Mary Ann Hayes

I read a quote by a famous person the other day (I can’t remember who it was) that said: “Do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, weather you feel like it or not, and you will be successful in life.”

I thought about that for quite a while and concluded that it is true. I know this because I started out the new year with a schedule. An actual Monday through Friday schedule. It incorporates rise and shine, coffee, prayer, exercise, shower, writing, house cleaning and quitting time, all together in a nice neat little package.  I find that following the schedule has allowed me to accomplish much more on a daily basis than I ever have. A schedule keeps me accountable for my time and accountability is important in life. It keeps us on our toes.

One of my friends said she could never do that. She thinks it’s far too restrictive and too demanding. She’s right. It is. Yet, I need to practice self discipline because basically, I am a lazy person who will look for an easy out every chance I get. I’m capable of finding more excuses than there are dandelions in spring just to get away with doing nothing.

Yet, as odd as it may sound, I find keeping the schedule liberating. It’s so simple to get through the day by following the pre-determined time line. I don’t have to think about when to do the laundry or how much time to work out. It’s all on the schedule. The only thing I need to do is figure out what day of the week it is and check the time and to-do list for the day. It’s simple and it works.

My daughter gave me some great diet advise the other day.  She said, “you need to be the boss of you”; meaning I need to tell myself when to eat and what to eat and how much to eat. I need to be disciplined by myself. She’s right. It’s the same as learning to be accountable for what we say and do, what we accomplish or not, who we have become and are evolving in to. It all comes down to bossing ourselves around.

It also comes down to seeing ourselves as we really are. None of us are perfect. But do each of us see our own flaws? Our strengths and weaknesses? Do we take on ourselves as a personal project for improvement? I sometimes try and see myself as the rest of the world sees me. Then I determine where I need to make headway in becoming a better person, in making a difference in the world.  The differences can be small. Small things in peoples lives are important too. Smiling at the clerk in the department store or acknowledging someones struggles or successes makes a difference. Taking the time to notice each other and not be in such a hurry helps us all. But no one can help us change and improve upon ourselves quite like our own individual selves.

I find the whole concept of being the boss of me refreshing. I’m having a good time bossing myself around and lot’s of stuff is getting done. I needed to step up the pace and this schedule thing has been just the ticket. I would ramble on, but it’s time to work on my novel.

Later,

Mary Ann