Day 12 is the first day that I’ve actually set out with a small thing in mind. All the other days, I’ve just let the small things come to me. But today was a day of fixing. Fixing a character flaw. Fixing a real problem. Fixing… interrupting.

It’s my thing. I literally do it all the time. In every situation. To everyone. In meetings, in conversations, to my children, during the movies. It’s a probleIm.

So on day 12, I decided not to interrupt. To wait until someone was finished with their entire idea before I spoke. It didn’t go well.

I didn’t realize how far down this proclivity went. Seems like a nothing thing. Just don’t talk when other people are talking. It’s as easy as being quiet in the library. If you see a book, be quieter. If someone else’s mouth is moving, yours shouldn’t be. But it really was hard.

I began to wonder WHY I can’t stop interrupting.  I wondered if its that I just get so excited about an idea I can’t wait for someone to hear it. But more likely, I think it’s that I am so interested in what I have to say that I have already moved on from what they have to say.

It made me really think. Am I that narcissistic that I think my thoughts are so life changing?  And what does it say to the person to whom I’m speaking? It certainly doesn’t tell them that they are especially important to me or that their ideas are amazingly valued or that I put a high worth on their input.

In fact, the lesson learned today may be that something that seems like a small thing is actually quite a big one .  This small thing may need another day or two or 759 of focus. Because apparently, it’s actually a big thing.

I adore you.

Do you love Amazon as I do?  I seriously have a thing. You go on and every single thing you need can be sent in two days.  TWO DAYS.   And they will even deliver things like Aladdin on the very day it comes out. (Best. Movie. Ever.  The genie is my soulmate.)

Amazon, love of my life, does something that annoys and delights me.  The Add On.  You can stick it on to another order for almost nothing.  Just a little bit of goodness.

So that was my small thing today.   I decided to model my love and add on.  So instead of just texting when someone sounded upset, I called.  Rather than just say “I’m sorry…” I tried to brainstorm some solutions.   Instead of just commiserating, I tried to act.

It was good.  The extra steps felt useful.  Ia.hoping that for each person I saw, it was like opening the package and thinking, “YAY!  Another little something!”

I adore you!

So today’s small thing has been a goodie.  I put down my phone when I was doing something else.  That is all. 

Let me specify.  I didn’t put it COMPLETELY down (I am, in fact, blogging from it right now…you can tell because my phone forces me to use capital letters.)  BUT I put it down when I was doing something else.

And I know.   I know everyone talks about what a problem phones are and how much everyone is checking out because they are obsessed with their phones.  I don’t disagree.  But I am not a huge phone person.   I don’t talk on it at dinner.  I can go literally days without knowing that it’s dead.

The problem with me is that if it is on, and I know so, I am always 10% distracted wondering what is happening on it.  Could I be missing something wonderful while doing a work project or talking to Cricket in car line?  The answer to that guy is NO.

So today, I am 100%.  A few times, I have been 100% ON my phone.  I have been talking or emailing or blogging.  But otherwise, I have been 100% off. 

And it’s good.  Remember back in the day, when you would come home, and there was that moment of thrill when you realized you had a message. A MESSAGE. Or THREE?  The moment after the dialing in when YOU HAD MAIL! Oh, the joy!  (I realize I am dating myself.)  Now these gems are never waiting. 

But, on my 100% percent plan, this joy can be rediscovered!   After being 100% focused on Cricket in the car line (during which we discussed her plans for American Ninja Warrior), when I next did my phone 100%, there were texts and Facebook posts and all sorts of treasures just waiting for me.  And I didn’t feel even slightly conflicted because this was what I SHOULD have been doing.  It was the point of those 5 minutes.

It’s a small thing to give people or tasks or projects 100% of your attention.  But it is crazy good.  To look a little person right in the face and hear every word they are saying.  To give a conversation your total focus.  You might get some very relevant ninja tricks.  And then to do your phone.  Just do it.

You should try it!  Multitasking is for the birds!  Tell me if you like it.

I adore you!