Now here’s a woman who knows how to get things done

Most of us, at one time or another, have had to try to find a solution to a unique problem or to accomplish an unusual task. Julie Subotky, the founder of Consider It Done and author of the book by the same name, does just that for a living.

Whether an unusual or mundane job, Julie gets things done ... for other people.

From how to sneak an elephant into a public park to how to guarantee your luggage won’t get lost, “Consider It Done” covers the “how to” of more than 200, some useful and some irrelevant but interesting, tricky tasks.

A few tips were particularly senior worthy. For instance, I read with interest her “How to teach your elderly relative to be computer savvy,” because although I have had to learn to use the computer for business purposes and find it extremely useful, in doing anything much past basic, I’m a complete dud.

When I call on son Mike, the family expert, unless it is a true emergency, he will remark with some exasperation, “Mom, I’ve explained that to you, already” or equally discouraging, “Read the instruction book, Mom.”

What the author suggests would take a truly devoted son or daughter a commitment of many hours of work to accomplish. “Introduce Mom to basic lingo, quick lessons on the anatomy of a web page, home page, hyperlinks, browser windows, back buttons, search engines and adjusting text size so she doesn’t strain her eyes. (Incidentally, why if a person is a slow learner, are they always assumed to be “she”?)

The author continues by recommending that the helper also spend time practicing e-mail and web searches together. I thought the most realistic suggestion was to sign Mom up and pay for “Go to My PC Account,” which provides 24/7 customer support including training videos.

In the List Department, Subotky’s “How to Get Things Done” is right on target. Since the human brain can’t remember more than five to seven things in short-term memory, you need to write a to-do list in a notebook; not on the back of the envelope for the phone bill.

If you are not the notebook type, a digital to-do list is OK, but just be sure it is easily accessible. It is very important to include the next steps on your list. There is always a next step that needs to be taken and that is where many of us fail. Equally important is to give every task a deadline and to set aside a time every day to review your list. (For me, morning works best. If I look at my list before going to bed, I can’t fall asleep from worrying about what I have to do). Finally, reward yourself when you complete difficult tasks.

Although “Consider It Done” definitely holds your interest, I found that too many solutions involve gross exaggeration or even downright lying. For example, the advice about getting the best seat on an airline suggests you travel with crutches or tell the booking agent that you will be traveling with a small child and then leave the “imaginary tyke” at home at the last minute.

I felt the same about advice on how to pretend you follow the TV show all your friends talk about. If I have to look at a website featuring weekly recaps of shows that I have no interest in seeing in order to keep a friendship, there’s something wrong with the basis for those friendships. Anyway, who wants friends whose major conversation is about TV shows? I did, however, approve the author’s advice to the menfolk on “How to Get Your Wife to Let You Watch the Game in Peace.”

It is best to have a group of friends over so she knows this is a major event, but don’t expect her to do shopping and cooking; that’s your job. Also, treat her to something that she will enjoy, like a manicure or spa treatment so that she doesn’t even have to be around. Touchdown!

Despite the aforementioned drawback, “Consider It Done” is a sometimes useful, but always entertaining, read.

Contact Jean Cherni, founder of the retirement advisory service, Senior Living Solutions, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds at Hotchkiss Grove, Branford 06405.

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