I come from a long line of clock- and calendar-watchers. It has always been stressed to me that organization is a must and one of the best tools to avoid stress is to have a well considered plan. From early on, I learned to become super organized! The skills I learned early in life have really helped – especially when managing the social, sport and school schedules for my four very active children.
Years ago, I watched my dad colour-in a huge calendar he then had sandwiched between the layers of glass that made his desk. That was one of the most impactful activities I ever witnessed. Each colour represented a particular activity – primarily his travels to different divisions within the company he ran. Heading up a business with so many moving parts it was important for him to have a broad view of his year. Normally my year runs from September through June with summer break in-between calendars. Now that I’ve started a new business it’s time to map out my year to coincide with my desires – and familiar accounting quarters!
I went over to Calendar Labs and ran off a one-page full year calendar with small boxes for dates to map my year – a colourful overview. I also ran off a 12-page full year calendar to put in more specific activities which I’ll get to later. Then I pulled out a package of my favourite Staedtler markers and then I got to the fun work of mapping out the logistics of 2015!
This calendar was created purely for overview purposes. It was tremendously therapeutic. Instead of dealing with the more tedious details of my day-to-day plans, the never ending list and inevitable extinguishing of fires, it gave me a chance to really consider all the moving parts in my life and prioritize what is important. I had to get still. I had to get quiet. I had to slow the constant crazy that resides in my head. It was like meditation with markers. Whenever I got distracted or thought of too many things at once, I sat back, closed my eyes took a deep breath in – 2 – 3 and then out – 2 – 3 and repeated as needed.
Now that I have a platform that resonates in me I need a consistent focus on my message, my goals, my plans. I enjoyed this process and it will become part of my practice. In business terms, I’ll revisit and make adjustments once per quarter (13 weeks/3 months) though it is nice to have a year plan mapped out.
My priorities are simple:
- Family Holidays & Events
- Canyon Ranch Tucson
- Desire Map Workshop Dates
- The Next Chapter Studio Workshop Dates
- Desire Map & NCS Retreats
- More (always more!) Coaching Training Courses
It is nice to have a big-picture perspective. It provides me with the context I need to keep my dreams, indeed, goals with soul, directly in front of me! I especially enjoyed the creative, almost meditative, process.
What do you do to keep yourself focused and on-track?
