. When You Miss Something Important, AGAIN!
Recently it was Education Week at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and I had the privilege of speaking at different home organization sessions. However, because of those preparations and my involvement in getting my printed materials ready, I totally spaced some rather important preparations for family celebrations. I did this last year, too, so I have some more learning to do. Because of that, I would like to discuss an important skill and incorporate it into my life as well.
Have you had the “totally-spaced” experience before? If so, I have a few suggestions for myself and anyone else who needs to make an apology for being later or forgetting. Make your apology, being as honest as you can about what really happened, and then make preparations so that it will never happen again.
Fix It
I remember that after I had missed an important birthday two years in a row because it was on the 3rd of the month and by the time I remembered to turn the page on my calendar (this was before I discovered planners), it was too late to send a birthday card or make a timely phone call. So, on the third year, I decided to make preparations to avoid another disaster. I put the note regarding this birthday, and every other birthday within the first week of the month, on the first day of the last week of the previous month.
Do It Earlier
I will do the same thing with next year’s Education Week’s web page article. I will make a note to write it in the middle of the July (when I am less stressed), so all I have to do is add it at the right time.
Plan Ahead
In many ways, there are so many other times and places where we can look ahead and thus avoid disasters, embarrassing moments, and otherwise untimely incidents. For myself, I am going to look ahead into September and see where I might be “more timely”, doing things that have deadlines way before they are due. Who knows, I might be sick, forget, or “space it” when the stress builds. No matter what, if I look ahead, plan and prepare, I am more likely to be calm, collected and “with it”!
So look at your upcoming month and ask what you can do to avoid potential disasters. It is surely a habit I am going to incorporate into my schedule. Happy “disaster avoidance”!
Find more helpful ideas in the House of Order Handbook.
2 Responses to “. When You Miss Something Important, AGAIN!”
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I do the bulk of my Christmas shopping in July. There are usually some great sales that equal black Fridays, some super great finds on Ebay and KSL.com, etc. I can usually swipe up the deals because no one is rushing to buy the otherwise coveted items as they are in Dec. It relieves a lot of stress for me and I can just simply enjoy decorating the house and the events that follow. I don’t have to go out into the snow and cold with three tiny children. It is just something that evolved in my efforts to get along with a tight budget, learning to shop online out of neccesity, and dealing with the dislike of stress at such a wonderful time. I do the same with my children’s birthdays. I make sure everything is in place at least a month ahead. I can think more clearly when not stressed by time.
Thanks again, Debie
I remember birthdays and other important events by putting them on my computer calendar and telling it to send me an email reminder one or two weeks in advance. For regular activities like RS meetings or a reminder to read the upcoming Sunday lessons during the week before, I get a reminder 1-3 days in advance. ~Janet Cook