Every now and then I get that “sinking feeling” that I just missed doing something that I either intended to do or more importantly, really needed to do. The feeling is so unpleasant that at times I would rather not even be aware that I missed something. However, given that I see emotion as information it seems a good idea to listen to my own emotions… then do something about the situation.

Last Thursday, I checked my email and saw several from work that were as yet unread. I had “that sinking feeling” that I had missed something. I did. Missed another staff meeting… #%@&!!! Okay, observe that I feel upset. Observe that the meeting is over. Orient myself to the fact that there is nothing I can do about the meeting now. Decide that I really, really don’t want to miss the next one. Act: Dig out the monthly memo, and write all meetings in my schedule book. Apologize to the boss too while I am at it. Check to see if I missed anything else while I was off in La La Land. (BTW, this is an OODA Loop if you saw the post). Let the feeling go and move on.

It is easy to let my email go for awhile, which I did, get relaxed and check in later. Of course the “sinking feeling” can always be waiting. When I am on top of things I do a lot of organizing just so I can avoid that feeling. The information provided by the feeling is good, it keeps me on my toes. However, I would just rather receive information that says I am ahead of the game…hold on to that feeling for awhile… then move on.