. Calm Down and Recalibrate

Some seasons of life can be so frustrating because schedules are messed up, the heat begins to wear you down, and the need for stability and sanity becomes paramount. Add in unexpected company, late nights, and a few mishaps along the way and disorganization is inevitable. I know this is descending upon me when I wake up and feel overwhelmed. I just want to turn over and go back to sleep. However, I also know that I’m needed in my circle of influence and that tackling problems and finding solutions always works better for me than a bit more time in bed.

I cannot over emphasize that this feeling is normal, will happen several (if not many) times during such a season of life, and can be handled expediently. As soon as you are up, have made yourself pretty, cleaned up your bedroom, and filled your stomach with breakfast, sit down with a piece of paper, fold it in half, and dump your troubles onto the left side of it (I skip a line between all entries). This will calm you down!

Make a List

Yes, list everything that comes to mind, from the leaky faucets to the running toilets, to the need to fix dinner for company on Friday evening, to buying birthday presents for that invitation that arrived over the weekend. Dump it all out, even the emotional feelings that come to mind including your guilt at having missed sending birthday greetings to your close friend, to the expensive produce which tasted terrible, to the frustration because your favorite pair of jeans have a new hole in the wrong place.

Possible Answers

Now, on the right side, begin to list what you can do to solve the problems, who you can approach to find answers to your needs, how you will handle the situation next time so you aren’t embarrassed, and on and on. This is how you recalibrate. Remember, we always move from problems to solutions. At all times, we try to finish up and regain control. Forever and ever, a person works towards organization and gaining power again by calming down and recalibrating.

What is Next

Make notations on the right side of your right-hand list as to which of these solution projects will receive your attention today, tomorrow, during the rest of the week, and into the upcoming month. Some of them will be postponed into September and a few until a long time from now.

Go to Work

Finally, get up and go to work. Remember, you are in charge to take your life and make sense of it over and over again. This is especially true in the middle of a hot summer morning when you are feeling totally out of control. Calm down and recalibrate to bring answers and motivation to get going. When you get going, life suddenly turns around and you can smile again! Have a happy, even if hot week, my friends!

Find more helpful ideas in my House of Order Handbook.