The over-prepared

'...the art of maximizing the amount of work not done...' -- Agile Manifesto

I have a strong tendency to do more work than I need to. I do this in small ways and large, and I call it over-preparing.

As a small example, when I arrive home I tend to get my keys out of my pocket (or bag) about 20 metres before I am at my front door. There is no need for me to get the keys out this early before I get to the door. I could get them out 5 metres from the door without having any delay between walking and putting the key into the lock, or even, as shockingly inefficient as it would be, reaching and stopping at my front door before reaching for my keys.

But for some reason I think that having 15 metres of preparation is essential, despite the increased risk of dropping the keys and tripping over because I am thinking about the keys instead of walking (admittedly small risks, but it is surprising how often I do drop the keys).

I am sure I do this in larger ways as well, and I started wondering what I am actually doing. In the words of a friend of mine, I am not sure if it is a bug or a feature, but it would seem to me that I am doing work before it actually needs to be done, therefore increasing the likelihood that I am doing work unnecessarily.

I think it comes down to wanting to feel like I am being productive and efficient and doing, whereas some moments don't require that, and I would be better off staying with the moment and being in the moment.

Time to stop typing, and to have a cup of tea.

I would never leave the house without brushing my teeth

Before I leave the house in the morning I always brush my teeth. The thought of inflicting my stale morning breath on another unsuspecting human is more than enough to ensure I maintain this life long habit. 

I was thinking about this and in a way how insignificant a bit of bad breath is. What other things am I inflicting on my fellow unsuspecting humans by not preparing adequately in the mornings? I have come up with a list of things I want to do every morning, and the possible implications to others and myself if I don't.

1) Drink a glass of water: dehydration, headaches, grumpiness, lack of concentration

2) Exercises: poor posture, achey body, grumpiness, distractedness, poor energy flow

3) Gratitude: selfishness, narrowness, depression, unhappiness

4) Intention: drifting through the day, lack of purpose

5) Meditate: mindlessness, unable to listen well, poor decision making

6) Blog: constrictive expression, thoughtlessness, lack of giving

7) Nutritious breakfast: hunger, grumpiness, poor nutrition, sickness, lack of energy and zest

8) Supplements: poor gut health, sickness, lack of energy and zest

9) Hot and cold shower: smelly, no wild man energy, poor care for my body

10) Teeth: bad breath, decaying teeth, gum disease, heart disease

11) Mindfully dressed: look out of alignment, feel shabby, lack of confidence

I have a hunch that to give myself the opportunity of being the best I can be on any particular day, these are the things I need to do each morning. It seems like a lot, but I reckon that the difference in my day and the impact I can have on others by doing these things, it is probably not that much at all.