Yak Shaving isn’t always bad. Most of the skills I have were cultivated in the process of Yak Shaving. Discoveries. Useful digressions.

If you _lean in_ to Yak Shaving, you can achieve another thing entirely: Power Puttering (I think this term was coined by Merlin Mann).

For those unfamiliar with Yak Shaving: When I explained the concept to my coach Michael Ashcroft, he sent this Bryan Cranston scene from _Malcolm in the Middle_ and it’s a perfect illustration:

Power Puttering is Glenda the Good Sister Witch of Yak Shaving.

Power Puttering is about just going with the flow of Yak Shaving, allowing the task at hand to diverge seven different ways. You just keep moving. Never stop moving. Podcasts and books on tape are great companions for this.

Power Puttering can be incredibly relaxing.

Proper Power Puttering requires eliminating interruptions, and certainly any and all judgments of whichever putterpond you’re deep into.

Caution must be employed, because getting knocked out of a deep, earthy Power Putter is a recipe for snapping at loved ones.

As soon as you begin to judge your Power Putter negatively, it becomes a common Yak. Be kind. Be open. Just allow the exploration.