Numbers and Straight Lines (part 1)

While making my plan for the week, I decided to put it into terms that might be helpful to others.  Let me remind you that I am undercover Type A.  I am also what they referred to as "anal expulsive" in my psychology classes (the opposite of anal retentive--mostly messy, nothing to do with poop).  I spend so much time living in chaos (plug for the FlyLady) that I have organized systems to help me manage my days and nights.

I have a very specific set of skills--not like Liam Neeson in Taken 1, 2 or 3.  I think a lot and it is usually in terms of numbers or straight lines.  How much will this cost?  How far will I drive?  How long will this take?  I need answers in dollars, distance and time.  I need a number.  I need to know where I start and where I end.  I don't want to go around in circles.  Start to finish...  no dilly-dallying around (or pussy-footing as my 1st grade teacher would say).

For instance, when I wake up in the morning, I already know exactly what I will be doing every 5 minutes.  In the mornings, I do not like to talk because that interferes with my timing.  I know exactly how long I'll shower (10 minutes), get dressed (3 - 5 minutes), do my hair (10 minutes), brew my coffee (1 minute prep, 3 minute drip), make the kids lunches (5 minutes--assuming that everything is in order), drive the kids to school (20 minutes), stop for my morning muffin and a new cup of coffee (5 minutes) and drive to work (17 minutes).  From start to finish, I need approximately 80 minutes from the time I wake up until the time I am at the office.  If I have to iron, I add 5 minutes.  If I have to make breakfast for myself, I add 5 minutes.  If I have to fix my lunch, I add 10 minutes (unless I have a frozen entree then I don't count the time).

The problem with my system is that no one respects it.  People talk to me in they morning.  Drives me nutty.  They ask me questions.  Please...  get dressed from head to toe including teeth brushed and shoes, eat your breakfast, stand at the door with everything that you need for the day to signal to me that you are ready.  If you are not providing the correct signals, I get confused.  If you are talking, I get confused.  We have 80 minutes from start to finish.  Talking is not included in the equation unless you talk and walk.  

In summary, I have a mental map in my head of everything that I will do for the day.  I know how long it will take and what I need to do to get there--both mentally and physically.   Since what is in my head is useless to you and yours, I will be providing tools in a part 2 post.