Choosing What to Work On

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“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.” – Laurie Buchanan

It’s that time of year when my yard needs a lot of work. Weeding, trimming, pruning, planting – there’s a lot to be done.  Whenever my mom offers to help, she grabs her gardening gloves and heads to the front of the house. It’s taken me several years to figure out the pattern, because I’m always surprised. I think we should start in the back.

The back is off the kitchen and family room. It’s where we BBQ, sit and eat. It’s also where we play 90% of the time we’re outside. It seems like a logical choice to focus my time there because it’s the biggest need.

[I know I usually write about podcasts on Fridays. Trust me, I’m getting there.]

My mom’s way of thinking is that the front is what everyone sees and so it needs the most attention because of its visibility.

When Vicki and I podcast with authors, we try to read all the books we are talking about. It’s all the back yard work to prepare and have thoughtful conversations.

In my analogy, the resulting podcasts are like the front yard – it’s what everyone sees. But all the preparation and production is like the back yard where we spend most of our time.

We’ve slowed our pace at putting out podcasts to bi-weekly because the back yard work is taking a lot of time. We hope that makes the resulting productions even more fun to watch!

So stay tuned for next week’s podcast with author, teacher, and former reporter, Mark Wukas. He’s going to tell us about his fantastic novel, The Kiss of the Night and how it was more than 40 years in the making!

We know you’ll love it!

(featured photo from Pexels)

52 thoughts on “Choosing What to Work On”

  1. I was so impressed that you and Vicky had each read one of my books. It was so cool that you read the first one and she read the last one. It made the interview flow better. The backyard work is important!

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  2. I like the idea that the front of your house is what people see, so attend to it. Curb appeal is a thing, whether you’re maintaining a property or hosting a podcast. Interesting way to process what you’re doing.

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  3. the perfect analogy and I know it’s a heck of a lot of work to put these together, so give yourselves a break and just swing in the hammock in the back once in a while.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. The creative energy of you and Vicki amazes me! Loved the analogy. That pressure to stay on top of yard work and the garden (and the orchard) is real. Each year, I scale back my expectations even more. Which is why I am opting for a wild flower/ prairie grass vibe in our new yard.

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  6. Such a perfect analogy to describe our goals and game plan! Reminds me of my very brief days working in restaurants and the importance of ‘front of house’ and ‘back of house’ working cohesively. Both matter if delicious food is to be served and enjoyed! 💕🥰💕

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  7. Great post. As always you make me think. Last weekend I phoned my wife and asked her how much mushroom compost and mulch she wanted me to get on my home from some Sunday errands. I got the order, picked it up, brought it home, unloaded it, and we started in the back! We had spent time before Easter weekend on the front, so I guess the back won out last weekend. Looking ahead, it’s next week it’s Mother’s Day weekend and this weekend we are on the road or our daughter’s college graduation. Hopefully, I’ll find time to craft a post on MtDC.

    You are so right, most of our work is out of the view of people who see us, but we tend to spend our efforts on what they see. I think it all falls back on the 80 / 20 rule I learned about in Covey’s books. 80% percent of our effort is on life and 20% is on us – the individual, it’s the 20% which makes us effective with the other 80%. I look forward to next week’s podcast. Keep making those days count.

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    1. Started in the back – I love it, Clay! That guidance from Covey makes so much sense. Thank you for adding it to this conversation to help further my thinking. It really helps!

      Glad you got a MtDC post out – good to see you. Enjoy your travels and graduation!

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  8. Great post. As always you make me think. Last weekend I phoned my wife and asked her how much mushroom compost and mulch she wanted me to get on my home from some Sunday errands. I got the order, picked it up, brought it home, unloaded it, and we started in the back! We had spent time before Easter weekend on the front, so I guess the back won out last weekend. Looking ahead, it’s next week it’s Mother’s Day weekend and this weekend we are on the road or our daughter’s college graduation. Hopefully, I’ll find time to craft a post on MtDC.

    You are so right, most of our work is out of the view of people who see us, but we tend to spend our efforts on what they see. I think it all falls back on the 80 / 20 rule I learned about in Covey’s books. 80% percent of our effort is on life and 20% is on us – the individual, it’s the 20% which makes us effective with the other 80%. I look forward to next week’s podcast. Keep making those days count.

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  9. I love the analogy, Wynne and it makes a lot of sense. Time is not on your side for getting all that backyard work done EVERY week. Frankly, I’ve always been amazed that you and Vicki can post a strong weekly podcast and individual posts too! I wish you success with the new schedule. See you next week. 😊

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    1. Oh, thank you, Melanie! What an incredible compliment coming from you. You said it perfectly – time is not on our side for our previous plan. 🙂 Thanks for being such a loyal listener and contributor! We appreciate you, my friend!

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  10. Fantastic quote Wynne. And a wonderful analogy. Our yard looks quite frightful. We’re trying to go as natural as possible but there are some invasive plants taking over the garden…. And… well it’s all a lot of work, but sometimes the work brings a needed calm… I do enjoy your podcasts!

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  12. Another way to look at that is because the back yard is where you most of the time, you do the front yard first so you know that’s done and then can move to the back and take the time you need without rushing through it just to be able to get back to the front. Shifting that thought to the podcasts, the front yard is what you will show off but before you can work on the back yard preparing for it, you have to know what the “it” will be so you can prepare properly. That’s the same way I do my presentations. I always start from the end – what do I want to say, what point do. I want to make, then work backwards to build the support of that premise.

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  13. Great analogy! I see both your points of view. Our yard is for our enjoyment, and we spend most of the time in the backyard, but there’s also a pride in ownership, so of course we don’t want to neglect the front. The best solution? I’m working out front and Tara is in the back.

    Biweekly podcasts seem much more manageable. I don’t want you two wearing yourselves out!

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  15. The little that I know about podcasting . . . I know that it takes a lot of work. You guys have made it look eeeeaaaasy. I hope this schedule gives you some more time Wynne. Wow. Like I’ve mentioned in the past, the podcast looks like you’ve been doing this for years. It looks like it’s professionally done with lots of video and sound folks to back you up. Ha. ha. Looks amazing.

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  16. Pingback: Choosing What to Work On – JAMES KEDZE BLOG

  17. Excellent plan, my friend. It’s really hard to maintain a good balance with everything you all are doing. I’m sure the new format is going to be great. It’s definitely like the SharePoint portal, users only pay attention to the front end, not realizing how much work the server admins put into the backend.

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      1. You’re so welcome, my friend. I know that was in your portfolio at one point, and I also worked on it a while back, so that’s the image that came to mind when I read your post.

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  20. Take care of the front yard, the back yard, but never forget to take care of yourself. You deserve the time to do whatever you feel like sometimes.

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  21. Love the connection between gardening and podcasting. Brilliant as always!

    I have no doubt you and Vicki put in so much backyard work to produce such beautiful curbside appeal with your podcast. May the extra tending to the garden produce more fertile soil and blooming episodes for you both!

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  22. I’ve been reflecting lately, because I’ve seen so many examples of it, on how difficult it is when good, well-meaning people you trust disagree with you. It’s tough to come to a consensus when each party feels their point is so valid. But anyway, that’s not the point of this post! It’s nice your mom was so eager and willing to help you with the yard! And I can understand your need to cut back on podcasting. I feel you there. 🙂

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  24. What a smart idea and truthfully you will probs get more views as the backside does take lots more time on both ends, I agree! Bravo for stepping out! 🩷

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