A Hassle Reduction Strategy
I hate hassle. I hate hassle with a passion. I dislike conflict and confrontation. I detest the irritation of not being able to find something such as my car keys. I deplore deadlines that do not give me time enough to do something at a relaxed pace. Over the years, I have developed a hassle-reduction strategy. I am not always consistent in practicing it, but when I do, it definitely reduces the aggravation in my life.
Keep Short AccountsPeople problems are probably one of the greatest sources of hassle in everyone’s life. Differences, disagreements, disputes, etc. cause tension, or worse. The hassle is in having to deal with it.
Keep short accounts with the people. I hate confrontation, but I have learned that an appeaser is a troublemaker; the loving confronter is the peacemaker. The longer a problem in a relationship goes on, the larger and more distorted it grows. Deal with difficulties daily. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath (Eph. 4:26).
Have a Place for EverythingOne of the greatest hassle producers in my life is not putting things where they belong. I lay things down and forget where I put them. Then I get irritated at myself when I can’t find them.
An old adage says, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” The key here is, wherever you put something, it must be in a place that is retrievable. Think backwards. Ask yourself, “When I need this, where would I look for it?” That is where you should put it.
Do What Has to be DoneProcrastination sows seeds that bloom into hassle. Putting things off for tomorrow that should be done sooner, is an almost guaranteed way to ferment hassle. When mail and phone calls pile up, you are set up for a royal hassle. The hassle is the unfinished task that hangs over you like a dark cloud. If you are like me, the last thing you think about before falling asleep, or the first thing in your head when you wake up, is that list of unfinished obligations.
When I was in junior high school, a teacher made us memorize her definition of education. It was, “Do what has to be done, when it has to be done, whether you like it or not.” I question that as a definition of education, but there is no doubt that it is an excellent strategy for hassle reduction. I would add, “Do it with a good attitude.” As Paul says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing” (Phil. 2:14).
Do not procrastinate. As much as possible, do things that come up—such as processing the mail—daily. Return phone calls as soon as possible.
In short, when I do what I am supposed to do and do it in a timely manner, it greatly reduces the hassle in my life.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 7/30/2010
Keep Short AccountsPeople problems are probably one of the greatest sources of hassle in everyone’s life. Differences, disagreements, disputes, etc. cause tension, or worse. The hassle is in having to deal with it.
Keep short accounts with the people. I hate confrontation, but I have learned that an appeaser is a troublemaker; the loving confronter is the peacemaker. The longer a problem in a relationship goes on, the larger and more distorted it grows. Deal with difficulties daily. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath (Eph. 4:26).
Have a Place for EverythingOne of the greatest hassle producers in my life is not putting things where they belong. I lay things down and forget where I put them. Then I get irritated at myself when I can’t find them.
An old adage says, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” The key here is, wherever you put something, it must be in a place that is retrievable. Think backwards. Ask yourself, “When I need this, where would I look for it?” That is where you should put it.
Do What Has to be DoneProcrastination sows seeds that bloom into hassle. Putting things off for tomorrow that should be done sooner, is an almost guaranteed way to ferment hassle. When mail and phone calls pile up, you are set up for a royal hassle. The hassle is the unfinished task that hangs over you like a dark cloud. If you are like me, the last thing you think about before falling asleep, or the first thing in your head when you wake up, is that list of unfinished obligations.
When I was in junior high school, a teacher made us memorize her definition of education. It was, “Do what has to be done, when it has to be done, whether you like it or not.” I question that as a definition of education, but there is no doubt that it is an excellent strategy for hassle reduction. I would add, “Do it with a good attitude.” As Paul says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing” (Phil. 2:14).
Do not procrastinate. As much as possible, do things that come up—such as processing the mail—daily. Return phone calls as soon as possible.
In short, when I do what I am supposed to do and do it in a timely manner, it greatly reduces the hassle in my life.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 7/30/2010