Living-Deliberately.com

I wonder why my little “systems” never work. On a discussion website I frequent (wow…that’s such an inadequate way to describe what that place means to me, but there simply are no words for it), they are talking a bit about some sons who struggle with daily organization. I’ve always felt I related a bit to these boys…like we are all in one ADHD kind of club. I’ve even touted my own ability to create my own systems for coping.

And in some ways, I have a few that have stuck. I know, for instance, that to get through dish washing without walking away that I need to have something else for my brain to focus on, like a radio show. Or TV while folding laundry. That I must have a dayplanner that gets updated at least weekly; daily will never happen. I know that when I spend too much time out doing activities that I have to compensate with at least one down day for every two out. When cleaning, I always make the bed first. On and on…they are little strategies for functioning in my world.

So, two weeks ago when I added two HUGE categories to my life, I created a system for making it happen. One to focus mostly on work, the next on housework and school, in a pattern.

Worked fabulously until I hit a snag. Always does. This particular snag was lice last weekend. We pushed through the weekend and it looked like we just might’ve stayed on track….only it never materialized. By mid-week David, my teammate, was gone essentially for the rest of the week and all energy seemed to go with him. The laundry is still piled high, one old washer and dryer just not able to perform fast enough. The whole house is going to overtake me. School is going great ironically. Only a little work on the businesses has happened. Important progress, but not as much as I’d expected with my “system”.

And I don’t know who I’m foolin’ because if I had to work a traditional job, it would probably go great for 6 months and then I’d peter out. Any task it involved would have become old hat and thus boring. I’m not an idiot…this is primarily an issue of self-discipline. The need for it grows commenserate with the time that passes; I’m continually pep-talking myself through whatever task has become so obtuse. Often what makes it worth it for me is the commraderie of teamwork I feel with David. And, when I lag, some cheerleading from him is usually all it takes to get me going again.

Elizabeth Elliot says, “do the next thing”. Absolutely sage wisdom for those like me, who need to break things down and not get overwhelmed with the enormity of things. Flylady’s on the same page with her “shine your sink and wear your shoes”. Laced shoes send a signal to the brain that it’s time to get some work done. It never fails me…a little ’system’ that pays off big. Dave Ramsey says, “get intense” or “get in attack mode”, so that we put all that energy of procrastination and discouragement and anger into something positive and productive.

Today we get back to life. American Heritage Girls with the addition of choir and a parent’s meeting. Scouts, with the addition of fundraising popcorn and a committee meeting. One child is sick and in bed. David has been, and will be, gone, working hard on his end. I ardently pray it pays off. I love our activities and I definately love the ones we get to to do them with…so my resisitance confounds me. The day is bright and beautiful and the kids have gotten along great this week. The baby took a few steps this morning.

It’s probably time to crawl out of my navel and get moving, one thing at a time.

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