Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Resolution or Bust!

2013 was so much better than I thought! I planned ahead but my life was interesting and FUN! I did new things and made some wonderful new friends.

I set down my resolutions last year and, as always I started them before the 31st. I just feel it takes the pressure off somehow.

I have gotten more valuable info from Southwest's Spirit magazine (http://www.spiritmag.com). I read an article that referenced this book, "It Works: The Famous Little Red Book That Makes Your Dreams Come True!" by RHJ. It is a quick read and has a good point. Write your goals down!

http://www.amazon.com/Works-Famous-Little-Makes-Dreams-ebook

I recently watched a video on You Tube about Time Management. The lovely young lady actually was telling the audience about her "virtual" daily time plan. Perhaps, because she is still young she can do this but I cannot. If I do not write it down it does not happen.

I keep my resolutions in my daily planner and I have my physical goals on my fridge. I also log my daily activities there too. It keeps me honest and motivated.

Make time for your resolutions - they are for you and it is so important to take care of you. If your goals were important enough to write down they are important enough to do!

Keep them realistic - I know I am not going to climb Everest this year but I can work up to running in a 10k ( one of my resolutions).

Sometimes I falter. I do not always succeed but if I try and I make progress then I am still in the game!

So, write those resolutions down and head into 2014 with the gusto and knowledge that you are on your way.

What is your main resolution for 2014?

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Time - It Is All Yours

The knocking on your door is TIME. He comes in and pretends he cannot wait, he cannot be managed and he cannot be told what to do. Absolutely NOT true!

As the seconds tick down for 2013 and you begin to think and plan for 2014 remember to plan your time.

I have two retail businesses that keep me VERY busy and the holiday season is particularly bananas!

Disney's Despicable Me

But, this year I decided it was high time my family - ex and his clan included - got together for our first Christmas Eve together. I knew I would be taxing myself more but I was determined to pull this off!

I began by making a list of all the things that I needed to do to make this happen. Then I put a date for completing all the separate tasks. I even broke down the shopping list into different days. There was no reason I couldn't buy the crackers etc. a week before the meat! On Christmas Eve all I had left to do was put in a few hours of work on my own businesses and then put food out on the table. I was the MOST relaxed I have ever been. Why? Because I took an extra moment to plan out my time, MY time. I made sure I created a space in my days for my business, for my family and for me.

I hear quite often, "but, I don't have time." We ALL have the same amount.

"Time is an illusion."
Albert Einstein

Time can be like a child, busy, non stop, demanding and tiring. But, it can also be a wonderful gift, full of good things and fun.

How you use your time is key and the first step is caring for it. "You can't manage time you can only manage your time." Stever Robbins ( one of his videos is linked below)

Remember that - your schedule is YOURS! You control it and can change it when you want to. That is key - things can change and you can be ready for those if you know ahead of time how you are managing all the elements in your life.

I was introduced to the Franklin-Covey system (http://franklinplanner.com) years ago and the system works for me. I take time each day to set my schedule and tasks. Where I used to have a paper type planner I carried around I now have a version on my iPad and iPhone that is wonderful. But, what works for one person does not work for another. The important thing is to take time to make time your way.