I love a good plan. I plan my years, current year, month, week, and day to the half-hour. A good plan makes me feel productive and in control.
Every week I take my paper calendar which has all my appointments and known obligations and plug them into my computer calendar. Once I have all my obligations in, I work on scheduling tasks that need to be done but not at a certain time of day like writing this blog. I try to close out my working day by 5:30 on most days.
Oh, do I love it when a good plan comes together.
But more and more these days it seems like I make a plan and God laughs.
Almost every week at least one client will have to change their appointment. They have good reasons, so I do my best to accommodate them. Unexpected doctor appointments just appear on my husband’s medical portal. We’ll get a call reminding us of where to go for a PET scan tomorrow when we didn’t even know it had been scheduled. Well, of course, I make adjustments for that and that probably means that now I am making the call to a client to reschedule. My accountant texts asking that the time for our appointment is changed. I look at my calendar and accommodate the change. I have a time scheduled to work on a project and a client or friend calls and just needs to talk. Of course, I put aside my work and we have that conversation.
Sigh! Sometimes I just put my head down on my desk and moan, “Please, can just one week go as planned?”
But I guess I am being taught patience and flexibility.
These changes in my plans are really insignificant things that can usually be accommodated. I can adapt. Some things I cannot control. I cannot control other people. I cannot control an accident that blocks the freeway when I am on the way to a client. I cannot control delayed air flights.
I can control how I react. I know that my business partner, Diane Quintana, and I have had some disappointing times when plans we had individually made to visit grandchildren had to be cancelled. We allow ourselves a brief vent to each other. A quick pity-party. And then we move on. We know there will be other opportunities.
When other people cancel appointments or events, I can allow myself a bit of venting to myself or a friend and some moments of frustration but then it is time to make a plan B. I now have this open time. Here is the time to work on that presentation or blog. Here is the time to go back through finances and update. Here is the time to take a walk. I can look ahead and see what I had originally planned to do in the time frame that I am now rescheduled and do that task.
There is absolutely no reason to dwell on life circumstances that change my plans. My path for the day and week will have to deviate from my original path but that is OK. I am still working toward my goals and my dreams.
Life is good.
If you want help or just some assistance in developing a schedule or working any organizational plan either outside or inside your home, join Diane Quintana and me on our Clear Space For You clutter support group.
Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, award-winning author, as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients tackle the toughest organizational issues. Jonda does hands on organizing and virtual organizing. For more of Jonda’s tips connect with her on Facebook.