More Mis-Adventures

I promise you the stories I share with you are real.

When I describe clumsy, distracted, unbelievable situations that happen to me I ain't lying.

So here's a new one for you:

This past week I really tried to buckle down and get some paperwork done.  Yes, I procrastinate, mostly because I forget what I'm supposed to do until it's almost too late to do it.

Not THIS time- I promised myself.

So I settled down at my desk, got my files ready, charged up my cell phone and began returning phone calls to insurance companies I was supposed to contact weeks earler.

I certainly didn't think I'd misdialed: I mean, they give you many many (many many) numbers from which to choose.  Certainly ONE of those numbers would start me in the right direction.

I should have known something was wrong when the voice that answered the phone was one of a young lady who just sounded too happy.  No insurance company really has employees that sound that chipper, do they?

I became suspicious when this young lady asked me if I like to have fun.

Have fun?  I'm calling an insurance company.  They don't really care if I have fun.  They want my provider number and any other number I can come up with.  They mean business.

Ooooohhhhhh....I listened further.  This young lady was suggesting I didn't need to be lonely tonight.

I hung up.  And started laughing.

OF COURSE I dialed a 'dating service' number instead of an insurance company!

No lie.

Learn to Make Better Choices

Most people find it difficult to make good choices. Without some form of guidance many of us flounder aimlessly until we make a spontaneous decision or even no decision at all.

Then hindsight reveals how uninformed we really were; the consequences seem to far outweigh the original choices.

That's why I've created the phrase 'Aggravation Fee.'

Using this term can enable anyone to gain confidence while learning to make better decisions.

Let me explain what I mean.

Imagine yourself shopping and you stumble upon a really good deal. Let's say for example it's a pair of shoes that would be just perfect for you. They fit beautifully, are comfortable, and for some unknown reason make you feel ten pounds thinner and look three inches taller.

You hesitate to purchase these shoes because they are a few dollars more than you're willing to spend. You hem and haw and walk around them and finally decide to put them back (some people even admit to hiding these items in hopes no one else will ever find them).

You rationalize your hesitation by saying things like,

"I'll wait for a sale," or "If they're still here next time I shop I'll buy them."

My favorite excuse is "If it's the Lord's Will they'll be here AND on sale."

Then guess what happens.

You come back for them and they're gone.

You even look through the displays and around the store to see if maybe someone put them in the wrong place. You check other store branches in hopes they might still have them. You would even pay full price or more if you could just have the chance to buy those shoes.

No luck.

Now you're upset.

You berate yourself because once again you blew it.

Suddenly a simple pair of shoes becomes the ONE THING you need to make your life better. Your wardrobe reminds you of your failure; every clothing combination seems shabby because the only thing that could make it work is the perfect pair of shoes you let slip away.

You, my friend, have just paid an 'Aggravation Fee.'

An aggravation fee is what you pay each time you decide to take the easiest or least complicated choice in a situation. The aggravation you experience, whether it be in regret or irritation, has a value attached to it. The time lost and stress associated with that pair of shoes far outweighed their initial cost.

So when you're facing a choice, say, whether to avoid a phone call or to simply take a deep breath and make the call, consider the aggravation fee.

Is procrastination worth paying the aggravation fee or should you just do the task ?

Would you have more peace if you don't go out with that group of irritating friends this time?

Should you get gas for the car now while you have time or are you willing to risk the inconvenience of waiting? Then, of course, it'll be raining and you'll be late for work and you'll kick yourself. The aggravation again may outweigh a little inconvenience early on.

It IS possible to make good choices.

Using the concept of aggravation fee will allow you to weigh your options and choose wisely.

You will likely lessen your stress and even have time to buy more shoes.