Free Your Space: I’m late, I’m late!

Posted by Annette Reyman on May 26, 2010

The recent release of Tim Burton’s “Alice
In Wonderland” brings to mind one of the introductory characters of Wonderland
– the March Hare. In this season of final exams and summer job hunts, First
Communions and graduations, birthdays and weddings, spring-cleaning and
vacation planning, we can find ourselves wondering “Where will I ever find the
time?”

We begin to approach these “joyful”
and “celebratory” events with dread. The vision of surviving them and hopes of
merely “getting through it all” is suddenly our biggest life goal. As the To Do
list and the messages pile up, we can find ourselves running to catch up to a
schedule that seems to be moving along like a freight train on a downhill track
and packed with more commitments than any one person should ever have. We run
along behind yelling “I’m late, I’m late” while papers and presents, ribbons
and cards, check book and dust rag fly out of our jam-packed arms!

So, what can we do? How do we get to
be ready for the events of our lives and also get to enjoy them? Is it
possible? Or is this something reserved for other people - perhaps rich people…
with a wait staff.

I’m going to suggest three
challenges that will allow you to have your cake and eat it too!

The first challenge is to change
your perspective. What are you telling yourself about the upcoming events on
your schedule? Is the graduation party for your nephew being held somewhere
“too far” away? Is it on an inconvenient day? Are family members that you
prefer not to see going to be there? The challenge is to put aside the
specifics of the planning (how are you going to do this) and take a positive
approach to the idea of the event: “I’m so proud of my nephew.” “I know my
presence there will help create a better party.” “I’d rather be celebrating an
achievement than bailing him out of a bind!” Whether you are organizing your
stuff or your time, having a positive attitude is a way to take control of the
experience you are going to have.

My second challenge is to take
action. The time we spend worrying over what we can’t get done can be used to
get something done! Using your new perspective, look at your schedule – your
physical calendar. Block out actual periods of time and designate them for a
specific purpose. For instance,

Daily: 8 to 8:30am – Respond to
urgent emails
3 to 4pm – Clean
Wed: 6 to 9pm – Shop for cards & gifts
Thurs: 7 to 8:30 – Wrap/write cards

Whatever days or times work for you,
planning is key when demands are high.

Finally, I challenge you to ask for
support. Yes, we know that everyone is busy and everyone has commitments but,
for a moment, acknowledge that in asking someone (spouse, child, friend,
neighbor) for help you might actually be creating a bond that will enrich that
relationship. When we work together to accomplish our goals we can accomplish
more in less time.

• To contact Annette Reyman for organizing work or
speaking engagements in the Greater Philadelphia area call 908-361-7105 or
email her at annettereyman@gmail.com. She is a member of the National Association
of Professional Organizers and its Philadelphia Chapter. View her
Web site at www.allrightorganizing.com.