Order Matters

Entry Date: 5/2/2024

7, 5, 3, 10, 9, 1, 0…

We all know these numbers are out of order. If you try to teach a child this, they are going to be messed up for life. Counting in order is essential to managing money, time, and even the items you need for recipes whether simple or hard.

It’s like that in managing your routines too. As usual, there’s a story behind this.

The last couple of mornings, I’ve done things out of order and let me tell ya, it’s has jacked up my focus. Seamlessly gliding through my morning routine was not the “order” of the day.

I didn’t listen to my Morning Worship in bed. I looked at my email; which I now can’t check odd that box in my planner. Anywho…so I got up to go to the bathroom as usual and said, I’ll listen to it then. Since I had broken the chain, I picked up the phone, got distracted, and was onto social media. (*As I sit here and roll my eyes at myself* I do this like a BFF who knows me oh so well. I also know you just thought of yours too and the exact face she would make.)

This lead to a string of things being done out of order or with higher distraction:

• Putting on my workout clothes after going into the back room to workout
• Standing in the shower not knowing I needed to watch my face after washing my body
• Brushing my teeth and deciding to clean out the rest of the refrigerator
• Forgetting that my planner was still in the loft
• Forgetting to put my oils on then rearranging the case by type…

When I realized this, I had to slow myself down and speak out loud to myself.

What happens in a distracted mind is that there’s static or nothing going on. So the eye catches something that “needs” to be done, then moves on to that. Then in medius res, it sees another, drops the one thing, then moves on to that.

So the brain needs structure. It needs a forced slow down for proper mental processing. Now I know, especially with ADHD, it wants this but fights it with all its might! It forces a slow down and a mental processing the neurodivergent brain needs.

Speaking out loud tunes the brain into a “station” that allows you to order things properly.

• What’s the most important thing to do now?
• What tasks did I forget to do?
• What did I start that MUST be finished although it’s not part of my routine?

When things are done out of order, it also leads to this problem: EVERYTHING becomes a priority.

The smallest thing, like the floor needing to be swept gets added in. That message from work starts to nag you although it’s not time to start working. You remember the message from a friend you didn’t respond to yesterday. It’s all screaming inside your head.

This happened to me today as well. I was like “oh my goodness.” But I remained calm and reminded myself of what was most important. There were things I needed to do right then that were more important.

Once again, slowing down and not allowing other things that seem more pressing cloud your mind is a key to maintaining order, not in the things you need to do but in your mind. As I say, “time management is mind management.” If you can’t manage the feelings you have when things happen, then it all goes to pot.

I took the time I needed to focus on myself, my routines, and my clients before addressing other things that weren’t top priority. I also took time to rest, eat, laugh, and enjoy my own company while outside in the beautiful weather here. There’s a method to my madness and chilling out in nature is one of them, even if it’s 5 minutes.

But the question is, what is it costing you when you do things out of order?

One thing is it’s costing you peace with yourself and with others. When you start doing things out of sequence, it makes you scattered. And when you’re scattered, others are rattled by your rushing and lack of direction.

• It causes the kids to be riled up before school thus negatively impacting their day and learning.
• It causes your husband to be frustrated because you didn’t turn off the stove when you finished breakfast.
• It makes your employer or your clients upset because you’ve shown up late to their meetings or at work.
• And the list can go on.
• Then you’re frustrated with yourself because you’ve don’t been able to stick to a routine no matter what you say.

This is why having a coach is so important; not just any coach though…it would be me.

Why?

• Because I know how to slow you down so think more clearly
• Because I know how to create routines in an order that makes sense and are easy to follow
• Because I know how to help you through those moments of frustration when you talk negatively to yourself
• Because I know how to help you communicate with your family in a calm way after things have gotten pretty crazy
• Because I know how to help you integrate breaks in your routine that leave you refreshed when life happens
• Because I know how to help you redirect when you get off path, as it’s going to happen. No one’s perfect.

How do I know how to do this?

As you can see, I live it and I’ve helped others to do the same.

As I write this, I’m sitting in my chair, relaxed after having two client calls, tried to figure out a email issue, completed my planner dates, eaten, and more. I’m ok with who I am and the fact that this morning was not the way I intended. I accept those moments. It’s just that, a moment in the grand scheme of things.

I know you want to be this chill on a day like today. So let’s get together and have an enrollment conversation about my private coaching program Mindfully Productive: Taking Purposeful Action to Balance Your Brain, Habits, and Focus. Click here to schedule.

Can’t wait to talk with you!