Ahead of the Game

The dishwasher is not full but clean silverware is getting scarce. Glasses, too, are running low. Best to run the machine now and have an empty, clean dishwasher later in the day.

Same with garbage bins. Filling up yet still some squashability to make more room. Perhaps consider filling it the rest of the way with small contributions from other waste cans scattered around the house? Then, take out the larger bag and start fresh with a new empty bag.

Laundry is another routine that comes and goes. Well, it is always coming, isn’t it? Always a pair of used socks, underwear, shirts and utility rags. Towels, too. Then pants and sweatshirts and pants. The load gathers. Sometimes it fills full before the week is out, so an extra load is needed, especially to clean the towels.

And the mail. Slogs of it, mostly ads. Toss the stuff right away. Check for notes, letters and bills. That’s the important stuff anyway. And bills? Not many of those because most are automatically paid by direct debit or auto pay electronically.

Yes, this is how I get ahead of the game. There is still more. Work. Now it is all volunteer work, but an obligation just the same. It comes in daily, and I usually handle it as it comes in. Some arrives on email late in the day; that automatically gets handled early the next morning. Yep, I stay ahead of the game with volunteer work as well. It keeps the brain fresh, challenged and achieving results routinely. I feel I have accomplished something and that is reward enough.

Being ahead of the game means I am available for things that come up unexpectedly. I have the time and energy to handle them right away as well. If someone needs something from me, they ask, and I handle it. I think they know this because I get more and more of these requests. Perhaps I should consider delayed responses to discourage some of this traffic?

Some things naturally back up. Reading material is one. It is easier to turn on the TV than open a book and focus my attention on the material. Still, I read. It is a must in doing much of anything of value. Keeping up with information is critical in so much we do. So, reading gets done. I often catch up while waiting in a doctor’s office. A good time to concentrate on reading. Or waiting any other time. I used to carry a novel with me at all times. When delayed at a railroad crossing, I had something to occupy my mind. Also, when I traveled on business. A novel was handy while waiting to check into a hotel or ordering a meal at a restaurant. All waiting times in fact, I had something to read to fill the idle time otherwise wasted.

Getting ahead with tasks becomes a challenge that I win most of the time. it is just one of those things that I learned in school, especially college. Get assignments done fast so there is time to consider other things. Also, time for relaxing. This practice – getting and staying ahead – became most useful in my work career. People became aware that I was reliable in handling sudden projects. That helped me get ahead in another sense of the term.

Besides, not being ahead of the game means I would be overwhelmed with a lot of undone tasks. That pressure is odious to me. Something dreaded. To be avoided. And I do by getting it done ahead of time.

It has been well worth the effort. And pleasing. To me. Not a bad reward.

April 3, 2024

 

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