This is Steveer Robbins. Welcome to the Get It Done Guys, quick and dirty tips to work less and do more.

Listener Amy writes in, Hi, Steveer, quick question. Have you done any podcasts about the yak shaving problem?

When you set out in your day to accomplish one thing, but to do that, you have to fix another thing,

and that requires something else, and the next thing you know, you're in the Himalayas shaving a yak. I keep having

this problem, and I could use some guidance. I know, right? The world is complicated that way. We can get

so focused on a solution that we don't notice when our solution leads us off track. And the next

thing we know, we have a freshly shaved yak

licking our faces and appreciation. And as enticing as that sounds, yak saliva does not live up to its

reputation. Don't ask me how I know this. When yak's slobber beckons, however, you can resist.

You need to notice when you're off course, stop, rethink, and then swap in a simpler solution

based on what you've learned since you began. Even if you're not aware of the idea of yak-shaving,

you may still be doing it. Melvin, the IT coordinator at Green Growing Things Plant Shop,

begins his day with one goal in mind, to connect all of the computers in the shop to a brand

new 5G network.

But, when Melvin starts to sift through each computer, he notices that each one has so

much adware that it would be impossible to get the network up and running without installing

an ad blocker first. But plant shop-grade ad blockers are expensive. Melvin knows computers. He

figures he can save money by writing his own rather

than buying one online. So he heads to the library to borrow a book on writing antivirus

software, because being a smart man, he knows that paperbooks give better retention than just

reading something on the web. But then, he remembers that his library card is in the jacket

that he lent to Grandma Cuddles earlier in the week to keep her warm on the daycare's weekly salvage yard field trip. But Melvin can't get his

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