Replenishing Habits

You run out of gas, you run out of fresh batteries, or you run out of prescriptions. It seems you are always running out of something or paying the price because you find yourselves "dry." What can you do to improve your replenishing skills so you don't run out of anything anymore? May I share several ideas about improving your replenishing habits that will save time, trouble, and hassle for all of your life? You see, with a little change in habits, shopping patterns, and personal awareness, you never need run out of anything again!

"Earlier" Standards
First, set "earlier" refill standards. When I talk to people and ask them how low they let the gas get in their car before they get uptight, I get a variety of answers from, "Well, I have a gas can in the back if I need to walk to a station" to "I wait till the red light goes on" to "Well, I kind of wait to get sort of close to empty." May I suggest setting an "earlier" refill standard so you will always have gas? I would like to suggest that as soon as the gas gauge hits the one-quarter full mark, you begin looking for a gas station. This gives you a couple of days to be where you usually purchase gas or be near another convenient station. It is just a small, but important change in habit. You will never run out of gas because you can't if you're always one quarter of the way or more full.

Think about the milk in your frig. How many times have you had to go to the store just so your family can have milk on their breakfast cereal? A small change in habits makes a big difference. Mark or tag the last gallon of milk in the frig. Then, buy milk at the next convenient time, arrange for delivery to your door, or buy more than you will need next time to better fulfill the upcoming, anticipated use of your family and friends.

"Notation" Standards
Second, when you have replenishing needs which are tied to a certain expiration date or you will run out by a certain time, plan to make notations as reminders to stay ahead. For instance, when you get a prescription, immediately write on your calendar or planner when that prescription will be gone and then make another written note four or five days before as a reminder to call in the refill or check in with your doctor. Then make the necessary arrangements to pick up the prescription the next time you run errands.

If you regularly borrow library books, note the due date on your calendar (even if you plan to return to the library before the anticipated due date) as a second, written reminder of your responsibilities. Again, notations are a great replenishing habit.

"Fresh" Standards
Third, have the habit of having a second, fresh set. You use batteries in so many different ways; you might have a cell phone, flashlights, and/or a video camera. May I encourage you to always have a second, fresh set of batteries ready to use? In other words, if you buy a new camera, get a second set of rechargeable batteries, and have them charging so that they will be ready at a moment’s notice. Do the same with your flashlight and any other item which needs fresh batteries occasionally. With your cell phone, have a regular habit for recharging at a certain time of the day or week.

This same principles applies with the print cartridge for your printer, the copy paper in your office, and the socks in your drawer. Always, always be living ahead of your need, not at your current level of need. Then you will have more time to replenish at your convenience instead having to make a mad rush to the store, usually with greater expense.

"Inevitable" Standards
Finally, prepare for the inevitable. I encourage people to prepare for the next time this time. As you come home from running errands today, clean out your car, make sure you have a spare diaper or two, a little bit of cash stashed, the water bottles refilled, and Cheerios in a container for your children. If you do this, you will be unlikely to ever have an unpleasant trip, because although you might be stressed the next time you climb into your vehicle and not even be thinking about some of these needs, you will be safe knowing that at the end of the last trip you replenished.

The same goes for most activities involving other people. Occasionally, they will fail you. They will forget to bring the handouts for the meeting and you will be glad you have another original on hand to make more. They will forget the serving spoons for the birthday picnic and you will be glad you keep a couple of extras stashed in your picnic basket. They will neglect to bring sunscreen to the family reunion and you will have a spare bottle right in your beach bag. While we want others to be independent and responsible, sometimes it is not worth a sunburn or a ruined activity! Prepare for possible failure by being fully replenished yourself.

Very soon, I encourage you to find one or two places where you could really improve your replenishing habits. Then have a wonderful replenishing and "I’m just a little bit ahead of the game" life if you can!

©2009 Marie Calder Ricks/www.houseoforder.com