No joke. I've got lots to do. In fact, if I was sleeping right now I believe I'd be making better use of my time. But...I'll get sleep later. Since July and into June of next year, the Air Force insists that I read and write quite a lot. The classwork and research could easily consume 15 hours a day. I'll find time for that too. For now, I blog.
I want to briefly introduce you to a couple of ideas that have been bouncing around in my noggin lately. One is a character issue; perhaps it is better described as my struggle against my humanity. It's an inward, personal battle. I've taken to calling it the Tyranny of Me (there's no i in team, but there is a me. you get the picture.). The other is related, but has much stronger outside influence. I call it the Tyranny of the Urgent. I suspect you'll see some of these in future posts. For now, just an introduction.
I was talking to my friend Dragon the other day about the Tyranny of Me (TOM) and his thoughts on the subject will be helpful as I describe it to you. Dragon boils this entire problem down to pride; and that's not a bad way to think of it. It's very simple. It's my daily struggle with pride, selfishness, instant gratification, and entitlement. The desire to fulfill my wants, meet my needs, and complete my personal to-do list often interferes with my desire and obligation to serve my wife, children, and God. The more I think about it the more easily it has become to categorize many of my daily failings as another loss to TOM.
Unfortunately, TOM is not alone. I also fight the Tyranny of the Urgent (TOTU). TOTU is a prioritization problem. Why is it so difficult? Because it is the trying to separate the important from the urgent (yes, this might be a Covey repackaging. Cut me some slack, please.). Don't misunderstand me; there are urgent issues in life. And those issues require attention and action. But, the American lifestyle has a tendency to improperly make all things urgent. So I'm trying to improve my "important" filter so that more important things get through over those unimportant, urgent things. The scary part about TOTU is his relation to TOM; they're brothers. At the very least they are working with the same commander's intent. How do I know? So many times I fall to the temptation of TOM and as a direct result I am fighting TOTU. Ouch.
Okay. TOM and TOTU are my personal Sirens. They sing and Spleen's natural reaction is to run to them (there's a Bryan Adams reference here if you want; sing with me "cuz when the feelin's right, I'm gonna run all night, I'm gonna run to you"). I'll keep working on the filters and you'll likely see my struggles here. And I'm open to thoughts and suggestions.
-Spleen sends.
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2 comments:
You're fighting universal problems here babe. At least I like to tell myself they're universal because I struggle with them too. I didn't assign them cute little acronyms though. That must be the military man coming out in you. Anyway, just want you to know I love you. You're doing a great job fighting the twins. Love, Mis
Interesting thoughts, Spleen. I see it as a struggle between egoism and constructivism (hope I'm not misusing these words). The ego in us always acts in our self interest. This nests with Dragon's pride concept. Some people have more than others, while some seem to display almost altruistic behavior. On the other hand is constructivism, and that vein runs deep in us Americans. I'm reminded of something we read last year in CGSC that outlined the 13 most important principles to Americans as seen from a foreign point of view. We are industrius and time driven. Interesting how we balance the two. If you haven't already read it, you might look up "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert Pirsig. He outlines similar thoughts. It seems to be a book that you either love or hate - give it a shot.
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