Why does everything take so long?

Have you noticed that it now takes a lot longer to do anything? Even very simple things.

As I plan my day, I find that I must now move many items to the next day or the next week.

What is going on? Why is it so hard to accomplish anything? Why does it take so long to do anything?

Here are just a few reasons I've found. I'm sure you have others as well.

1 - Social media is a huge distraction. Once taken away from my work, it takes about 20 minutes to get back into the zone. If this happens several times a day - I am losing hours.

2 - Today, people are very selfish. They don't give any consideration to what the other person is going through. Instead, they email or call me up and demand my attention. Unplanned communications robs me of valuable focus time.

3 - Software is getting complicated. I tried to use a computer program this morning but had to wait an hour for it to install updates.

4 - Technical errors made by suppliers that we trust can result in a huge loss of time. The company that hosts some of my emails this week accidentally deleted all of my accounts. People cannot reach me by email. Instead, they get a message saying "This account does not exist". I must now track down all of my contacts and online services to provide an alternate email that is working. This will take days.

5 - Cyberattacks and scams are so common today, that they are affecting all of us. Another destruction of our carefully crafted schedules.

6 - Technology often does not work. My new cell phone behaves oddly, often freezing. Who knows why. I waste time shutting it off and turning it back on.

7 - Fatigue! All of the issues I have outlined here can be tiring and discouraging. That, in and of itself, results in less energy. As a result, I run out of steam by 3pm, so nothing much gets done after that. A nap maybe.

8 - Stress is on the rise which translates into a lack of focus. That, in turn, results in a longer period of time to get anything done.

9 - Going through hoops and hurdles! If you have a technical problem or a medical issue and need to speak to several different experts, they will all ask you to repeat your situation over and over again.

10 - Standing in line, being on hold when calling a company, waiting in heavy traffic - all add to the loss of time.

Frankly, it is amazing that anything ever gets done. These days, when I have accomplished something - even if it's the smallest thing, like taking a badly needed walk outside to escape the chaos - I celebrate!

It feels so good to accomplish something in this world which seems hell bent on preventing us from getting anything done.

That little, annoying thing that you've been meaning to get to, but cannot ever seem to find the time...just do it right now.

And if the world is jumping out to stop you, do what it often does to you - put it on hold.