Information Overload

An article on power of writing states that “Life-based writing is one of the most reliable and effective ways to heal, change and grow. ….“Journal therapy -- the purposeful and intentional use of reflective writing to further mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health and wellness -- is an effective means of providing focus and clarity to issues, concerns, conflicts and confusions”

I have realized that if I write down a purpose in life, a wish or a plan, I usually get around to doing it. This is synonymous with a training given to us about harboring a habit of writing down what we intend to do in the next 10 years, a month, a week or in a daily activity chart. The trainer, talked to us about how, when we write something down and intend to give it a timeline of perhaps 7yrs, we are more likely to get it down before 5yrs time frame is up.

Based on this theory, I decided to write down my wish list two days back and organize my life yesterday. I gave myself a week and today I have already crossed off a few things I intended to get around to doing by the end of the week. This included working on the transport issue and to get a healthy, eat healthy plan and more organized work life amongst other things.

But, what I didn’t count on was an eclipse of common observation in the heat of self absorption and directional focused strategical energy. So absorbed was I in my “planned-out- work- load” that I dialed my own number from the land line instead of the client’s number, turned on the speaker button on my desk phone and waited. My mobile phone rang on cue; without a second thought, I reached out, picked up my mobile phone without glancing at the screen as I had my eyes on the land phone. Than, to take the situation one step further into its heights of oblivion, I answered my own mobile phone and heard my own voice speaking out on the speaker phone. And even than, I frowned, wondering why the client sounded like me without instant realization.

A split second later, red with embarrassment, hoping that my neighboring colleague won’t notice, I cut off the phone, pressed a button to remove the speaker tone and dialed my client. This time I managed the right number. I spent the rest of the morning laughing at my state of total absent mindedness.

So, next time any of you are so preoccupied with making things work, remember that the brain can take so much multitasking per minute or per second. Information, planning and organizing overload can take the brain cells on a joyride.

I don't know what others would have done in my situation but I had to make an instant remedy to such a faux pas this morning, I took a tea break and added two entire spoonfuls of sugar to re-adjust my brain cells back into normal functioning level while still chuckling to myself.

Mark Twain: "There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside of the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy and a tragedy."