The Opposite

I know, this is pretty much the same cop-out as before, just in reverse. It's gonna be a list, just of what I did do rather than what I need to do.

First an explanation. I was talking with my counselor again about my crazy inability to accomplish tasks -- prime example: I received a stipend for approximately $5,000 during my time with MATCH Corps, have I applied it to my loan yet? Nope. I tried once, but then found out I couldn't apply it to Sallie Mae (the devil incarnate) my HUGE loan. I can apply it to my CFS loan - which at around $12,000 seems like small beans, but have I done that? Nope. When did I receive the stipend? June 2005!!! How many times have I thought about applying it? More than 12,000! It gets less valuable as my interest continues to be applied.... But I digress (as usual).

Where was I? Yes, I am bad at getting things done. My counselor (whom I seem to write more and more about on here), was asking me if there is anything that I gain from this behavior or anything that I am apt to loose from abandoning it. We thought a lot. I talked about this whole idea about not being an adult, how if I did accomplish these tasks I would see myself as more of an adult -- but I honestly couldn't think of a reason why being an adult would be a bad thing. The short and end of it is that after 17 years of wondering (my first memory of seriously considering my "forgetfulness" comes in at around fourth grade) I am going to get evaluated for ADD - adult ADD, awesome, I think we all know I totally have that.

So, anyway, as part of our discussion, we talked about changing my mindset from negative nagging myself to get me to do things, to thinking positively about how good I'll feel once things are accomplished. Well, at the time I didn't think I had more negative thoughts than positive about accomplishing tasks - and then I realized - blogging my to do lists. That is definitely negative reinforcement -- I put a list out there for the world to see all that I have to accomplish, then when I don't tick off all my goals, I see myself as failing. So, The Opposite (FINALLY, THE POINT!), from now on I will blog about what I have accomplished rather than what I need to accomplish.

Today:

Work-

1) Went to office early to get new cases

2) Found out dates for kids to start toddler groups

3) Scheduled re-eval for D H-C

4) Finished progress sheets

5) Turned in mileage

6) Resolved transportation issues for 2 kids

7) Submitted consult requests for new kid

8) Called three families to give information

9) Read from Toddler's busy book

10) Followed-up on new cases

11) Printed up personal info and resources (again) for young mother

Personal

1) Called PCP office

2) Called to schedule evaluation

3) Cleaned out car

4) Read from Lamb (thanks Lei)

5) Took half hour nap (definitely an accomplishment)

6) Cleaned for half hour

6) Cooked dinner (an amazing accomplishment)

7) Made new rule for self (can only have beer and/or (and) wine if actually made food)

8) Watched netflix movie - To Sir with Love (very good)

9) Updated finances

10) Checked flights for wedding and set up fare tracking (farecast.com -- wonderful)

11) Gathered prescriptions to be picked up (this has been put off since summer)

12) Added social events to planner.

13) Updated Blog - meager though it is.

That's a lot. I'm proud. More to come...

The List

Ugh, I'm doing it again. The other day someone told me there is an expression in Italian about working on a task that you're always trying to accomplish but just never seems to get done, it translates into "Building a Cathedral". That's how I feel about pretty much everything, there's just always more to do, I'm always building my cathedral. I'm still hopeful that I will eventually achieve a system, some real organization and find time to consistently and meaningfully update.

In the meantime, and old stand-by cop-out. My list. I met with my counselor today, I told her how bad I have been at accomplishing anything lately and we discussed how the first thing on my list, needs to be writing my list. Counseling costs a lot of money, it only costs me a $10 co-pay, but I got a full bill once and they charge over $200 for that hour I spend talking. So I figure if it costs that much I need to make sure I'm really following through. So, my list.

I love making lists, I have a good system too. According to this really awesome planner I had a long time ago, it was developed by Benjamin Franklin, I'm sure it was just a marketing gimmick, but either way it's simple and wonderful. You free-form write out everything you need to do, then you go through the list and rank the importance of the tasks A-D. So, without further ado:

A. Clean my room

A. Laundry, lots and lots of laundry

A. Organize my desk area

A+ Make a spray bottle of disinfectant - take it and towel into car

A. Transfer credit debt onto new Discover Card

B. Buy new laptop

B. Christmas presents

A+ Email Cultural Survival about volunteering

A. Put holiday events into planner

B+ Take care of doctors bills

A. Get prescriptions filled!

A+ Prep for tomorrow (art project, folders, plan, gift for emanuel, ingredients for dinner, other shopping)

A. Mosaics for kids

A. Card and stickers for adam

B+ Find out about Argenziano holiday party

A. E-mail about Toddler Book

A+ Figure out if I have time to pick up freecycle stuff tomorrow

Okay, so that's four A+s...I'm going to accomplish those four things tonight! I can do it! And I can already check off one list item - Make The List : CHECK!!!