Frank Yan of Sacramento on Setting Life and Daily Reminders

If Frank Yan of Sacramento could seriously kick himself in the behind right now, Mr. Yan would. One day on his way home from the gym, Frank was caught for speeding down Southbound on Sacramento’s Interstate 5 and was issued a hefty fine. Unlike his experience in “If You Want To Change, Tell the Truth”, Frank was never in any doubt that this was anything but my own fault. Frank strongly agrees with the principle that people should drive within the speed limits, and he put this down to a lapse in concentration. What really annoys him, though, is the fact that this is something Frank promised he would never do it again after the last time.

The last time Frank was issued a speeding ticket was a few years ago near the Sacramento Zoo on Land Park Drive. Frank still remembers that day very clearly. He distinctly remembers the following weeks where the care he took driving could have had him nominated for a “Driver of the Year” award. But as these weeks turned into months, Frank slowly returned to a more “normal” way of driving and still predominantly safe – just more relaxed and, therefore, prone to occasional lapses in concentration.

This experience had given him a simple, yet extremely powerful idea: life reminders. I’m sure there are numerous lessons he learned at some point in his life that, as time has marched on, have slowly been forgotten. One example Frank thinks everyone can identify with is the experience of going on holiday. When Frank is on a holiday he begins to appreciate the important things in life: family, friends, and happiness. He’ll also generate endless ideas for what he wants to do to fill his life with success and meaning.

However, as sure as day turns to night, once the holiday is over these ideas and insights slowly get pushed out of my mind as the trials and trivialities of everyday life demand Frank’s attention. To make sure “never do it again” really means “never do it again”, Frank has come up with the some personal reminders:

- Drive safe and within the speed limit.
- Don’t taken family, friends, or others for granted.
- Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
- Remember to find pleasure and meaning in each and every day.
- Being fit and healthy feels so good.

Frank is sure there are many more, and plans to add many more to these as they pop into his head. The next thing to consider, of course, is what to do with these reminders we have. Here are also some methods he thinks will work well:

- Stick them on the fridge, at the front of your diary, or some other prominent place.
- Choose a particular date in your diary.
- Make personal note on your mobile device.
- Record your reminders onto a recorder.
- Perhaps tell someone to remind you.

As you can see, Mr. Yan’s methods are fairly “simple”. He is sure there is also some tech savvy way to set up these types of reminders. Maybe “the” reader could suggest some?