“It Doesn’t Work!” – See.  Perceive.  Act.

Frustration takes over, former procrastinators, when we make a plan, develop a system, launch into action – and it doesn’t seem to work.  Things don’t go as planned in spite of how good they appeared in our minds.  Take heart. All is not lost.  You’re not doomed to slog on in the same old way.  Honestly consider some possibilities as you seek how to improve your approach.

What problems do you see?  What are their roots?  (Is Emma genuinely unable or is it attitude?)  What will you change or enforce?

Is it the system?  You?  Others?

Give it time.  We have to live with something to find out if it really serves us.  It’s a discovery process.  Think like they say Thomas Edison did.  (Paraphrasing,  I didn’t fail a thousand times. Now I know a thousand things that don’t work.  The light bulb was an invention with a thousand steps.)  Avoid premature conclusions. 

Expect resistance – from yourself and the family and co-workers if they’re involved.  It takes time to form habits and experience benefit.

Is your system dependent on other people?  Do you have control over those people?

If applicable, have you included others affected by asking for their perceptions and preferences? 

Is the plan too complicated?  How can you simplify it?

Is the plan too rigid?  Must every step be perfect?  Can you flex?

Is the plan simple enough to carry out if circumstances change?  The simpler a plan is, the easier it is to use and to maintain long term.  (After ball practice, boys shower and girls help with dinner.  Afterwards, girls shower and boys clean dishes.  It doesn’t matter what time ball is over;  this is a pattern you can follow.)

Is it your own lack of self-discipline?  If so, good.  As my friend says, “You can do something about you.”  Is dinner late after ball because I don’t prep during the day making us ready to heat ‘n eat when we come in?  It’s not hard to hang up my coat when I get home or put my books away.  I just don’t want to.  But I’m learning since I do NOT like piles.  I usually open and sort the mail. If I’m not able to open and sort, then I put that mail in the same spot the opened mail goes and I move on.  I don’t leave it out piled for me to do later.  Self-control in small things goes a long way. 

Will you tweak your plan or toss it?  Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.  Save the portions that serve well.  Take what you’ve learned and re work it.  Nothing will be perfect.  We have to adjust often.

Adjusting the baby’s schedule every few months frustrated me.  But, didn’t I want that kiddo to grow?  Of course!  So, I grew too. 

What plan do you need to rework? Or what self-control do you need to exercise to help a plan work?