Planning

My name is Mickey.  I’m a planner.  I think I need help.  I plan everything.  I believe planning is the key to maximizing time without adding stress.  Others may not agree.

People often ask me what I “do” and I don’t know whether they mean what I do with my time, or what I do for money.  Kory says I should just tell them, “I plan vacations, and then I take them.”  It does seem I spend a lot of time planning trips, but they aren’t all mine. 

When Norwegians come to visit for three weeks at a time, I plan each one of their days, according to the priorities they’ve set.  I email them the agenda even before they get on the plane.  I know what we will be eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday they are here.  What I can make ahead of time and freeze, I do.

Each week I plan our dinners anyway, and write them on a chalkboard in the kitchen so I don’t encounter the dreaded, “What’s for dinner?” question.  It also helps me plan the shopping list for when I run into town, which includes a neatly planned route to avoid backtracking or wasted time.  Tell me this is normal.

For several years now, on New Year’s night, my husband and I go to a hotel with a fresh calendar, our bank statement, and a bottle of wine.  We need to be free from distractions for our “Annual Business Meeting.”  We plan out our year, where we will go, what we will do.  We make a list of household projects that need to get done.  We look at our budget and reprioritize our spending, if need be.  We use this planning time to be sure we are on the same page, as it minimizes stress throughout the year.  Even though he’s retired, and I don’t work outside the house, we otherwise have little time for such meaningful conversations.  Once our year is planned out, I start planning the weeks, which include our son’s activities.

Every summer I have a huge outdoor kids party.  I plan out every minute of the five-hour extravaganza.  I even post the schedule so I stay on track.  One year it rained.  My son acted like it was my fault I’d planned the party – months ahead of time, mind you - on a day it rained.  He obviously thinks I have super powers, if he thinks I can control the weather.

I don’t come by any of this planning naturally – it’s all been developed.  “Planning is the key,” is my mantra, and while it may be rubbing off on my son, I think it might be too late for my husband.  While a “to-do list” keeps me stress free, Kory complains it only adds stress to his life.   

When I worked in an office, a co-worker hung up a sign that said, “Lack of planning on your part doesn’t constitute an emergency on mine.” I’ve tried to use that line at home, but it doesn’t work.  Life happens and messes with my plans everyday.  I guess how well I roll with the punches, really determines whether I need help or not.