The Starting Gate

A Fresh Start. A new year gives us a starting place for new plans, new ways of doing things.  We keep the habits that have worked for us, improve where needed and envision new opportunities.

 

A fresh crisp planner sits in front of me.   No sticky notes, no dog-eared corners.  Clean crisp pages awaiting my busy life schedule.  I feel like a race horse at the starting gate.  Digging my feet in with the anticipation of a new race.

 

As I begin to enter my well thought out goals for 2018, I wonder if I have over reached.  In the light of a new day, they look so lofty and fear inspiring.  I begin to doubt myself.  I hold firm, pull myself together and boldly pick up a pen.  Writing them in pencil leaves them vulnerable to my weak moments.  I have thought them through.  I know that if I take them one step at a time, I can do this.

 

Like a marathon, we need to pace ourselves.  It takes time to learn new habits.  Focus on consistency, not the performance.  Don’t ask so much of yourself that you soon get discouraged and give up.  It’s easy to over do it if we focus on the big picture, but if we break down our goals, plan out the steps we can achieve great things.

 

Enjoy your new planner, new plans and new goals.  Let me know your experience with your new planner.  Am I the only one who gets excited by a fresh start?

 

Most of all – enjoy your life. Isn’t that what this is all about?

Season of Joy

Don’t let the Joy of the Season get lost in all your efforts to make it perfect. It’s easy to over schedule with all the invites and events that happen this time of year.

Be selective about what you say ‘yes’ to. Focus on family and close friends. It’s okay to buy cookies for a special occasion. Offer to pick up a bouquet of winter greenery for a dinner party instead of bringing a dish to pass.

Plan days to spend time with your family. Learn how to graciously say ‘no’ if you know it will be too much to add to your schedule. Tell friends you’re making family a priority this year. Who can argue with that!?!

Where to Start

 

Do you…

find yourself asking this question?

 

Are you overwhelmed by all the decisions and tasks you face everyday? We can accomplish great things, if we have a plan and follow it.

 

Easy for me to say – right? Together we can do this. This blog belongs to all of us. Your hopes and goals are important. By sharing with each other we can help each other to develop a plan that works for you.

 

I’ll be posting regularly to share my solutions. I look forward to your comments and ideas. Join me on Facebook and share in the fun. Yes, planning can be fun.

 

By making it fun, instead of a gruesome To-Do list, you’re more likely to keep track of things.  Finding colorful stickers and pictures that motivate you can really help you stay on track.  Just be sure they don’t take attention away from your obligations.

 

Planning is important, but don’t let it stop you from living life. I’ll talk to you again soon. Post a comment about your issues and solutions for planning below.