Salon - - "To do" vs. "doing" vs. "having done"

Doug Nelson · #1 03-11-2007, 02:03 PM

I enjoy the heck out of "having done" something. Not so much "doing", lately especially. And "to do" fills my nightmares (I had the old "college exam and didn't study" nightmare just last night, I've never felt so glad to be old upon waking).

"Doing" is getting to be a drag for me. So many details, so many exceptions to predict, problems to overcome. So much effort with little chance of reward.

But "having done" is wonderful. There it is, all round and happy, and I did it! The trouble is, as time goes on fewer and fewer things are worth "doing" to get to the "having done". And even if they are, they must be a dreaded "to do" first.

What about you? Do you enjoy "doing" more than "having done"?

Kraellin · #2 03-12-2007, 12:57 AM

ah doug, the lament of the aging

i hate chores and the 'doing' of chores, but i love it when they're done.

on the other hand, i love the doing of restoring an old picture and i love the done.... if i've done it well.

so, to me, it boils down to WHAT is being done.

Gary Richardson · #3 03-12-2007, 03:28 AM

As Craig says, it's all a case of what the "doing" (past, present or future) is.

As my wife will testify, getting me to do anything I don't want to do is a seriously difficult task, I've refined inertia to a fine art, and can find more reasons not to do something than just about anyone I know.

However, make it a subject I'm interested in and I've got all the energy and enthusiasm in the world. In that case I enjoy the planning, the execution and the post execution review.

I will admit that the number of things that I'm "interested" in these days is a much shorter list than it used to be.

Kraellin · #4 03-12-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

I've refined inertia to a fine art,

lol. that fits me to a Tee

oceanstarr · #5 03-12-2007, 02:09 PM

I'm a doer. I like doing. To do gives me stress and Having done means nothing to me. I enjoy projects that take rediculously long periods of time. When they're done, I don't care about them anymore. They become just another thing to store.

CJ Swartz · #6 03-12-2007, 04:15 PM

Once I'm actually Doing a project, I'm fine -- it's the To Do list that weighs heavily on my shoulders and my energy level. Getting my Christmas calendars done, getting my taxes done -- afterwards, I felt SO good!! But it's still hard to get myself to start doing those things I don't want to do but have to be done.

Doug, maybe you have to many "have to do" things on your list, and not enough "want to do".

Gary Richardson · #7 03-12-2007, 06:01 PM

Quote:

It's the job never started that takes longest to complete.

(Tolkein)

Know where you're coming from CJ, my "never ending list" is a doosie, and add to that my natural reluctance to do jobs I don't like, and I have a whole load that certainly take "longest to complete".

Doug Nelson · #8 03-12-2007, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ Swartz

Doug, maybe you have to many "have to do" things on your list, and not enough "want to do".

If I allow for a separate "want to do" list, then I also have to allow in my "can't do" list, which is a whole nuther thread

smak · #9 03-12-2007, 07:20 PM

This sounds exactly like a overall drop in mood, like depression. You say, "lately" as opposed to how things used to be. I've been like this off and on for 30 years.
At times, it seems impossible to do the simplest task or make any decision or enjoy the the same things I did 3 months ago. It's not age. From your other post, this sounds like what you are experiencing.

T Paul · #10 03-13-2007, 08:17 AM

Overall I like doing. I love a challenge and enjoy solving problems and creating. Once it's all done I enjoy what I have accomplished, but then I'm ready to start the next project.

However....I hate the whole moving process; the paperwork, packing, storage, unpacking, more paperwork, learning the area, DMV, finding new doctors/dentists etc. I am quite happy when it's all over and I'm settled in. Then I can enjoy exploring the new area!

Kraellin · #11 03-14-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

I'm a doer. I like doing. To do gives me stress and Having done means nothing to me. I enjoy projects that take rediculously long periods of time. When they're done, I don't care about them anymore. They become just another thing to store.

you need an agent, gwen

oceanstarr · #12 03-15-2007, 08:04 AM

That's what my dad says too. lol I have closets full of artwork that I want to dispose of. I don't like selling it and showing it myself... don't even want to look at it. It's just filling up my house arrrgh... Good thing I'm spending more time making digital art now. It's smaller lol