I got a text from a friend the other day that read, “Hey hottie Mchottie, just saw your missed call. Was that by accident or do you need me to call you back?” I don’t know about you, but this happens to me often—not people calling me hot, but being both the sender and receiver of misinterpreted missed calls, otherwise known as the “butt dial.”
We have come to the point in our society where we treat unscheduled phone calls as if they were a mistake, for whatever reason. Maybe it’s the high cost of living in New Jersey and the fact we no longer work from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. We’re certainly busier than ever before. When I was a kid, if a phone call came in, we answered it not knowing who was on the other end. (Imagine that, Millennials!) It also was common for friends and neighbors to show up at the door unannounced. Whenever they did, my mother was ready with a pot of coffee and an Entenmanns’s cake. Some of us today might not even have creamer or milk handy.
I love scheduling my week—and yes, even scheduling phone conversations—but on that particular day, I needed to talk to my friend right away. Keeping myself on a schedule helps me get more done. It puts me in control of my time, and it allows me to determine when to respond to other people’s needs and emergencies. It doesn’t mean I answer unexpected calls with a scowl on my face. Generally, I’ll answer the phone cheerfully, but don’t be insulted if I tell you that it’s not a good time to talk.
Planning phone calls, scheduling doctor appointments, putting workouts on the calendar, and even preparing healthy foods ahead of time sets us up for success. Being a fitness coach, I encourage people to plan their workouts and meals each week instead of attending to them when the mood strikes. I will take it a step further and say that when you have a scheduled workout with a fitness coach or personal trainer waiting for you, you’re more likely to keep your commitment and see better results. It’s a way to hold yourself accountable.
Remember that when you fail to plan, you plan to fail, so let’s get that workout on the calendar! I can even call to remind you. And if you don’t answer right way, no worries. I will completely understand.
