Pay it Ahead; Do it Ahead

I've been hearing the phrase "pay it ahead" a lot lately, as we try to weather the current economic crisis. I think "do it ahead" is a good idea, too. Some people thrive on waiting until the last minute to do anything. They say they can't concentrate until the pressure is on. With my newspaper background, I've certainly heard my share of, "I do my best work on deadline."

I hate to put anything off until the 11th hour. Even the word "deadline" bothers me. Do we feel like we'll be dead if we don't meet that line?

Doing things early eliminates a lot of stress. You can actually enjoy the project, rather than sweating it out. You can say yes to that invitation because you've already got your work done. I have a friend who has a big garage sale every year. She knows she's going to have it, she has it on the same weekend every year and yet, she stays up all night before she opens the sale at 6 a.m. "I can't get it all ready if I don't stay up all night," she says. Those other 364 days and nights weren't enough?

When you're early, instead of late -- when you're working ahead, rather than behind -- you get no lines, time to find the best whatever, relaxation, bargains, reduced stress, no worry about weather or traffic jams, and the best parking space. Let's do it ahead!