We’ve done our part, right, former procrastinators? We’ve removed obstacles from our everyday path. We’ve designated homes for offending objects or gotten rid of them. But what if we live with other people? Isn’t a lot of that stuff going to block our path again? You bet!
Some obstacles reappear on a daily basis. That calls for retraining of ourselves and others.
Our part is not quite done. We have to follow up in two ways: 1) Set the example ourselves and 2) train others to new ways. After all, we have, in effect, taught the family to drop their coats on the kitchen counter and leave shoes in the walkway. Our example is in itself a type of training. Roommates and husbands we seek to enlist to our new thinking. Children’s thinking we can train.
We can explain to all ages, “We’re learning together. I’ve allowed you to scatter your shoes in the doorway, but we’re not going to do that anymore. It’s easy to put shoes on this rack. Then nobody trips over them.” Pulling into the driveway, “Hey, gang, where do your shoes go?” Or books, or coats.
When you find the errant bike blocking the path between car and door, do not move it. Make yourself go calmly for the learner and have him place the bike in its designated spot right then. It may be “quicker to do it myself,” but that only ensures you’ll be the one to move it again.
Repeat, repeat. Of course, you get tired of that, but so do the other learners. That will help them place things where they should the first time to avoid being interrupted later.
Training takes time and effort but yields big rewards. Which would you prefer – taking a month to bear down and learn new ways or live with obstacles for years?
How will you introduce obstacle-free paths to your family?
Leave a Reply