Keys - Lost and Found

I had been faithful the night before in putting my keys on the rack when I came in the door, so where were they when I was ready to pick up my grandchildren from their swimming lessons? I used to lose my keys all the time, and it has actually been a few years since I have lost them. Through a lot of trial and effort, I created new habits that have been working for me. What went wrong this time? I searched the house, and as I watched the clock, knowing I was supposed to leave soon, I was painfully brought back to those old feelings of anxiety and frustration as I searched the house for my keys. Based on my own experience, what I have read, and the experiences of the clients I coach, the experience I had is similarly repeated by others when keys get lost, but can be prevented.

LOST KEYS

• When it was almost time to leave, I grabbed my keys off the key rack, and went out to my car.
  
• I noticed that I had a box for Goodwill that had to be moved to the trunk to make room for my passengers.
• I then had to take another box out of my trunk and put it in the garage to make room for the Goodwill box.
• It was then that I discovered the keys were lost.
• I did not remember putting the keys down. I searched the car, the trunk, the garage, the kitchen, my office - more than once.
  
• I eventually found them on the floor in the kitchen, right below the key rack.
  

HOW I COULD HAVE PREVENTED LOSING MY KEYS (and saved a lot of time)

• The trip I was about to make was not a part of my usual routine, so I should have been especially aware of my surroundings and my actions.
  

• The habits I have created over the years to keep me from losing my keys were actually done automatically in this situation, but I was not aware of it. I lost my keys because I first lost conscious awareness of what I was doing. I had actually attempted to put the keys back on the rack in the kitchen while I moved the box, but they fell on the floor. I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing, but thinking about where I needed to be, and watching the clock.
  
• We tend to lose things during times of transition: coming into the house, leaving the house, changing classes, getting in and out of the car or school bus. These are the times I need to remind myself to be more aware of my actions.
  
• I needed to take a breath and relax. When anxiety and stress mount in a situation, we are not able to think clearly, and only become more anxious. I didn't remember trying to put them back on the key rack, I didn't hear them hit the floor, and probably looked right past them when I was searching.

I have proven to myself over the past few years that I can stop losing my keys, but I must have started to take it for granted. When I am outside my normal routine, and in times of transition, I need to put my thinking cap on, and watch what I am doing. Hopefully, I have learned my lesson. I have so enjoyed the lack of stress and the time saved when I can just pick up my keys and walk out the door.

If you'd like help to become more organized and productive, please contact me via my website (below) or just call me at 610-299-5191, or 717-872-7424 to find out more. Coaching is available by phone or e-mail wherever you are.

© 2009 Organized Enough® LLC

Organizing and Productivity Coaching for ADHD Students
http://www.organizedenough.com/