In a fast-moving work environment, new requests come in with the speed and confidence of popcorn in a microwave. Each one is small — doable — just a “quick fix.” But if you say yes too quickly, you’ll soon find yourself pulled in so many directions that your original task list becomes a distant memory.
It’s not sabotage.
It’s not laziness.
It’s just the nature of flow — requests start behaving like preventions.
Picture this:
You’re just about to fix one thing with your hands — and someone gently ties them. Then unties them. Then ties them again. Another person walks up. Another knot. All while your list of pending work grows like nested square roots:
√( √( √( … √(original task) + 1) + 1) + 1)
The innermost task is the newest request. And the only way out… is to mentally unwrap each layer back to the beginning.
But here’s the trick:
Stay calm. Float. Breathe. Prioritize.
Most importantly — communicate, clearly and kindly.
Sometimes, a colleague may pass by at lunch and ask:
“Still afloat?”
And you’ll smile and reply:
“Afloat indeed 😓”
Because even in the storm, you’re steering.
Even when it’s messy, you’re showing up.
And that’s something to be proud of.
It’s not about avoiding the mess — it’s about learning to sail through it with clarity and grace.
May your requests be well-timed, your hands untied, and your task list flat and unnested.
