When did you most recently have an extended period when your "to do" list seemed overwhelming? The last several months have often felt that way for me.
On one hand, I'm grateful for my full and engaged life. On the flip side, I do find myself occasionally fantasizing about how freeing it would be to have a personal assistant to shop for groceries for house guests, get my car to the dealer for a factory recall, schedule doctor's appointments. I'd continue my kvetching if I thought nobody might notice how hopelessly privileged this sounds.
Though I expect no one to endorse or join my whining, I also suspect I'm not alone here. No doubt, I indulge this privileged fantasy during periods like this because these mundane tasks interfere with what I think I'd be doing if someone else did day-to-day stuff for me. But would I? If that personal assistant suddenly appeared in your life, would you do all - or even some of - those things you think you'd like to do?
While wallowing in fantasy land, why not go for broke? Given the opportunity, wouldn't you enjoy asking Sir Elton and several of his brethren which of the things they thought they would do they actually got around to doing, given all the hours they got back having a personal assistant? Though I'm sure any of you could easily tick off a long list of things you'd enjoy handing off to that imaginary assistant, in case you need one time-sucking vortex to get you started - one that has tormented me for several months - how about starting your imaginary PA's job description thus: Assume ALL Internet duties. This includes, but is not limited to, responding to e-mail, making purchases, filling out forms, managing passwords.
This is great, Pat. Reminds me of the Rod Chast cartoon I have hanging up near my desk. The title is: Friend's With Actual Benefits
ReplyDeleteAnd the friends like do paperwork, or empty the litter box, or move the car to the other side of the street.
I remember Jody Foster noticing that so many people she knew paid someone to walk their dog, watch their kid, make their food, she said, "they're basically paying someone to live their lives." But--if I did have a PA--I'm with Roz--mine would do all of my paperwork.
Regina; Thanks for the comment. I too love what Jodie Foster said but holding onto my PA fantasy for a few more days seems like a good - if temporary - coping mechanism given my onerous "to dos".
Delete