Three Steps to Accomplishing your Goals: Change, Perservance and Victory

So, I have been thinking a lot this week about change, perseverance and victory.

I am coming to the end of a very long organizing project with a client and am in awe of her transformation over the past year.     I have learned a lot from her and her ability to make decisions when it was not easy.   To keep going when she did not “feel” like it and to see her standing taller and stronger embracing the victory of a long, often emotionally and physically difficult project.

Here is what I have learned from my clients, my experience and life in general.

Change

 

It is hard!   Even when the thought of change excites you, stepping out of your comfort zone is difficult emotionally and physically. 

  

As someone who has had a lot of change, some of which I could have done without, there is always something to be learned, something that can be used for our benefit.  Our mindset often determines whether or not it is a positive or a negative.   

Are you a jam side up or a jam side down person?  

We do have a choice in how we perceive adversity and change.

Perseverance

 

This is where we succeed or stand still.   One of the key things that make my life successful is that I do not give up.   

That is not to say have never had moments where I pulled the blankets over my head and sucked my thumb for a period of time, because I have.  There are time in life where you are just banged up and need to recoup but the difference is, do you let  those bashed up, banged up moments define you or do you get back out of bed, hike up your big girl panties, and go kick some “honey buns”.    

Forward moments and stickability (not sure that is even a word but I like it) are huge factors in the success of any project, organizing or otherwise.   It is not about feelings.   How we “feel” should not be the measure on whether or not we “do”.   

“I do not feel like getting out of bed today, I do not feel like feeding the kids nutritious food today, I do not feel like doing the laundry” These feeling will not move you toward victory - they have no part to play in a successful life.

Victory

 

The embracing of change, the ability to preserve, the steady forward progression is what leads us to the ultimate goal.   My client has been working on her project for over a year, it has not been a race but the steady forward progress that has led to enormous changes Whether an organizing project, a project at the office, or a huge life goal, my clients, and my life experiences, have all taught me that we can be and do anything we envision.

By no longer letting our feelings rule, by taking on step at a time and by focusing on the ultimate goal you will achieve success and “get ‘er done”.

If you need assistance in coping with change we can help you developing systems and processes to move you forward to victory please contact us for a complimentary 20 minute discussion.

 All photos are royalty free from http://www.sxc.hu

One Day, One Focus™ Menu Prep and Batch Cooking

Most of you know by now that I do most of my cooking in bulk.  For me, I find it works best to spend one day, with one focus, and get the job done.  

Sunday, after attending an early morning meeting, then heading to church with the fam, it was time to get cooking.  

Roy and I headed off to our local Farm Boy Grocer to get the fixin’s for the week.  By 2 pm we were home and it was time to wash the produce, slice and dice the veggies and get crackin’. 

By 8 pm we had eaten our dinner, food for the week was prepped, all the dishes were washed and the bonus is I  don't need to think about what to serve for dinner again for another week!  Maybe longer given we have stocked the freezer at the same time. 

 So, in just six hours (which included eating our family meal) spending One day, One focus™, yielded:

• A crockpot full of beef and veggie stew.   Frozen into family sized and individual portions.

• Oven Roasted Kale Chips for the week of snacks.

• Roasted Chickpeas for grab and go snacks or to add to salads.

• A fridge full of cut peppers, carrots and celery for snacks and lunches.

• Fruit washed and put in bowls for easy grab and go snack.

• Six huge cooked chicken breasts ready to add to the top pastas or salads  (one breast will feed 2-3 people).   I wrapped each cooked chicken breast individually so we can quickly grab, thaw and add to our meal.

• A pot of spaghetti sauce which was frozen into both individual and family sized portions.

• 6 Burger patties made and wrapped individually & frozen for later in the week.

• A pot of veggie soup that was frozen in individual servings for lunches or a snack

• A stir fry for dinner that evening

• Green juice for moi (the rest of the family thinks this is a little whacked)

Intense periods of focus result in major results!

If you need assistance with menu planning, time management or simply strategies to achieve the ability to have the opportunity for One Day, One Focus™ opportunities in your life.   Book an appointment with us, either in person or virtually – we can help you find more time in your life.   Visit our website at www.adventuresinorganizing.ca

Is Your Day Planner Friend or Foe? 10 Quick & Simple Tips to Effective Productivity

Last week I received my 2014 planner in the mail.  I do not know about you but one of my favourite things to do is crack open my new planner each year and begin mapping out all the important dates and events.   

In 2014 my eldest daughter Jasmine will be getting married, I need to block the week before her wedding of to help with last minute details, and I need to block the week after off for what I anticipate will be much needed “me” time.

 

A couple of years ago I gave a talk at a woman’s retreat and was asked to come up with one word that spoke to where I was at in my journey.  The word I chose was “Content" my life was in a state of peace and I was completely content.    Having to come up with one word was a challenge but it something I have adopted each year since.  

 Last year it was "Adventure" and my word for 2014 my word is: "Create".    

The word goes at the very beginning of my planner to remind me over my overall goal.

 Here are a few tips for was to maximize your planner usage and ensure that if is being used effectively

1.     Take it everywhere, put everything it and refer to it multiple times per day.   It will not work if you do not open it, read it and use it.

2.     When mail comes in the door, write bill payment dates, write appointments, and invitations dates into your planner

3.    Don’t stop there!  Put addresses, contact names and phone numbers into the planner as well.

4.    Stop the “sticky note insanity”.    Gather all your “sticky notes” and put the details into your planner. 

5.   Keep all your notes, phone details and comments in your planner – if you need to call someone back in a week, write in your planner.    If you are just too in love with your post it’s, use them in your planner.   Eg…if “call John on Tues 27 555-5555 “is the post it not and John was not in, make a note on the 27^th that you called and move the post it to the 29^th in your planner to try again.

6.    Add your grocery and shopping lists to your planner.

7.    Contact information – keep client numbers in your planner.   If you are stuck in traffic and running late, you want to be able to let them know.

8.    Use colour to chunk out and separate activities.   I always highlight my categories in colour.   An example would be…client bookings in “green”, family in “orange”, social media activities in “purple”, and networking events in “pink” and bills to pay in “red”.       At a glance I can see what is happening in my week and the ratio of family to work time.   It helps me keep my priorities in line.

9.    Have a way for your family to know what is happening with your calendar.   Online calendars can be shared.  I use a paper calendar for all of my appointments, and transfer the details to a family wall calendar at home.    I have an online calendar my clients and family can take a peek at to see what time slots remain open.   The kids have actually booked me through my client booking system on occasion to make a point if I have been working too much.

10.                     Let’s go back to #1!   If you do not use it, it will not work for you.   Develop the habit of checking, re-checking and adding to your calendar.

If you would like assistance ensuring you are making the most of your time, space and information, please contact us today for a complimentary phone conversation to see how we can help.    I look forward to hearing from you.    Bless others with your abundance, Jennifer