I have always been a dreamer and found comfort in my visions. Lately though, when I close my eyes at night all I see is that scene from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. You know, the one with Mickey Mouse down in the cellar trying to keep up with all the water flowing in. Like Mickey in the little pointed hat with the stars and moons, I too look for magic solutions--magic ways to multiply myself and my productivity.

I must admit that I have not mastered this skill. If I had, I would not be 3 days late in completing this article. I am still learning, so writing this is more like mental programming than the sharing of wisdom.

Once you realize that your plate is full--or rather that the water is flowing in faster than you can handle--you must shut off the faucet. Start saying no in the beginning of the conversation. And don’t stop saying no until they hang up the phone.

The next step is the classic--Itemize, prioritize and finalize. Do not get mired down in petty details. Focus on what is important and complete one major task every day.

The last part has been the hardest for me. I once saw a book titled All You Can Do Is All You Can Do. My problem is that I would continually expand what I could do--by working more hours, nights and weekends. With expanded capability, I could take on more and more and somehow find time get it all done. My mantra was (is) "I’m not a workaholic; I just have lots of work to do." That gets really old after 10 or 15 years, and the burn-out factor is real. The new message is "All You Can Do Is All You Choose to Do." So choose wisely.

The work will never run out—and you never know how long the magic of life will last. You may be overwhelmed, but nobody lies on their deathbed saying "I wish I would have spent more time at the office."

Copyright 2002, D. Thomas Basham