Help remembering/not zoning out

[Shulamit]

Hi all,

I know David recommends against pop-ups and other kinds of reminders because we ignore them, become desensitized and thus they become stressors.

I do not sit at a desk (or a work space that is mine) every morning or even regularly.

I forget to check my trusted system.

I need help developing new habits and help not relying on and then ignoring reminders. How do I remember to check my system (calendar and context lists) every day?

Any suggestions for how to support myself?

Shulamit

 

[Myriam]

not tusted yet...

Hi all,

I forget to check my trusted system.

Shulamit

if you forget to check your trusted system, then it is not your trusted system yet...

Make sure the information you need to start work is in your system...
Make sure your system works for you and helps you remember things you wouldn't remember or helps you to get things done you wouldn' get done...
Make sure your system is right next to you and is the most easy thing to check...

... and then it can become your trusted system!

Myriam

 

[Shulamit]

re not trusted yet

LOL Thank you Myriam for pointing out the issue of trust. If I check it, I can trust it!

Here's the thing: I'm a "part-time" MA student, and I work "part-time" at two jobs. (I put part-time in quotation marks because together they add up to way more than 40 hours per week.) I drag my phone with me all the time. I also drag my printed-out context lists with me everywhere. I get them both out of my bag. But I ignore them, and I don't have a regular time to check in with myself. It often happens that I think, in the evening, "Crap, I should have checked my lists."

I know it sounds like, "Just check your lists, dummy!" and I feel embarrassed revealing this, yet I'm doing so because I desperately want to do things differently and can't for the life of me figure out how.

Anyway, thank you for your input. I enjoyed the distinction you made because it helps me get clear about why I'm so stressed. I *know* the system "works if I work it." For example, when I do my weekly review I feel great!

Shulamit

 

[Myriam]

do it in the evening...

It often happens that I think, in the evening, "Crap, I should have checked my lists."

If at some point (in the evening) you are thinking "I should have checked them", just check them then and there at that very moment... it will not change what happened during the past day, but maybe it will help you tomorrow... maybe the morning after you'll remember what your priorities were the evening before... and it will help you to build that habbit!

Myriam

 

[Geekgirl]

Reminders/alerts?

Another possibility is to set an alarm in your phone to look at your list at specific times throughout the day, until it becomes habit. E.g., over breakfast, during your commute to work/school

 

[TesTeq]

Maybe you need more focus in your life?

Here's the thing: I'm a "part-time" MA student, and I work "part-time" at two jobs. (I put part-time in quotation marks because together they add up to way more than 40 hours per week.)

Maybe you need more focus in your life? Studying + 2 jobs may be overwhelming in my opinion.

 

[RuthMcT]

Could you make an appointment with yourself to check your lists, even if it's only once a day? Find a slot between planned activities and set your phone alarm to go off at that time to remind you?

 

[Shulamit]

Thank you

Thank you all for your input and ideas.

Yes, I am doing too much... but unless I win the lottery, that's how it'll be until I'm done the MA and make the transition into a new career. Meantime, there will be that and I will work one job to pay my bills, the other to get my foot in the door in my new profession.

I think I could do a brief glance at my next day right after supper.

Thank you!