The day I left my brain…

Yesterday, I left my brain at church.

Yes, you heard me right. I left my brain at church.

I’d been grading papers in the sanctuary while the Rock Solid kids had their classes in the classrooms. My bag was on the floor, my brain–I mean, my book–was under the chair, and my grading portfolio open on my lap. When I got up to leave, I grabbed my bag off the floor and stuffed my grading portfolio inside. I puzzled a bit as I realized that my pen didn’t belong in my bag. But I couldn’t remember where it did belong.

So I packed my bag away and took off for home.

It wasn’t until almost midnight that I realized what I was missing–my brain. I frantically searched around the room before it became obvious that I’d left my book at the church.

Every impulse within me urged me to race back to the church, to retrieve my book immediately. But I resisted the impulse, figuring that I could live without it for twelve hours.

And I was able to survive–but just barely–until noon today when I was finally free to drive all the way out to church.

Lest you think that I exaggerate my dependence on my book, allow me to share how my book serves as my brain.

• When I wake up, my book contains my morning routines which tell me what to do
• When I’m considering purchasing anything, my book tells me whether I have any money for it in my budget
• When I’m at the grocery store, my book contains coupons and usually my shopping list, helping me shop efficiently within my budget
• When I’m heading somewhere unfamiliar, my book contains a map of Lincoln’s bike trails to direct me to the nearest route
• When I need to sign something, my book contains pens (and pencils)
• When I’m losing sight of what’s important, my book contains my vision statement and goals to keep me on track
• Whether I’m scheduling an appointment or planning my day, my book contains my calendar to make sure I don’t double book and that I’ll make it to everything on time
• When I’m juggling multiple tasks and trying to prioritize, my book contains daily and weekly to do lists that give me the essentials
• When it’s time to get ready for bed, my book contains my evening routines to make sure I’m ready for whatever tomorrow brings
• When I’ve got some extra time, my book reminds me of topics I want to write about or read about–or what websites I want to check out
• When I’m at the library, my book has a list of all the Dewey Decimal classifications, of the sections or authors I’ve already read, of the sections or authors I’m currently working on, and of books that I want to read (generally from recommendations)
• When I’m getting something for my car, my book gives me all my car related specs
• When I’m at the doctor’s office, my book keeps my medical history straight
• When I need to make a phone call, send an e-mail, or drop someone a note, my book contains contact information on all my personal and business contacts.

People have been wont to ask me how I do what I do–as busy as I am. My answer? I keep my brains in my book. I don’t have to remember all those things. I don’t have to juggle it. My book does the juggling for me.

There are just two simple things that allow me to keep my brains in my book.

1. I tell my brain everything I need to know. I write down everything in its appropriate place within my book.
2. My brain tells me everything I need to know. I refer to my book constantly throughout the day.

This is a system that simply works for me–as long as I don’t leave my brain behind anywhere!