It was the classic situation:  kid leaves important item at home, parent dutifully rearranges life to deliver said ESSENTIAL item to school.  In this case, it was my kid’s digital camera - needed for photography class. Seeing as I never seem to see him take pictures at home that aren’t for social media posts, it was easy for me to believe that this item was make or break for in-class work that day. Off I dashed, camera in the backseat. I arrive 2 hours before class time and leave it at the security desk as discussed with darling child. A voice in my head whispers “text him that it’s there so when he’s between classes he can go get it”. Of course that voice was there - I know how things work. But by the time I got back to the car,  my brain had other plans. I was immediately focused on something else - maybe it was hitting a Starbucks, figuring out how to get my day back on track, or heck, whatever was on the radio when I started the car. But one thing was for sure, I had moved on from the camera problem. It’s what we do.

Later that night - I asked about photography class and if he got the camera on-time. “Oh, did you bring it?” he asks.  “Did I bring it? Did I bring it?  I had rearranged my whole morning. I had parked, walked inside, put it in the safekeeping of a security guard who was now saddled with a valuable item with no owner. “I just used one of the teacher’s extras.”

Now, let’s ignore all the other mistakes I made here. [You know, asking “how high?” when my kid asks me to jump; inconveniencing myself for HIS mistake. Failing to let him learn the lesson of remembering his own sh*t, yadda yadda yadda...]  Instead, let’s focus on the one mistake that could have avoided the whole situation. 

I didn’t text him, though I knew I should. My brain knew this would happen. It had already worked the scenario out, yet distraction got in my way. I ignored my favorite mantra that I use with myself and my clients. 

“How About Now?”  

It’s a simple phrase that saves my tush everyday. I get a lot of credit from folks for being organized, on the ball, reliable. Those closest to me know the sad reality of my terrible memory.  “How About NOW?”  is what keeps me organized, on the ball, and reliable. “How about now.“  Simply put - whenever possible, I take action on things before I have a chance to forget them. 

I could have sent that text in less than 30 seconds right there at the security desk, closing the loop on my camera responsibility. The voice told me to - but I replied to that voice with:  “I’ll do it when I get in the car.”  A brief procrastination, but one that made the hour I lost that day an absolute waste of time, instead of the heroic parental gesture it was intended to be.

We often think something will take more time than we have at the moment but we are often wrong. You may be a time optimist or pessimist.  For reference, here are some things that likely take 2-mins or less:

• Look at tomorrow’s calendar items

• Switch laundry load

• Make doctor's appointment

• Put the fork in the dishwasher, not the sink.

• Water a plant

• Initiate an Amazon return

• Delete unused apps, screenshots from your phone

• Make the bed

• Check in on a friend via text

Text your kid that his camera (backpack, cleats, lunch, phone…etc…) is at security.

Product Recommendation of the Month

What I’m Consuming

ADDitude Magazine

I’ve been doing a deep dive into better understanding ADHD. This is the premier resource for that. Such a misunderstood, misnamed, and mis-managed condition. Understanding it better is game-changing if you have or suspect you have ADHD, or live with someone who does. If you have a spouse with ADHD, you might find some real truth and help in this article.