Wherefore Art Thou, Brain?

Did you ever have so much to do that you were physically unable to do anything?  Physically unable because your mind is so churned up and twisted that it can't help you decide what to do first?  Or it's able to tell you what to do first but not able to transmit to your muscles to get the BLEEP off the couch and do it?  I have and I don't have a job outside the house!  

So how do I fix this?  Get more organized?  Gad yes!  Delegate more to my kids?  Well, I suppose I could but they already do their fair share and besides, they're pretty stressed too (at times).  Hire a personal assistant?  Yes! Yes, that's it!!  It may be tough, though, as I've been told I'm not the easiest person on Earth (can you imagine?!)

But honestly, I'm not so crazy busy that I should have such a hard time.  I definitely think a key component is organization --- how's that for an original thought?  FlyLady does it.  Some chica I heard talk at a MOMS Club Luncheon does it and they both make it look so easy!  And dang it if I haven't tried!  And not to blow my own horn or anything, but have you seen my kitchen cabinets?  Works of organizational art! (Except the junk drawer, I need that available for the unexpected visitor for clearing off the kitchen island...leave me that!)  I can locate anything at anytime within seconds.  My clothes and linen closets are pristine.  Refrigerator?  Categorically organized by food groups.  I challenge anyone to knock on my door and inspect them.  

I started Quicken (for the second time) recently with the intent to follow a budget for the first time in my almost 24 years of marriage and to help my husband understand our financial process in case I get hit by a bus.  I did fine until I couldn't get my bank and checkbook and Quicken to match.  It's now been a couple of weeks since I opened the program.  A for effort?  He's good with numbers, he'll figure it out.  And as far as the budget, well, we've come this far....

I pay my bills through the bank as soon as they come in because I'm able to schedule payment dates; unless I don't feel like it.  When that happens, I put them right on top of my computer keyboard so the next time I sit down, in order to do anything at the PC, I MUST pay these bills first.  Unless I don't feel like it.  Then I move them to the top of the printer, right to the right of me, always in my sight so I don't forget to pay them by their due date.  Unfortunately, they are sometimes covered up by miscellaneous papers and I'm scrambling at the last minute to ensure payment is received on time! Here's where the self-saboteur comes in:   I KNOW instead of moving them to the printer it will only take me 30 seconds to sign on to the bank site and set up the payment.  I SEE them on the printer and know that if I don't take 30 seconds to sign on to the bank site and set up the payment I will quite possibly face a late charge.  I WANT to take the 30 seconds but some gear in my brain has frozen rendering me unable to do anything other than NOTHING (which translates into Words With Friends, Candy Crush, Facebook, etc.)

So is it stress, disorganization, or just good old-fashioned laziness?  Yes!  Too lazy to get more organized which totally stresses me out!  I think personal assistant is definitely the way to go.

~ Eileen Cassidy Bishop