Trying to accomplish more with the finite time and resources that we have available is one point of focus for this blog. Like you, I’m always trying to do more. Every day it’s struggle to get everything done that I want to do, let alone that I should do.
Every once in awhile, I do try to step back and take a look at the resources that we have as a family and try to figure out how to get more accomplished. I’d really like to do this without nagging the kids. I’m not as successful as I’d like to be, but I like to think I’m getting better. With four of the eight kids now moved out of the house it may be that I’m just managing fewer kids, so that’s why I think I’m doing better.
I’m sure you’d get a different answer from them if you asked.
One thing that I do try to concentrate on every few months are things that we’re doing that don’t have to be done. The idea comes from a story that I’ve heard many times, in several contexts. I would love to cite the source, but I honestly was unable to find one that seemed anywhere close to the original. So, rather than mis-cite consider this a paraphrase of the story:
During one review of light field artillery, some of the consulting officers noticed that the weapons required a five man crew. Oddly, just prior to discharging the gun, one of the artillerymen would run to the back of the gun, face away from where it was firing, raise both his arms, and stand that way until the gun was fired. Then he would return to his station, helping clean the weapon and prepare it for the next round of firing.
Baffled, the consulting officers asked the men what they were doing. In all honesty, each replied that this was “standard procedure” and that they didn’t really know what the purpose was. They just knew that their orders were to stand behind the weapon, facing away from it, until the firing cycle was completed.
Still perplexed the consulting officers began asking more and more artillerymen. Eventually, a wizened old soldier who had been injured in several previous campaigns produced the answer. He pointed out that the WW II light field artillery was all mechanized. Most field pieces were towed to their stations behind Jeeps or other similar vehicles. In prior wars, this duty was left to horses.
So, just prior to firing, one of the artillery crewmen was dispatched to hold the horses so they wouldn’t get spooked during the firing of the weapons. Years later this practice had continued, but the artilleryman was holding horses that were no longer there. In short, he was holding invisible horses.
So we’ve taken stock of what we’re doing and we’re trying to eliminate some of the dumb stuff we’re doing. We’re doing our best to let go of the invisible horses and put in place new routines that fit better with today’s world.
What invisible horses are you holding that need to be set free?
