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Janet: Tools to be on time

Janet McEwen

Change Challenger Janet shares her change plan to be on time…once and for all.

Change Anything
I was on time for my birth, but it has been a struggle ever since. When I am on time, I feel calm and really good. When I am not – which is far too often – I feel stressed and can just feel my immune system drain.

I have been working in earnest to change this behavior for 15 years. However, with help from the Change Anything challenge, this could be the year I change my life.

Changing my behavior is especially important for my career. I have been with my new employer for two years. Where my former employer had a relaxed attitude about starting times for staff meetings, my new employer is much different. We start meetings on time. So far, I have been on time to group meetings but it has not been easy. My goal is to relax so I can contribute my best to the company. To do that, I really need to get my rushing problem under control.

Using the Change Anything model, here are the crucial moments I’ve identified:

  • When I’m going to sleep and want to read “just one more chapter”.
  • When I watch the Today Show and get into the shower late.
  • When I have 5 minutes before I need to leave to be on time and I decide to do just one more task.

The vital behaviors I’ve identified:

  • Turn off the lights at a specific time each night, depending on when I need to wake up.
  • Get breakfast out of the way before the Today Show.
  • Shower during the local news.
  • When I’m in my office, stop any activity or tasks 5 minutes before any meetings start.
  • When I’m at home or outside the office, stop any activity or tasks 10 minutes before I have to leave.

I am definitely making progress. One of my coaches suggested I focus on what is going well rather than solely on what is not going well. It was then I realized that although I continue to struggle with leaving my house at 8:05 am for work, I do arrive early for work meetings, restaurant meetings with friends, and church.

Last week, I realized I have no skin in the game. In other words, aside from feeling bad, I had no other consequences to not leave home at 8:05. I have now placed $250 in a specially designated savings account. I have decided that for each day I leave home later than 8:05, I will donate $5 to a charity I dislike. If I do not leave on time any day in a week, I will give an extra $10 for a potential total of $35/week. I have selected a pair of earrings I would like to buy that cost $208. That means I cannot afford to slip up too often or I will not be able to afford the earrings.

I’ve also added author David Maxfield and my sister Patty as my coaches. This has made a real difference as I no longer feel I’m writing a diary for myself, but that I’m blogging for my team.

I’ve gone through the stages the authors expected – excitement then discouragement. But by adding tools to my toolbox (skin in the game, a daily log, and coaches) I’m finding it’s easier. I also am finding that as I become comfortable with the tools, I’m getting ready to make a second commitment related to exercise. So, I’ll be adding that plan during the next couple of weeks.

You can learn more insights and skills like this in Crucial Influence

2 thoughts on “Janet: Tools to be on time”

  1. Janice

    Janet,

    I too struggle with the addicting nature of “one more thing” and the Today show in the morning! I’m often late to work as well but never really for important meetings. I love the skin in the game suggestions and also reading about your progress. It’s something that will motivate me as well. Keep up the good work.

    Janice

  2. Chris Medvescek

    I’m a procrastinator so we’re sort of related. I appreciated your analysis and concrete actions. Go girl!

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