Chasing Two Rabbits

Have you ever heard the saying, "If you are chasing two rabbits, you won't catch either." I'm not sure if I have the wording exactly correct, but I'm close enough. Anyway, I first heard this insightful tidbit from Kelly (my phenomenal Bubble Gum partner) a few weeks ago. Basically, it means that if you are going in too many directions, you'll never be able to get very far in any of your endeavors.

This thought has been on my mind quite a bit lately. (I've even quoted it to several of my coaching clients who were "chasing too many rabbits!). In fact, I can't seem to get this quote out of my mind. And, while I think the concept is accurate, it's execution can be slightly flawed for mom-owned-businesses (or MOBsters, which is what I like to call all you rock stars!)

As MOBsters, we are, often without even realizing it, chasing way more than two rabbits (and most of those rabbits look a lot like our children and spouses). MOBsters are constantly faced with the challenges of raising families and businesses. Our attention is diverted from playdates, product releases, homework, press releases, cookies, client meetings, soccer, sales, and yes, bubble gum and business plans. MOBsters are serial multi-taskers moving quickly from task to task more out of necessity than out of practicality. So, how can we stop the madness of chasing multiple rabbits?

In all honesty, we can't. Our families and our business will always demand more than 100% of our attention. And, this doesn't even take into account other commitments with friends, other family, and ourselves. We can, however, create a workable solution by first slowing down to take assess how many "rabbits are in the yard." Once you have an idea of those rabbits, find the one that is you need to chase after first. Perhaps that rabbit moving quickest out of your range is the deadline on the article you need to write. Or maybe the rapid moving rabbit is your son who just had his first heartbreak out school. Whatever it is, MOBsters need to learn to focus their attention to the task that needs them the most (it might even just be dinner or datenight with your hubby).

Obviously, the original intention of the chasing rabbits concept is to focus your energies in one direction. (i.e. stop being a victim of Shiny Object Syndrome!) However, MOBsters don't always have the luxury of focusing our energies in one direction in business or family. What we can do, though, is condition ourselves to under-commit to new activities and over commit ourselves to the rabbit that is begging us to catch him.

So, what do you think? Is it possible for MOBsters to chase only one rabbit, or are we destined to chase two or more?

In chaos and creativity,
JWS