You should have gotten up earlier.

You shouldn’t have procrastinated.

You should have put it in the calendar.

You should have followed up.

You should have checked in.

You should have reached out.

You should have circled back.

You should have planned ahead.

My mind offers these little reprimands all day long, like an anxious middle manager pacing the halls of a failing corporation. I scold myself because I think the scolding will improve future performance. Somewhere deep down, I believe that if I sufficiently shame myself for today’s failures, tomorrow’s version of me will magically become organized, focused, energetic, and alert. Tomorrow’s Maggie, having absorbed the lecture, will rise at dawn glowing with initiative, alphabetizing spices while........

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