busy-ness

for those who know me, even in passing, you know that, well, I do a lot. I'm just a busy person--always have been. My wife likes to say that I always have to be the one that "turns the lights out", too. She's right. Ultimately, what this all means is that I am perpetually looking around the next corner, so as not to be caught by surprise too often.
right now, I'm in Charleston, SC for the Southern Conference Basketball Tournament, with the UNCG Basketball Band, which I conduct. It's a fun group, they sound great, and we always tend to have a good time. (which is largely why I am involved with it) An old friend met me last night, who I haven't seen in probably 6-7 years. As we talked over dinner, and were telling each other about our current lives, etc., I began listing all the things I have on my plate--the response was "don't you ever learn?" I guess, in some ways, no, I don't. There is nothing I do that I don't enjoy, really, and I feel I can contribute positively to each one of them.
so where is all this going?--to talk about the fact that everyone has a level of busy-ness to which they attain. For some, it's a cosmopolitan life, full of high profile kinds of things, others will have more mundane things to keep up with--whatever your style, profile, etc. one still has to be able to cope and deal with their level of busy-ness. for many, having a plan, or system, is the way it all comes together. I've read many a self improvement book over the years, but the one I keep coming back to is Stephen Covey's, "7 Habits". I won't say that I live his writings to the letter, not by a long shot, but I have embraced the ideas of keeping everything in perspective and assigning parts of my life into the quadrants he suggests. It really does help me get to everything in a decently good manner.
People talk about talent. X player is "naturally talented", and so forth. I've heard that said about me, much to my surprise. That said, my talents are not in tuba playing, although that's my career. I honestly believe my talents are in organizing, scheduling, etc. My mind can see solutions like that--which allows me to be able to find the time to practice, etc. Still, obviously, I've need help over the years, and books like Covey's do offer practical solutions.
so, with all this rambling, the bottom line is: we all need to examine what we do and why we do it, in order to make sure the "how" of doing it is accomplished in as good a way as possible.
happy scheduling!