be utterly destroyed, for another List will take its place. As long as this List is in the world, I shall be bound by it, until all the tasks are accomplished.
Boromir: Very well! Since there is no way to destroy the List, then let me carry it for you. Perhaps I can even do some of these tasks listed here... (He looks at the List over Linaewen's shoulder and frowns) Laundry? Hmmm, on second thought...
Lin: (interrupting, much to Boromir's relief) No, Boromir; it is my List, mine alone. It is for me to carry and look at and attempt half-heartedly to do everything listed on it at once. That is what we call multi-tasking.
Boromir: What chance do you think you have? This List is too heavy for you -- multitasking or no multi-tasking. (He reaches out his hand for the List) If you would but lend me the List...?
Lin: No!
Boromir: Give it to me! Give me the List!
**Linaewen looks at Boromir with narrowed eyes, but he seems so sure of himself, that she wavers; at last, the thought of the heavy List is too much for her, and she pushes the List into Boromir's hands. He looks it over quickly, then tears off the top portion and hands it back to Linaewen; the remainder of the List he tucks into his tunic.**
Boromir: There -- now your List of Doom is not so heavy.
**Linaewen looks at the List, and begins to smile, as she realizes the List is suddenly much shorter and more manageable.**
Lin: Why, I do believe I can actually manage to finish these jobs today -- maybe even before suppertime!
Boromir: With time left for the writing of inklings, perhaps?
Lin: (happily) Yes, I think there will even be time for some inkling writing.
**Boromir looks pleased. Linaewen climbs out of the Lazy Boy and gives him a quick hug.**
Lin: Thank you for your help, Boromir. I could never have managed the List without you. (She suddenly notices the cheese tray) Say! Is that sharp cheddar...?
Boromir: Indeed it is! Sharp cheddar of the highest quality.
Lin: Do I have time for a snack before I begin my work?
Boromir: (holding out the tray with a bow) Of course! There is always time for cheese!
**As they sit munching cheese and crackers, Linaewen watches Boromir thoughtfully.**
Lin: (sweetly) Say, Boromir, I realize you don't do laundry, but I was wondering... Have you ever considered the joys of wielding a vacuum cleaner........?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Linaewen
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As my ol' Gaffer says...
Date: 2004-10-21 07:45 am (UTC)From:Ada says; I heard a millionaire once say he works on a A B C D system; throw the D things away, if they are important they will come back as C items, work only on A items as all others will become A items. Focus on A items one at a time, no order just do them once and for all and move on to the next A item when you run out of A items for that day good read a book or take a walk, jog, swim, take a nap, because tomorrow you will have more A items to work on. He said sometimes I only "work" for one or two hours a day and then take time for myself.
Now I know a little about your life and this might not work as well for you. Lots of A items to start with BUT, it is a method to consider.
Love Peace Happiness,
Ada
no subject
Date: 2004-10-21 07:46 am (UTC)From:I never tire of these wonderful conversations! How wonderful, to have a Borormir of your very own!
no subject
Date: 2004-10-21 08:14 am (UTC)From:You HUGGED him??? You, a married woman????
LOL, I loved it. I also enjoyed the quietly disguised vent about some folks having not enough to do...good for you, and for Boromir!!
no subject
Date: 2004-10-21 08:16 am (UTC)From:Thanks for the laughs!
Date: 2004-10-21 09:15 am (UTC)From:At least I crossed a few off the list yesterday. I hate to see what items have taken their places though
Ah, well back I go to them all....
no subject
Date: 2004-10-21 09:27 am (UTC)From:I've missed these! Wonderful to see the two of you talking...arguing...agreeing again! I too make myself lists, long lists, when I have much to do - not unlike you, they never seem to get finished. But Boromir's idea is good - tear it in half... ;)
((((Both of you))))
no subject
Date: 2004-10-21 10:52 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2004-10-21 10:54 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2004-10-21 11:14 am (UTC)From: