It's About Time Ruth Wong

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Clear mind is first step to orderly life

I recently heard psychologist John Rosemond on the radio talking about problems caused when parents try to become their children's friends. "The problem is not going to be solved by changing techniques," he said, "but by changing perception -- that a parent must be a parent and not a friend."

The idea of changing perception, not just techniques, made sense. Being a professional organizer who filters what I hear through my "organizer" ears, I applied that to time management, namely that the problem of procrastination requires a change in perception.

A client recently told me that his thinking (and therefore his self-talk) is, "There's always tomorrow."

I asked him to try an experiment for the next month: Instead of thinking, "There's always tomorrow," he should take the perspective that:

» "If I get this done today, that's one less thing to worry about tomorrow!"

» "Why clutter tomorrow with leftovers from today?"

» "Won't it feel good to have this over and done with?"

That change in perception, that taking care of the task today un-clutters tomorrow as well as our minds, has done more to move me to go ahead and just do things than anything else I've tried.

A large part of the reason it works, I feel, is that it focuses on the benefits of doing things now. What's in it for me if I go ahead and do it? More time tomorrow and a good feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment, and even relief that it's done. Also, more time in tomorrow's schedule for things I want to do.

I like what Zig Ziglar says:

"When you do the things you have to do when you have to do them, you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them."

I encourage you to take a "procrastination inventory" of the important things you've been putting off, and then apply the suggested perspective of time and see if you can't go ahead and just do it.

What a good feeling and relief you'll have when you get things done. You'll have a less cluttered schedule tomorrow, too!

With repetition, doing things promptly can become a habit!

See you in two weeks.