Where has the time gone?

Watercolor Treble Clefs, circa 1992

This wasn’t turning into a reflective day but in researching something for our business I had to look up what week we were in for the year. Week 26, halfway through the year, 26 weeks left…

Obstacles

I know the first half of the year had tons of obstacles for us, we managed them and continue to power through.  As an obstacle arises I hear a voice from audios I’ve listened too – “Obstacles build posture”. So true to that statement, it makes me stop and actually learn from it and how to better handle the situation for next time.  Of course hoping there is no next time.  Seriously!

Accomplishments

Awaken The Giant Within by Tony Robbins

PHOTO: Awaken The Giant Within by Tony Robbins

I can’t really say I feel accomplished halfway through, I have so many things on my list that getting them all done by the end of the year will be a challenge in itself.  I sit here and laugh a bit because one of the goals was to read one book a month.  Awaken The Giant Within by Tony Robbins is kicking my butt I’m not into it, maybe because it’s speaking truth? It’s staring at me right now, which is why I laugh.

I know I have

  • reworked our main site
  • got this site up and running
  • I’m creating residual income opportunities
  • set a summer break schedule that is working
  • crafting more

I’m far from saying I’m feeling accomplished for everything but I’m also not beating myself up for not “achieving”.  The day is full of greatness as well as obstacles and like water I just flow with it.

*Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Planner vs Journaling

Composition notebook, Happy Planner & Full Focus Planner

In my last post I mentioned planners and journaling and how I have issues with both of those styles. Let’s chat about them for a bit.

The Corporate World

While being in the corporate world I heavily relied on my Franklin Covey Monarch binder system.  Everything was in this planner, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g: meeting, calls, work assignments, maybe a lunch.  I used it for 3 or 4 years with dedication. I planned the day before I left, looked at it in the morning to reassess priorities.

Once I was let go life changed, the need for this monstrous planner did not fit my lifestyle.  I had more time for building our businesses, volunteer at  school, crafting, lunches, networking and family time. Since I wanted to have all this going on I had to find time, productive time.

Journal Writing

I did a bit of research on journaling and thought this would be my ticket. Journaling provided me the ability to have a to-do list, keep track of various things like: reading, water intake, steps, meditating. THIS, however, was thought out and it just seemed so tedious that I didn’t even try. *sigh*

I’m press for time to do A – Z, I have no time to be designing! I know I have 168 Hours in a day and I would like to maximize that. Journaling seemed to take up a chunk so on we move to find something else.

Happy Planner calendar section

Happy Planner calendar section

Happy Planner

My next attempt was The Happy Planner by Me and My Big Ideas. I had seen it pop up in my Pinterest feed and I loved it! The Happy Planner had the ability to add pages when necessary, it had a calendar, I could be CREATIVE. I was in heaven. I created my own meal planner with grocery list, a sheet to write quotes when I would read books because writing in books is EVIL! A page that list my ideas for crafts because who needs Pinterest for that. I carried this everywhere and it grew and it grew. The calendar wasn’t as useful after a while since my schedule is flexible and ever changing, it eventually got abandoned.  The binder became too big for me to carry and it didn’t fit nicely in my purse. It became bulky and the pages we getting loose. Next.

Full Focus

Full Focus Planner

PHOTO: Full Focus Planner

In  comes the Full Focus Planner by Michael Hyatt. This planner is to be used on a quarterly basis which I thought was a great idea, who plans for the whole year?  Ok, I kinda do as one of our business has conferences every quarter and monthly trainings.  The video I saw was very intriguing as to how it was structured. The planner had pages for a to do list, time allocation, goals, achievements for the week, weekend plans and how to change things up. Lovely! I actually had to think about what I was actually doing. Structure to all my hustles was now here! Hallelujah!

Meh. I stopped using it after three months. I did learn that my days are repetitive with changing parts due to the types of hustles I’m doing.  My times are flexible to move components, so a 9-5 workday schedule doesn’t really work., half a page is dedicated to a 9-5 schedule.

As I write this piece I think I’ll revisit this planner.  I’ll watch more videos that are available and see what I can do to restructure my days.  There are components that I love and quarterly sounds about right for changes in lifestyle, likes and business items.

I’ll let you know in 90 days if I’ve continued with the Full Focus Planner or if I’ve moved on to something else.

Hustle #1

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.