JUST DO IT!

I am not very good at following through. Here's some questions to help remind me to be responsible and "just do it!"

• Do I return borrowed items back at an appropriate time? (books/videos/jacket)
• Am I borrowing items because I wasn't responsible with my own items or didn't plan well?
• How often do I have to purchase a second item because I didn't take care of the first one?
• Do I work diligently to complete an assigned task in a reasonable amount of time or am I always scrambling last minute to put everything together?
  
• Are others hesitant to ask me to do something because I am known to 'drop the ball'?
• How often do I try to excuse my lack of responsibility by saying " I forgot"?
• Do I prepare early enough so that I do not need to rush around (clothing/ shoes)
  
• Am I always running behind?
  
• Am I easily distracted with selfish pursuits (TV/computer) instead of finishing tasks.
• If I promise to bring an item or do something for someone do I follow through?
• Do I put items away when I am done with them?
• How much time do I spend searching for lost items or throwing them away because I can't find the parts to it?
• If I am asked to do something do I have to reminded to do it?
  

OK... now it is time to make a list of some goals to work on

I'm going to college!

Not really truly. At least not in the way my title implies. 17S and almost 16s have not purchased their English composition book for their college class. The class is Monday night and they have reading to do. The problem is that their schedules (and my own) have been a little busy and the book store local to us hasn't been open when they were available to go. They stopped by at 1:00pm and it was closed again.

So are some questions: When is it appropriate to jump in and help out (I am going to drive the 1/2 hour to the main campus and purchase the book because they went to a farewell party for their cousin that is heading off to college). When is it more beneficial to let your children work it out for themselves?

Would it teach more RESPONSIBILITY if I just stayed out of it? Or do I go ahead and make the trip knowing that a good part of the reason they were unable to get it was 16s' job, 17s' volunteer work, and my own schedule?

Answer this time...the younger kids and I are all heading to college! If I had previously been telling them "you better figure out when they are open and get those books" instead of saying all this week "there is still plenty of time to get them before the weekend" I would probably be choosing a different option.

addition to post: never mind- the bookstore is closed early on Fridays but our local campus will be open Sat from 8am-9am only. One more chance!

RESPONSIBILITY

There are so many areas that I want to work on but I don't want to overwhelm the children or myself. So we will begin with focusing on RESPONSIBILITY.

RESPONSIBILITY: knowing and doing what is expected of me *

Are you known as a responsible person? If you agree to do something, do you fulfill your duty in a timely manner? oh... this is a HUGE area for me to work on. I get so easily sidetracked with the role of wife and mother that I don't follow through on those intentions.

For the next few weeks I'll be posting projects and ideas that I intend to use to encourage myself and my family in our quest to show that Character Counts! Hmmm will I be responsible enough to follow through!?!?!

*quote from "Acheiving True Success: How to Build Character as a Family" Copyright 2000 IACC