I Just Forgot

(Time Management)

I know I said Id do it. I even wrote it in my book. I just dont know what happened. I got too busy with something else and when I looked it was too late.

It happens in coaching sessions to the chagrin of coach and client and, of course, it happens everywhere else in our lives. Even our reminder systems fail (as do the systems to remind us to look at our reminders) and we are left undone. The value of it happening in the context of a coaching session is that it allows for a collaborative effort to get past this all too common phenomenon, at least this time. [and, in that context, sometimes people have huge breakthroughs not because of that they forgot, but because of what they forgot.]

There are some planned actions that we always do. We rarely miss appointments. Some bills always get paid and some birthdays are never forgotten. So (1) the moment dominates the plan and (2) others take precedence over self. Those are the attributes of forgetting and remembering.

Are there general solutions to this problem? Of course not (though we keep trying) Thats why there are so many books written on time management systems, prioritization methods, memory joggers, etc.

People who are immune to this disorder of orderliness often describe themselves as obsessive or, less kindly, as anal retentive. The wealthier among us have appointment assistants whose sole job is to be an active reminder system. And the best of those also have to juggle the future when even they fail at the task of staying on the pre-laid track.

So is there an answer? Well, there are at least intermediate answers, ways to be when you discover that once again you have let something slip. Here are the two most important: Dont waste time beating yourself up. This is not peculiar to you; it is a human phenomenon. And second, be responsible for what you havent done. Communicate to anyone else involved and do it as soon as you can. Certainly reschedule the activity.

Michael Lipp is The Contribution Coach. He works with people to produce extraordinary results in their lives, creating New Futures. He is the author of Less Stress, More Wealth, and other books. Find out more on his website, http://www.michaellipp.com, his blog: http://michaellipp.wordpress.com, or email him at michaellipp@michaellipp.com

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