Remember “normalcy?” It’s been a while. But before this current version of “crazy,” you probably thought elements of your “way back then” life were pretty crazy too.
It didn’t require the first worldwide pandemic in 100 years to hear people saying things like:
- “I’m not cut out for this.”
- “I’m getting too old for this.”
- “I didn’t sign up for this.”
It’s good to recall the words of Mrs. Nussbaum from the old neighborhood: “Always be prepared for crazy.”
It was her simple way of saying: “I don’t want to hear about things not being perfect. I want to hear that you are better prepared to handle it next time.”
She was tough, but fair. But most of all, she was wise.
That’s because “being prepared for crazy” is a state of mind. And it’s incredibly useful when it comes to sticking to goals and living a healthy, caring life. Take comfort in this. Especially when the world goes crazy. Or stays crazy.
Bake In The Crazy
If you have a goal of lifting weights three times a week, you want to stick to it, right? Same thing if the goal is to sleep eight hours a night.
When everything hums along without any hiccups, it’s easy to stick to your goal. If traffic is light, or the boss doesn’t make you stay late, you’ve got time to lift. If you go to bed on time, you’ll get the eight hours.
But what about when the crazy happens? Isn’t that the catalyst for making excuses?
The goals are still important, but you didn’t expect the traffic jam. So you give yourself permission to skip the weights. You didn’t expect the Peterson’s to over-stay their welcome last night. So it’s not your fault your sleep schedule becomes a nightmare.
Okay. Fair enough. But the only predictable thing about life is how unpredictable it is. So how can you stay on-track when day-to-day life is so dynamic? How can you plan and anticipate for the crazy?
If Zig Happens, Then Zag
The Zig/Zag Technique is the ultimate way to plan for crazy and stay on schedule even when life goes bananas. Why? Because it forces you to create a strategy for dealing with chaos before you need to.
If you don’t get home in time to lift weights, then you’ll lift weights in the morning before work.
If you didn’t get eight hours of sleep last night, maybe you’ll work in a “power nap” during lunch.
The Zig/Zag Technique helps you to consider the unpredictable craziness that so often enters our daily lives. And it provides more options for sticking to your goals. Life is a crooked line, after all.
Do Something vs. Nothing
Maybe the world is crazier than it used to be. Or maybe it’s always been crazy, but we talk about it more now. Either way, you can be sure of countless mini-emergencies every day. Each one designed to re-route you from your goals. But you can do something about it. And that’s the key. Something is always better than nothing.
If you choose to plan for the crazy and use the Zig/Zag Technique to find options for staying on-track, then your day will stay on-course.
One other thing Mrs. Nussbaum used to say: “Look, dearie. Maybe you can’t always do it all. But you can always do something small.”
She’s right.
Forget the crazy.
It will always be with us in one form or another.
Doing something (however small) is at least a start. From maintaining goals, to pursuing a caring life – it all comes down to a willingness to start. Or get started over and over again. Comforting to know, isn’t it? And there’s nothing crazy about that.
By Mark Smith, contributing author
We are all working our way through a changed world as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. We may no longer be quarantined or under stay-at-home orders, but everyone is stretched to adapt like never before. All of us are in this together. Now more than ever, caring is what we need most. Caring for our self. Caring for others around us in our communities. Life now demands caring, resilience and compassion like never before. This is a great opportunity to create the world we want for our future generations. We invite you to join us in creating a caring movement!
Would you like to read more about UCA caring resources and products? We have other blogs on Unified Caring Association and our products, caring in our communities, and caring the UCA way!
