DR. WALLACE: We're in the middle of the summer, a time when I should be enjoying myself thoroughly, but I feel I am sabotaging it already. During the school year, my daily routine is much more structured, as I do the same things at the same time for most of each week.

Usually, once summertime arrives, and in particular this year, I tend to turn my mind off somewhat and just try to relax and enjoy my free time. However, because I'm not keeping track of things very well at all this summer, I've caused myself multiple incidents of strife where I've forgotten to meet somebody that I previously agreed to meet or forgotten to take care of things I should've done. I'm not talking about chores at home or things my parents need from me, I'm talking about within my circle of friends and acquaintances!

I don't know why this is, and I'm starting to feel blue because my performance with my friends has been so poor. More than once, I've been scolded by some of my best friends because I simply haven't kept my word, even though I was quite sincere when I made the plans originally. I'm Sabotaging My Summer, via email

I'M SABOTAGING MY SUMMER: I understand that you have a lot more free time on your hands during this time of year, but there's really no excuse for not being more organized, especially with people who are close friends of yours and that you want to enjoy time with, rather than disappointing them.

I recommend trying a new tactic immediately. When you wake up and get going each morning, project yourself into the future, thinking about what fun things you have lined up over the next several days and even weeks. Imagine the good times you're going to have, who you'll be with and where you're going.

Make this a priority like it's a "job" or the first class you have to attend during a typical day at school. Push your mind to think forward and to review your schedule repeatedly, even obsessively. This shouldn't be too difficult since you're focusing on things you look forward to experiencing.

Yes, you can keep a calendar, put notes on your phone and do all of the usual things that can be done mechanically to create reminders for yourself. But my core advice is to start with your mind the very first thing every morning before you let yourself drift through each summer day doing whatever activities that are soaking up your time and distracting you from being able to remember what should be easy to remember.

MY GOOD BROTHER HAS A BAD HABIT

DR. WALLACE: I have a 13-year-old brother who's basically a good kid, and because I'm five years older than he is, he looks up to me. We're generally pretty close despite our age discrepancy, but he has a really bad habit of distracting me and interrupting me when I'm working on an important project.

And even though it's summer right now, I have some things I'm working on that I need to concentrate sharply on to be able to use the free time I have effectively. Naturally, I have a busy social schedule at this time of year, so when I do sit down to get some work done, I need to be able to concentrate completely. My brother doesn't seem to understand this.

I almost snapped at him the other day, but I was able to catch myself in time and all I did was let out a deep sigh, and then I answered the questions that he had and looked at some things he wanted to show me and so forth.

What can I do about this in the future? I don't want to eventually snap at my little brother, but I can't be interrupted multiple times whenever I'm trying to concentrate. — He Interrupts Without Asking, via email

HE INTERRUPTS WITHOUT ASKING: First of all, it's good that you didn't lose your cool and snap or yell at him. This means that you're still on solid footing with him, and as you mentioned, you say he truly looks up to you.

I feel you need to arrange a method of preventive maintenance here. Go to your brother directly when you have five or ten minutes of free time, no matter what time of day it may be, as long as it's outside of the times you need to concentrate heavily. Ask him how he's doing, what he wants to show you and if he needs any advice about anything. I'm sure he'll appreciate your proactivity and direct interest in him.

Then, as you wrap up one of these meetings, let him know that there will be times you'll need to concentrate for several hours without any interruptions, but that doesn't reflect at all on him or his needs, but it's just simply something you need to apply your full attention to without interruption.

Tell him that when you complete the time you're going to be in full concentration mode, you'll spend a few minutes with him that day or the next morning to be sure and catch up with him and what's going on in his world. Being proactive and talking to him earnestly and rationally before your frustration boils over is the way to go here.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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