Are you a Putterer

The definition of someone that putters is that they move or go in a casual, unhurried way, they are always doing something. I have some very significant people in my life that describe themselves as someone that "putters". When I watch them, especially when they prepare a meal, they are calm and take their time. The thing that sticks out for me is, they seem to be getting a great deal of pleasure out of what they are doing. They are singing or humming as they work, in a state of contentment. 

The opposite of someone who putters is a "go-getter". A go-getter is someone who is very energetic, determined and able to deal with new or difficult situations easily. I think that would be me. I don't have as much "go" or "getter" as I used to. I guess I am just a "getter".

If you are someone who likes to putter, or a go-getter you have to appreciate the other way of doing things. I know I am someone who can "slap" together just about anything. It can be a meal or an event, I find it takes very little to pull details together. Someone that putters takes much longer to plan an event. It will have the same details and planning; the process is different. 

I think this is the perfect example of how getters do things. I have never understood when people say they don't have time to bake. For me it is just a 5-minute task to make something. I never just "bake", I line up other jobs so when I am baking I have so much more accomplished during my time in the kitchen. For instance, make a meal, clean out the fridge, sort out the freezer, organize the pantry, make a mental note of what is in your baking cupboard and the list is endless. Not only do you have a batch of cookies, but a clean and organized kitchen. 

Everyone needs a baking cupboard. It works so well, take out the ingredient you need and put it right back, clean-up is a dream. My stand-up mixer sits in its corner, plugged in at all times. For some reason, if I plan to make bread the next day, I get the bread maker out the night before. I just fire the ingredients in while I am pouring coffee, and the bread is on its way. Seeing the bread maker is also a reminder to make bread! Because visual reminders are now important in my life!

When I watch my friend make a salad she takes several minutes to prepare it and it looks like a work of art, filled with love and amazing ingredients. My salad has things throw on it, one and done. My putter friends have taught me to enjoy cooking. Once I slowed down with cooking, I became more creative. Now, everything I make has a better flavor and some type of garnish.   

From what I have observed someone that putters, is always doing something. They do a number of small tasks not concentrating on anything particular. A go-getter is project orientated. When I swoop into a room to clean or organize, I don't come out until it is cleaned and organized. Now, you have to understand that my cleaning habits have changed substantially over the years. My standards have plumaged, and I have adapted the "that's good enough" attitude towards doing things. It has become more about neat rather than really clean. I also don't do anything until I have the time or shall I say, I want to. The task can sit undone for a long time, but once I am in motion, look out. Someone that putters is always on the move. Go-getters sit more between tasks. Once they decide they need to do something, they are off like a torpedo.

I think making lists is a practice of both groups. A list for a go-getter means all of it is done, the paper is crumbled and, in the garbage, the sooner the better. A putterer can carry things forward with no problem. They don't obsess over the one remaining thing that is undone, it is fine to do the next day or the next, or whenever. Go getters never put something on the list until they are ready to do it. 

People that putter or go-getters both get it done in their own style. I love my putter friends and what they bring to my life. I enjoy watching them in a calm and unassuming way. They pick up on the little things that a go-getter may miss. They think things through in the same manner as they go about their life. They don't make quick assumptions or conclusions. They don't do things just to get them done; they get them done because they needed to be done.  

This post has made me realize how I do things, and how it may be taken by others. It has been a great reflection for me. At one time I remember I was jumping like a rabbit from one thing to another starting and never finishing what I was doing. For some reason, I stopped doing that. I had to have many chats with myself which went like this, "finish what you are doing, finish what you are doing, finish what you are doing".  I am a task orientated person now, start to finish. Cross it off the list and then on to the next thing. I am very much, "when I am ready, I will get that done". I frustrate myself some days because it seems I am never ready until I can't put it off anymore, it absolutely had to be done.  

In closing, I know each of you are thinking, "do I putter or am I a go-getter?". I hope you have enjoyed this post, and it is helpful for you to recognize which side you fall into.