« Things of Note This Christmas | Main | Write Again Soon in 2006 »
January 01, 2007
New Years Resolutions
It's a problem that's plagued me for years, and one that's just gotten worse in the last 2 years. It's embarrassing, shameful, and entirely of my own making. And so, dear reader, I have one tiny, simple, straightforward goal for 2007--one that, if I can manage it, will completely revolutionize my life.
Be On Time
I admit it, I have a terrible habit of showing up 5-10 minutes late (and occasionally more) for everything. It begins in the morning, when I get up a solid 20 minutes later than planned...and then dawdle over email when I should be jumping in the shower and getting a start on the day. Because I haven't found the time to stay organized, the process of getting out the door (or parked at my desk for the first conference call of the day) is unnecessarily complicated, and I usually end up dashing out the door with a crucial bit of information missing (like directions), which then puts me even farther behind.
Because I'm always late, I rarely take public transportation--since I can't find the 20 minutes necessary to walk to the nearest metro station. So I end up paying exhorbitant parking rates, which then makes me feel like I need to work MORE hours to pay for it all.
Because I'm trying to juggle a dozen projects at once, I'm chronically re-prioritizing tasks throughout the day. The nature of the Big Idea means that I need to be immediately available when potential clients come calling, and between current paying projects and business development things, I rarely have a "big picture" view of where things are going.
By the time I get back to the house in the evening, I already have a list of over-due tasks, reminders, and obligations. I end up working throughout the night, which means that I go to bed around 2 a.m.--making the alarm clock beeping a most hated noise, and going far to explain why I start off slow in the morning.
All in all, it's a vicous cycle, and so my goal this year is to commit only to the things I can complete in good standing, to allocate enough minutes to getting to places on time, and to be prepared when I do arrive to begin work (or fun) without scrambling for additional information.
Let Operation Be On Time (OBOT) begin.
(And dear reader, help me create a feeling of solidarity by sharing your own New Years Resolutions in the comments section below. Remember that you can leave the name/email/website sections blank if you'd like to protect your anonynmity. Mr. Bastish has fixed the comment problem, and so everything should run smoothly!)
Comments
I have no NYRs this year. I am however embarking on the Fly Lady routine by keeping my sink empty, clean and shiny.
Posted by: La at January 1, 2007 06:07 PM







