In operations we're learning that variability can bind, slow down, and ruin processes. That is exactly my problem: my queue of WIP (work in progress) spikes wildly during days like this when dozens of projects cross my desk. My mom mentions this from time to time... the inane jobs don't take up all of your time, but by the time you've conducted 50 'setups' in a day you may find that 'utilization' skyrockets and everything you'd hoped to 'accomplish' is 'impossible' and all you can do is 'bang' your head on the desk until you 'pass out.'

I'm also starting to have an issue - internally and externally - with being busy. Everybody is busy, everybody knows it, and yet it is still a totally legitimate excuse for subpar performance. I've played the card before: I'm busy and will get back to you. I'm too busy to do this or that right now. My beef is that we seem to ignore the inertia of being busy and continue to make ourselves busier, to the detriment of the things we're already busy with. Know your limits is all I'm trying to say I guess. Sorry to have taken so long to get that out... I know you are busy.