My Word Workout

Structure Schmucture

Goals are on our minds right now and probably will be for at least the rest of the month, when we'll either pat ourselves on the back or give up. Driving home from work last night, I realized that I just might need to treat myself like a recovering addict or a little kid and structure my life by making - oh horrors! - lists and schedules. Although I do like routine, I've never been one to set up my days or tasks on an exact schedule. I wing it loosely by the clock and the calendar and if it gets done, great. If not, oh well. Usually. I don't like making lists. Besides, it seems any time that I've made a shopping list I've found more than a few laughing at me from the kitchen table when I get home from the store, because I forgot to bring it. I've tried doing the list thing. It didn't give me the highly touted "gratification buzz" when I crossed something off.

In my profession as a social worker where I work with people and crisis, every schedule is subject to change at a moment's notice, so maybe that was another factor in my resistance to lists.

With a deep sigh, I'm admitting that I am going to have to resort to lists and schedules if I truly want to set and accomplish my goals this year. Maybe that's why I bought five planners over the past month or so?