Why Wait Until Tomorrow?

Just when you think you are ahead of the game, something pops up and whammer-jammer, take out your false teeth, you fall immediately two steps behind.  I hate when this happens.  I smugly think that I am an organized, get-things-accomplished type.  Why wait until tomorrow when you can do it now?  Planning ahead gives me more time at the end to enjoy the fruits of my labor.  Procrastination is a non-existent word in my vocabulary.  Well now, doesn’t this all sound fine and dandy… and totally incorrect.

I am a total hypocrite.  I was happily going along until 9AM this morning when I get a phone call that reminded me that January 1 is rapidly approaching.  Where did December go?  Where did the last 3 months go for that matter?  Can I point to anything concrete that proves that I have proliferated and not just existed through 2004?  Did I not chart out my course for the year for fitness, fame or fortune?  That would be a “no”, “no” and a “no”.  I don’t know if this friend was trying to be helpful and reminding me that the New Year is upon us and we should be looking forward to a healthy, happy year - one full of promise; or an evil cynic that wanted to rip my heart out, knowing very well that I haven’t set aside the proper time and ambience to sufficiently conclude and close out the old year (R.I.P. 2004) and put into perspective all that was.

Looks like I am going to need a new arrangement for 2005.  But instead of looking back (and feeling miserable that I missed my - I use the word loosely - objectives), I am going to look ahead (and set reasonable, attainable goals that bring instantaneous joy and glee).  Remember when 5-year plans were all the rage? Well, forget that, I am going more short term.  I thought about keeping a journal, but that could be used as evidence – stuff the tabloids are full of and something we cannot adamantly deny if necessary.  I think knowing that you have done a job well, whatever you may do, is kudos enough without someone patting you on the back, singing your praises and bestowing baubles upon you (well, if the baubles are small and unpretentious - that would be okay).

Maybe choosing one hefty, take-up-most-the-year pursuit (I am thinking about trying a new restaurant every month… and I vow to get a year membership to the art museum to see all the new exhibits first) and couple it with several smaller, yet consequential endeavors (When does that semi-annual sale begin? Romantic getaway?  I would love to!  Cooking Classes in Tuscany?  When do we leave?) that have well defined timelines, goals, job descriptions and deadlines.  Saying “no” (remember, practice with a vengeance in front of the mirror in anticipation of the time you will use it) could empower your fun and adventurous side by giving you the time you need to explore this somewhat unknown entity that is screaming to be released.  This will enlighten and give you the ying and yang that would balance out your year.

I will have to invest in a good calendar/organizer that will help me keep track of where I am supposed to be when and with whom… and I will be able to look back upon it in a year to see that I really did overload my days (and nights) but had the chance to laugh, cry and come away learning a lot about myself… and I would call that evidence enough that I had a pretty good year.

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life.  Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.                      

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-