Planning Ahead

 I learned many valuable lessons in my time at WillowBridge, and one of them was that if I had spare time, I should use it to work on a project, because whenever I needed to work on the project, I was pretty much guaranteed to have zero time for it. 

Spare time was a rare gift in that job, but it did happen upon occasion, and I'd launch into writing manuals or reorganizing storage rooms, which, of course, required playing with the label maker. I picked projects that brought my Type A heart so much joy, and without fail, I was always glad I worked ahead. The time would come when I needed that project to be completed, and sure enough, I didn't have any time to give.

Time feels more plentiful now. (Don't misunderstand. I'm not bored! But I can breathe.) But I've brought that forward-planning method with me into this season of my life, and I find it works just as beautifully now as it did then.

In the six or so weeks that we spent "in retirement," as we called it, I worked to catch up on scrapbooks, journals, unpacking, and settling in. I had no idea what would be ahead for me in the world of employment, and if I found myself busy with a job, I wanted to be caught up on the projects that were otherwise likely to irritate me.

When I had some spare time earlier this summer, I planned our entire anniversary trip in full detail. It was months ahead of schedule, but I told myself to finish it then, because if things became busy as fall went along, I'd be glad it was done.

Yesterday I received a new project assignment. It's exciting, and I'm looking forward to it in every way, but the timeline is tight, and I don't want to panic at the end.

So last night, I locked myself in the office with a big cup of coffee and pulled out the planner and ALL the Flair pens. Every color. I sat down and mapped out the days ahead, working hard to make sure I had all my already-standing commitments covered with plenty of room for the new assignment.

People tend to pick on me for how far ahead I plan and how detailed I am in my organization. It doesn't bother me. I know it isn't everyone's greatest joy, and that's fine. But for me, planning ahead makes all of life go so much more smoothly. And working ahead (when possible) allows me to breathe more later. It is absolutely worth it.

And if you're a praying friend, and you think of me in this next week, will you join me in praying that I do my very best work on this project? I want to give it my all!

Enjoy your weekend, friends! And plan ahead!