3am eternal
posted by emilyI have a problem, and that problem is talking to people on the phone. I’m usually pretty good at getting things done, but if the task I need to do involves calling someone, I will put it off, feel guilty about putting it off, then wake up at 3am the following day with the realization that I didn’t make the call. You can’t call people at 3am, but you can lay in bed feeling bad about not calling. If I am lucky, I will go back to sleep within an hour or two, but some nights I’m up for good. Unbelievably, and counter-productively, I will often go through the exact same thing the following day. An unfortunate and unexpected part of my new job is my ear’s near-constant attachment to the phone, so when it’s on me to make the call I often talk myself into “doing it later.”
Too many nights spent staring at the ceiling have led me to force myself to do it now. As soon as I think about making the call, I make it, then and there. It’s working out awesome. In the last week, I’ve woke up zero times in a panic about a call I forgot to make. It’s awesome. Well, kind of. The waking up at 3 am thing hasn’t gone away. It turns out I still owe a bunch of thank-you notes from Christmas. And I said something really stupid at a party the other night. And the bathroom needs to be cleaned. And I should have fed Violet broccoli for dinner and not given in to the yogurt. I’m tired. Any suggestions?
March 5th, 2010 at 5:31 am |
You do such a good job of self searching. Being aware of a problem is always the first step to resolving it. Stan and I are reading a book by a fellow who teaches executives how to deal with the “work” of their lives effectively and efficiently. His objective is to never keep any list of things to do in your head. Having to remember to do something is stressful. Your resolution to your phone call issue was excellent (and fits that model perfectly). You are such a smart girl!!
March 5th, 2010 at 7:33 am |
You do the same thing that I do, I usually do not have a problem falling asleep, but tend to wake up in the middle of the night and solve problems. You are right, that if I would take care of things promptly I would be happier and more rested. Good for you!
March 5th, 2010 at 8:09 am |
One thing I have learned, whether it is work, politics, personal or whatever, is that one of the most appreciated things in life is a return phone call. It pays big dividends.