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Schedules: what’s the big deal?

Jan 4th, 2008 by lapazfarm

Now, you may be wondering what the big deal is about this de-cluttering schedule I’ve been writing about (it’s in my sidebar now. Can you see it there?) . Well, it is a big deal for me because I have actually been successfully following it for close to two weeks now!

In order to understand the magnitude of this, you have to understand my previous track record with schedules. It goes something like this:

Day 1: make schedule. Get all excited about it and resolve to follow it religiously forever. Post it in a prominent place so I can consult it for frequent reminders.
Days 2-5: consult and follow schedule! Hey, this actually works! Pat self on back for job well done. My life is now in order.
Days 6-10: consult schedule and follow it MOST of the time. Forgive self for lapses because, hey, I’m still in the learning curve, right?
Days 11-15: begin making excuses for not following schedule. Feel guilty. Resolve to do better.
Days 16-20:fail at doing better. Tweak schedule in hopes this will inspire compliance.
Days 21-25: it doesn’t help. Avert eyes when passing by schedule to avoid guilt.
Sometime around day 30: Tear down schedule and feel like utter failure. Eat lots of chocolate.

Now, this has been my pattern for pretty much all schedules: school schedules, meal schedules, cleaning schedules, laundry schedules, etc, etc. You name it, I’ve scheduled it and abandoned it.

So, why do I feel like this one is different (at least so far)?

Because I actually feel even better about it now than when I started. If you’ll notice my previous pattern, I should at this point already be in the “excuse-making” stages. But I’m not! I’m actually even thinking I could ADD TO this schedule a bit! But I won’t, for now. I really, really, really want this to work.

But I AM starting to make some more schedules for other things.

Hope springs eternal, after all, right?

Posted in Random Ramblings | 7 Comments

7 Responses to “Schedules: what’s the big deal?”

on 04 Jan 2008 at 5:02 pm1 Amy

LOL! Usually I’m making excuses by day 4. But I can almost always blame it on something serious like sickness or getting pregnant. I just seem to have a knack for attracting crises!

Hope does spring eternal! (that’s actually my blog motto now)
on 04 Jan 2008 at 5:14 pm2 Meredith

Hope definately springs eteranal Way to go!
on 04 Jan 2008 at 5:52 pm3 Rebecca

I think the decluttering is becoming kind of addictive. Every morning I have been waking up thinking, “What can I get rid of today?!” It is so refreshing to see some space around here! Keep it up, Theresa! You’re doing great.
on 04 Jan 2008 at 6:01 pm4 Kathryn

I’m impressed even with your normal failed schedule. Mine usually disintegrate way quicker than that. And then I forgot to take them down. I just train myself not to look at them.
on 04 Jan 2008 at 7:02 pm5 Tammy

I’ve been reading your blog for awhile, but I don’t think I’ve ever left a comment. I want to say that I think you have a way with planning and organizing and for sticking to it. I love seeing the way you run your homeschool and you are doing great with your schedule.

Thanks for sharing,
Tammy
on 04 Jan 2008 at 7:26 pm6 lapazfarm

Welcome, Tammy! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
on 05 Jan 2008 at 7:54 am7 Cheryl

I usually stop wanting to follow the schedule when I can’t do it perfectly, which is always in the first week. Then I’ll take a break and try it again (maybe after some tweaking.) Your schedule is working. If you miss a day or two, just keep doing it. I’m very happy for you.