National Cat Herders Day is actually tomorrow, but I have something else planned for tomorrow’s post, so I’m saluting chaos coordinators a day early. I’ve loved the expression “like herding cats” since the first time I heard it, and there are so many situations where it applies (my nieces’ birthday parties, my friends on a road trip, sometimes my team at work). So tomorrow we should all give a shout out and a thank you to the people we know who keep moving forward, and moving the rest of us along.
For your viewing pleasure, the Super Bowl 2000 commercial that gave us a visual for the simile:
Come to think of it, that commercial reminds me way too much of my job on a busy day.
Are you a “cat herder”? Do you have one in your life? Tell me all about it.
That’s one of those expressions that make conversation interesting. You can’t help smiling about the thought and it’s application to the subject at hand.
Like many other expressions I first heard it in the Army while training soldiers. Drill instructors were a tremendous source of them; as if they’d stayed up all night thinking of them.
One of the DIs had told a trainee to turn left, and he turned right. “Your other left, Smith,” he told him. Turning to another instructor he said out loud “It’s like herding cats.” It was a fun moment appreciated by all!
Thanks for reminding me!
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My boss says it frequently. It’s such a perfectly evocative expression.
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Lol!! Nothings as lost as a private… or maybe lieutenants….
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There’s so many “cats” at my job, I give up… lol!!
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When I’m in charge of a project, I sometimes think, “I am their leader… Which way did they go?”
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Lol!! You’re “in charge of the project” not them! Been there many times lol!
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They’re great people and very hard workers, and I’m happy to work with them. However, we do get a little distracted sometimes. And sometimes a little punch drunk. Lol
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Oh… you work with the opposite of mine lol
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I’ve not heard that saying before, nor have I had to herd cats. I’m usually the one going in different directions. 😀
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I’ve been know to be one of the “cats” at times, too. Lol
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Aha cat herding day. I love it lol
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Aww… cute cat pixies
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Whenever I stage manage a show I call it herding cats. Lol
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