circles of influence [0322.2000]

I can't do everything. I realize that. It irks me though. I'd like to do everything. Like rebuild linkwatcher. Like take a stand against patents. Like do something for myself besides contract work. But 90% of my time is tied up in obligations I have to my client. I don't even need the money. I just want to deliver on my promise and be done with it. It's just frustrating.

I'm re-reading Covey's 7 Habits... He talks about circles of influence vs circles of concern. Right now, my circle of influence is pretty damn small - I'm so busy with this project, I have little time or enery for anything else. But my circle of concern - all the stuff I want to influence is huge.

Covey says focus on what you can influence, and your power will grow. I guess that makes sense. If I put all my energy into getting this project done, I'd get it done sooner, and wind up with a fat paycheck, which buys me a lot of free time to do my real work.

Used to be that when it got like this I'd just quit. I'm different now. Plus I'm paid by the hour :). But whatever. I committed to this. I'll get it done. And that probably means we'll miss our target date for opening zike. And that probably means the new and improved linkwatcher won't be new or improved for a few weeks.

Well, okay. If that's the way it's got to be. I guess sometimes you just have to make sacrifices. I didn't ever think that I'd have to sacrifice working on the thing I want to achieve in order to acheive it.. But just letting it be late certainly frees up a lot of mental energy.

Multi-tasking kills projects. If my client learned that, he'd be a lot richer and under much less stress. But its a hard lesson for anyone who wants to do it all. Trust me, I know.

Well, I guess that's it. You probably won't hear from me for a few days. And if I focus, mabye this'll get wrapped up quicker then I think. See you on the other side.