Posted in Coffee, Goals, Planning, Reflection, self-care

Embrace the Journey: My Self-Improvement Month

“Life is change, growth is optional. Choose wisely.”

Karen Kaiser Clark

September has arrived, and with it comes the opportunity to focus on growth, self-discovery, and positive change. As I bid farewell to the summer and welcome the autumn breeze, I’m excited to embark on a journey of self-improvement that’s uniquely me.

Embracing Self-Improvement: My Way
In a world that’s constantly evolving, one thing remains clear – the potential for self-improvement. My passion for planning, organizing, and self-care guides me through a month of meaningful transformations. As I navigate through this journey, I’m blending my love for beauty, planning, and self-care to create an elegant path toward growth.

Unlocking the Power of Planning
For me, planning goes beyond mere schedules and to-do lists. It’s about crafting a roadmap to my goals, dreams, and personal fulfillment. From a meticulously planned skincare routine to a well-structured day, planning is the cornerstone of intentional living.

Savoring Self-Care and Coffee Moments
Self-improvement isn’t solely about productivity; it’s about nurturing my well-being. With a cup of coffee in hand, I’m finding moments of reflection and indulgence in the things that bring me joy. These moments are the heart of self-care and the foundation for growth.

Creating Positive Change, One Step at a Time
September is my canvas for change, and I believe that progress is a journey, not a destination. I’m setting achievable goals, celebrating every milestone, and embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth. This journey is about creating a life that reflects my dreams and aspirations.

My Effect: A Beacon of Inspiration
In a month dedicated to self-improvement, I’m inspired to be a beacon of my own journey. The blend of beauty, planning prowess, and self-care wisdom I offer is a testament to the art of continual growth. As we navigate challenges and celebrate triumphs, I invite everyone to join me in embracing self-improvement and the journey of becoming the best versions of ourselves.

So, as I embrace Self-Improvement Month, I’m following a path that’s uniquely mine – a journey of planning, beauty, and self-care intertwined with the pursuit of becoming my best self. Let’s welcome September with open arms, as I lead the way in creating a life that’s as elegant and well-curated as my own persona. Here’s to self-improvement, growth, and the art of becoming! πŸŒŸπŸ“”πŸŒ·

Posted in Planning

Managing Mondays-Busy Days with Lofty Goals Await

This week is full of fun and I have a lot to do around all of it.

  • Live Music
  • Movie
  • Mother’s Day
  • Work
  • Appointments
  • Writing
  • Home Organization and Cleaning

Will I get it all done? I have a plan. And I decided to color code my days with Work in pink and Home in Green.

This is a new idea. With so much going on I thought the segregation would help my mind focus and fight the clutter. Let’s see how it works.

If nothing else I love the symmetry it lends to the design. This layout is using 100% Happy Planner brand products. Well, and a pen.

I love busy weeks yet when I start laying out the week I get a bit anxious. The events are non-negotiable. Time with friends at movies or live music shows are Aces to me. I live for moments that make memories. And I am well rested and camera ready. By the time Sunday comes around I will definitely love the fact that Mother’s Day means I get to take the day off. No chores from this Mom! And my son gave me a ticket to the live show on Sunday which will make the day the best ever. Ending a week eating at my favorite restaurant, enjoying live music that I love all on Mother’s Day means my blessings are truly overflowing.

With a week ending in so much joy I already feel motivated to rock this week at home and at work. I know I can get it all done and more.

Back to sipping my coffee before I tackle it all!

Posted in Family, Goals, Planning, Reflection

Managing Mondays-Mom Priorities

It is coffee time! Quiet time is so very precious to me. And this time at the beginning of every week as I sip coffee feels paramount to how the week can go. I take time to think on all that I need to do plus what I would like to do. It is my way of getting out of the bed on the right side.

The past few weeks have been a struggle in changing priorities and I have had to shift even more to remembering what matters most. This focus adds a perspective like no other. I want to ensure I balance Mom priorities over work priorities because the family needs that right now. It isn’t just about my schedule. It is more about being “present” in mind and heart more.

I spent most of my time sipping my first cup in a retrospective state and looked back on what did and did not go well over the past couple of weeks. I asked myself what I could do differently because I felt like I was being too hard on myself and others around me. I realized that my expectations were perhaps set too high or not communicated effectively which can cause conflict on the home front.

Setting my plan for this week I designed a motivational and functional week spread in my planner. I wanted to see reminders of what is really important at work so that I can keep the negative noise and nonsense from others in perspective. And in doing that I can avoid the negativity from seeping over into other aspects of life. Most importantly self care needs to be at the front of the train and not in the caboose as a back burner.

My spread is full of motivation and focus areas. It gives me permission to delegate nonsense to the back burner. I am reminding myself to be the servant leader by focusing on my team’s needs and being a positive in the storm. Recently I have had an opportunity to observe leaders who are in the trenches with their teams and leaders who stay back in the tent barking out orders and then hiding in the shelter waiting and watching. The latter leader style sometimes seeps negativity out beyond the team and affects the bigger goal. And it is simply not my style. So while I am in the trenches I want to remember to be positive and guide my crew to the best outcomes with encouragement, gratitude, and course corrections that take us along the journey to the finish line celebrating together.

This week I want to make sure that I am focusing on the behind the scenes planning that sets the stage for every act in the play my team is cast in so they can be stars. I want to ensure the setting is right, the props are in place, and that they know their lines.

At home, I want to keep the work from seeping in. I want to protect our time so that it is of such quality that we all feel accomplished and grateful.

These may seem lofty goals for the week but I don’t think so.

In any moment of negativity I plan to step outside of it and ask myself:

  • Am I the engineer on this train right now?
  • Is this helping any of my three focus areas?
  • Should this be back burner?
  • Will this seep beyond work?

Knowing the answers to these questions should guide me to the right energy level in the moment and maintain perspective.

At the end of the week I aim to have positive energy to tackle that garage with my family: A project that we never seem to get to with our conflicting schedules and energy levels.

Share your spreads for the week and share the why. I always want to understand others why.