I find it really valuable to come up with a guiding word every new year. This year’s word is ACTIVE. I want to focus this year on taking the more active option in any given situation. I’m looking to feel more nimble, less stiff, and all around more vital
Tagged with: goals, planning, resolutions
I saw on meme on Facebook late last year that spoke to me. I copied down the words onto a Post-it Note® and put it on my bulletin board. I thought I’d share that note with you today:
Tagged with: goals, inspiration
After feeling off the rails for a couple of weeks, I crave getting back on track. Getting back to daily routines and keeping a solid task list will be a huge help, I know.
Tagged with: goals, new year, routines, time management
This year, my word is Space. I wanted added space in my physical surroundings, my brain and my schedule. I think this will translate in to committing to less, buying less and letting go of more. It feels right for me this year.
Tagged with: goals, planning, resolutions
Last month, my podcast co-host and I hopped on Zoom and created our vision boards together, which was really fun. It took only an hour, thanks to this terrific video that I found on YouTube about using Canvas and Pinterest to make it to create a vision board.
Tagged with: getting to good enough, goals, shannon wilkinson, vision boards
Why do I take the time and effort to come with a Word of the Year? (It’s not usually as easy to come up with one as it was this year.) A Word of the Year serves as a filter through which I make decisions throughout the year. It helps keep me on track. It’s my North Star.
Tagged with: goals, planning, resolutions
My word of the year for 2021 is ease. I don’t think I’ve ever had a more appropriate word. I’ve set the intention of trying to build more ease into my life and also use ease as a parameter around which I make decisions. For this particular time in my life it feels great.
Tagged with: ease, goals, planning, resolutions
I think we can all agree that 2020 had more than its share of challenges. It will go down in history as one of the worst years of most people’s lives, I think. But I do think it’s important to take note of the good things that happened on both a large and small scale.
Tagged with: accomplishments, goals, gratitude
Every year for the past decade or so, I take a day this time of year to reflect on the past year and plan the coming year. I call it my personal retreat. (Here’s the post I wrote in 2017 about my retreat). Before this year, I would go from place to place around town (coffee shops, the library, the botanical garden, the floatation tank) for various of my planning. It was solitary and it was fabulous.
Every year during end-of-the-year planning time, I select a word of the year. I typically use Christine Kane’s Your Word of the Year Discovery Tool but this year I used the Power Sheets Intentional Goal Planner from Lara Casey of Cultivate Your Life to help me set my 2020 goals and decide on a word of the year.
Tagged with: goals, planning, resolutions
I’m deep into thinking about my 2020 goals. There’s something about a year that ends in zero that makes it feel extra important. Maybe it’s because we’re starting a new decade, The Twenties. (It’s so bizarre that soon The Twenties will have nothing to do with flappers.) I love the process of setting goals for the new year and I really enjoy taking a whole day to work on my goals. This year, like last year, my big retreat day is December 26. I can’t wait!
Tagged with: goals, organizing resources, podcast, shannon wilkinson
On November 29, I finished writing a novel. Every five years since 2004, I’ve participated in National Novel Writing Month and each of those years I’ve succeeded in writing a 50,000-word novel in 30 days or fewer. It felt great to finish. I was very busy with client work this November, so writing my novel required me to get up an hour early to squeeze in my words and I was ready to sleep in!
Tagged with: deadlines, goals, nanowrimo, productivity, writing
I first wrote this post on October 29, 2009, when I was about to embark on my second attempt to write a novel in a month as part of National Novel Writing Month. I repeated it on October 31, 2014, when I wrote a third novel. It’s clearly a pattern that every five years I write a novel (none of which have barely been re-read, let alone published), so I’m gearing up for my fourth attempt, starting next week.
Tagged with: deadlines, goals, nanowrimo, worth repeating, writing
On Monday, I reposted a 2009 post about the patchwork quilt I started knitting ten years ago. It took me two years to finish knitting the 63 squares. A year later, with the help of friends, I figured out a pretty layout for the squares and seamed them together. I started a knitting a binding around the edge. And that’s where the project stalled.
Tagged with: city sewing room, goals, help, knitting, learn to knit afghan, worth repeating
I enjoy taking stock of the year that has just passed as I make plans and set goals for the coming year. Sometimes, I’ll post a highlight reel blog post here. I see that it’s been four years since my last highlight reel. So I thought I’d take a few minutes to share one this year.
Tagged with: accomplishments, goals, gratitude
This is the time of year that many of us start thinking about revisiting the goals we set for this year and setting goals for the coming year. I love this process and really enjoy taking a whole day to work on my goals. This year, my big retreat day is December 26. Can’t wait!
Tagged with: goals, organizing resources, podcast, shannon wilkinson
Tagged with: deadlines, goals, nanowrimo, productivity, worth repeating, writing
I love this week between Christmas and January 1. I’ve always been inspired to organize and plan during this special week. Yesterday I took a whole day to focus on my goals for the coming year. I call it a personal retreat.
In order to stay focused on this, I knew I needed to get out of the house. So I planned a little itinerary, so I could shift locations as I shifted my planning focus or activity.
Today I’m taking some inspiration from a blog post I wrote almost three years ago. I wish I could tell you that my bureau has only three things on it today, but the truth is there’s a little bit of clutter. This weekend I’m going to clear it off and get it back to the state that is pictured! Then I’m sure it will be easier for me to keep it clear.
Tagged with: clean bureau, clean desk, decluttering, goals, habits, routines, worth repeating
A few years ago, Shannon Wilkinson and I teamed up to teach a teleclass on how to actually do the stuff you set out to do every year. We shared the reasons resolutions don’t work, and more importantly, we talked about how to change that. We gave tips and strategies and guided participants through helpful exercises so they experienced a new way of approaching their resolutions and goals.
Tagged with: goals, habits, resolutions, shannon wilkinson
On Monday, I reposted a 2009 post about the patchwork quilt I started knitting ten years ago. It took me two years to finish knitting the 63 squares. A year later, with the help of friends, I figured out a pretty layout for the squares and seamed them together. I started a knitting a binding around the edge. And that’s where the project stalled.
Tagged with: city sewing room, goals, help, knitting, learn to knit afghan
This post was originally published on July 9, 2009. It came to mind because this weekend, when the afghan in question was actually finished. That’s right, seven years later. Check back on Thursday for a post about that, complete with photos of the finished blanket. And don’t let the seven year delay detract from the message of this post!
It’s the rare knitter who enjoys the finishing aspects of their knitting projects. That’s the weaving in of ends, the blocking (soaking or steaming the knit fabric to size), the seaming.
Tagged with: goals, knitting, knitting olympics, learn to knit afghan, worth repeating
2015 was a challenging year for me personally, with more loss than I’ve ever experienced, along with family health issues and challenges. Thankfully, my business didn’t suffer much from the personal challenges.
Tagged with: accomplishments, goals, gratitude
As I mentioned here before, my amazing friend and life coach Shannon Wilkinson is coming to St. Louis in mid-March and we’re putting on a fun in-person workshop called Get Back on Track on Saturday, March 14.
Tagged with: empowerment, events, goals, products, shannon wilkinson, teleclasses
I’m very excited to be offering a special in-person workshop with my friend and frequent collaborator, the fabulous life coach Shannon Wilkinson.
Tagged with: events, goals, shannon wilkinson, speaking
A few years ago, Shannon Wilkinson and I teamed up to teach a teleclass on how to actually do the stuff you set out to do every year. We shared the reasons resolutions don’t work, and more importantly, we talked about how to change that. We gave tips and strategies and guided participants through helpful exercises so they experienced a new way of approaching their resolutions and goals.
Tagged with: goals, habits, resolutions, shannon wilkinson
My favorite week of the year is the week between Christmas and New Year’s. I love taking stock of the year just past and planning ahead to the coming year. I also like creating a little order and just sort of getting my ducks in a row during a week where most of the world isn’t doing much work (and therefore I have time at home).
Tagged with: accomplishments, goals, gratitude
I try to make a vision board every year. I love the visual reminder of my goals for the upcoming year and I’d like to think that by creating one, I’m inviting the Law of Attraction to go to work for me.
Tagged with: goals, vision boards
Yesterday, I completed the novel I was writing for National Novel Writing Month. I had 30 days to write a 50,000 word novel. I had no doubt I would finish the novel in time—this is the 3rd one I’ve written over the last ten years, so I knew I had it in me. (I do it in five-year increments.) But it still feels really good.
Tagged with: deadlines, goals, nanowrimo, productivity, writing
As I wrote on Friday, I’m writing a novel this month. This is my third novel. I do it for the fun of the challenge.
When I was writing my 1700 words this morning, I found myself doubting the quality of my work. Was this plot stupid? Was the writing sophisticated enough? Is this a waste of time? Then I realized it didn’t matter. What’s important here is that I meet my goal and write 50,000 words in 30 days. The quality of the words is neither here nor there.
Tagged with: goals, perfectionism, writing
I published the post below on October 29, 2009, when I was about to start my second novel as part of National Novel Writing Month. I did complete that novel in a month (and have yet to read it again). I also wrote one in 2004. Since my first two were five years apart, and five years has elapsed since the second one, I decided to go for it again. I have my spreadsheet ready and I’ve been thinking about plot points. On Saturday, November 1, I’ll write my first 1667 words (or more).
Tagged with: deadlines, goals, nanowrimo, worth repeating, writing
If you click on the clean bureau tag to left on this blog, you’ll see that pretty much every year one of my goals is to put my clothes away properly at night and keep the top of the bureau clear.
Tagged with: clean bureau, clean desk, decluttering, goals, habits, routines
I’m a natural-born couch potato and I struggle with getting myself to get adequate exercise. I’m not someone who craves it or enjoys it, but I do appreciate that it’s important.
Last month, I took Shannon Wilkinson’s Change Artistry: Get Active group coaching program and it was hugely helpful in changing my mindset about exercise. It now feels much less like drudgery and I’m feeling very good about the exercise I’m getting.
Tagged with: exercise, fitbit, goals, shannon wilkinson, technology
It’s January 10. How are the resolutions you sent working out for you? If you need a little extra support, you can still get $5 off Why Resolutions Don’t Work—And How to Get What You Want Anyway, the kit created by Shannon Wilkinson (my Declutter Happy Hour partner) and me.
Tagged with: goals, habits, resolutions, shannon wilkinson
Taking stock of the year that’s just finished can be an important part of planning the year ahead. 2013 was an exemplary year for me, so I’ve had a good time creating this year’s highlight reel. (Here’s 2012’s version.)
Tagged with: accomplishments, goals, gratitude
A few years ago, Shannon Wilkinson and I teamed up to teach a teleclass on how to actually do the stuff you set out to do every year. We shared the reasons resolutions don’t work, and more importantly, we talked about how to change that. We gave tips and strategies and guided participants through helpful exercises so they experienced a new way of approaching their resolutions and goals.
Tagged with: goals, habits, resolutions, shannon wilkinson
For me, the start of a new year is a great time to take stock and figure out which new habits I’d like to create. For the last couple of years, I’ve written blog posts this time of year detailing the habits I want to create. (I like thinking in terms of habits, rather than resolutions.)
Tagged with: clean bureau, goals, habits, knitting, resolutions
I’m very goal-oriented, but I have to admit I’ve never taken the time to create a bucket list. Today, I read an article on Fast Company’s website called How Creating a Better Bucket List Becomes a Blueprint for Living Your Best Life-. It made me want to take some time out and really think about such a list.
Tagged with: bucket list, fast company, goals
It’s the last day of the year and I’m putting the finishing touches on my goals for 2013. A big part of the goal-setting process for me is reviewing accomplishments of the past year. It can be easy to focus on what one didn’t accomplish last year (a side effect of setting high goals), but it’s smart to take into account the good things.
Tagged with: accomplishments, goals, gratitude
I receive coach Christine Kane’s weekly e-zine and from time to time I read an article that I think is so good I reprint it here (with permission, of course). I read the article I’m reprinting today early this morning and it proved to be really thought provoking. I downloaded the Word of the Year Discovery Tool and quickly honed in on a word that I think will be my driving force in 2013. (More on that in a future post.) I hope you have as much fun with this tool as I have!
Tagged with: christine kane, goals, resolutions
I’m all about goal setting. And I love doing it this time of year. This week and next, I’m working on taking stock of the year, seeing how well I did with the goals I set last year, and setting new ones for the coming year. I create measurable business-related goals.
Tagged with: clean bureau, email, goals, habits, resolutions, shannon wilkinson
I’ve been working out at a fitness center lately and am starting to establish a routine there. One of the things I was thinking about today as I used the elliptical machine is how important it is for me to have small goals on my way to larger ones.
Everyone seems to hold up balance as an ideal. Like having a balanced life is something we should all want. Heck, even the cork in a bottle of Red Rock Winery wine I drank a couple of weeks ago espoused balance.
I’m not so keen on New Year’s Resolutions. I think we tend to make them when we get caught up in the hopeful feelings that a fresh, new year brings. But I think they’re frequently not realistic. And we don’t give them enough time. And when one goes by the wayside, we give up hope on all of them.
Tagged with: aby garvey, clean bureau, clean desk, email, goals, habits, resolutions, shannon wilkinson
When I started Peace of Mind Organizing in 2005, I wasn’t afraid of investing in it. Organizing is a fairly low-overhead business, but I was interested in getting lots of training and benefitting from attending educational conferences with my peers. A look at my credentials page can give you an idea of how I spent money on my business and professional development.
Tagged with: bankrate, debt, goals, money, shannon wilkinson
It’s funny how the turn of the calendar page to a new year makes people want to change their ways and resolve to behave differently. It’s certainly true of me. While I haven’t set any resolutions, per se, I do set goals and I do try to create new habits.
Tagged with: goals, products, routines, shannon wilkinson
On this day last year, I posted my highlight reel for 2009. For me, it’s a fun way to reflect on the past year (and remind me a year later what went down), so I’m trying it again for 2010.
Tagged with: accomplishments, goals, gratitude
Where are you on the New Year’s Resolution Continuum?
Tagged with: declutter happy hour, empowerment, goals, products, shannon wilkinson, teleclasses
Do you have a dream? Something you’re passionate about but you don’t think you can ever achieve? Michael Neill wants to help you achieve that goal next month.
Tagged with: goals, michael neill
Back in the days I was a pet writer and wrote about dog training, I wrote repeatedly on the effectiveness of rewards over punishment.
Why, then, am I a little surprised that my recent experiment in using the threat of punishment to get me to do something wasn’t a resounding success?
Tagged with: exercise, goals, punishment, rewards, stickk.com
Three weeks ago, I signed up for stickK.com, a website that helps you keep goals and commitments by asking you to pledge to pay money if you don’t do what you say you’ll do. I blogged about it shortly after I joined.
Tagged with: exercise, goals, stickk.com
I recently learned about stickK.com. (In fact, I learned about it on the CBS Sunday Morning episode I blogged about on Monday.)
Tagged with: exercise, goals, stickk.com
Mark Forster is my time management guru. As I’ve blogged about before, I loved his book, Do It Tomorrow and Other Secrets of Time Management
Tagged with: autofocus, balance, control, desk, empowerment, focus, goals, mark forster, priorities, productivity, task management, time management, to-do list
January is almost over (already). As I’ve blogged about before, for the last couple of years I’ve been trying to add one big habit per year that will help me be happier and more productive. In 2008, it was clearing my desk at the end of the workday. In 2009 it was whittling my email inbox down to 15 or fewer messages every day. I’m going gangbusters on both of those.
Tagged with: declutter happy hour, empowerment, goals, habits, routines, shannon wilkinson, teleclasses, telephone coaching
Where are you on the New Year’s Resolution Continuum?
Tagged with: declutter happy hour, empowerment, goals, shannon wilkinson, teleclasses, telephone coaching
I just got finished reading through my blog posts for 2009, in an effort to put together a post about my favorite blog posts of the year. (That’ll come later in the week.)
Tagged with: blogging, blogs, cats, encouragement, goals, twitter
I finished my novel on Friday, November 27, three days early. I wrote a few hundred words past the 50,000-word goal. And my book had an actual plot that came to a graceful conclusion.
Tagged with: goals, nanowrimo, productivity, time management
…which explains why the blog writing has dropped off a little. I’m very excited that I’ve been able to work on my novel-in-a-month piece of fiction each day since November 1.
Tagged with: deadlines, declutter happy hour, decluttering, goals, nanowrimo, shannon wilkinson, writing
National Novel Writing Month is about to start and I’m on board. NaNoWriMo is a worldwide event where people commit to writing a 50,000-word novel during the month of November. (As a point of reference, Catcher in the Rye is about 50,000 words.)
I just love spending time with professional organizers. I love going to the NAPO conference and the conference of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization, which I’ll be attending in just a few weeks. They’re a great way to meet colleagues and become inspired, excited and motivated.
Tagged with: aapo, australia, goals, wendy davie
It’s the rare knitter who enjoys the finishing aspects of their knitting projects. That’s the weaving in of ends, the seaming, the blocking (soaking or steaming the knit fabric to size).
Tagged with: goals, knitting, knitting olympics, learn to knit afghan
This is a guest post of sorts, from the fabulous Christine Kane, who helps people achieve their dreams. I’m reprinting it, with permission, from her newsletter. It arrived in my mailbox today and I thought it was so great I’d share it immediately. Incidentally, I wish I’d thought of the acronym CRAP for Clutter Removal Action Process!
Tagged with: christine kane, goals, procrastination, productivity
I heard Wendy Davie speak at the NAPO Chicago Midwest Conference and Expo in November. Her talk, “Forward Momentum: How to Take Your Organizing Business from OK to Awesome, Fast,” was one of the highlights of the conference for me.
Tagged with: big picture, encouragement, goals, napo chicago, wendy davie
As I posted a week ago, I love the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Traditionally, it’s the week that I get my ducks in a row, plan for the coming year and basically get my act together.
Tagged with: goals, holidays, jennifer hofmann, motivation, planning, spa day
Nevertheless I love this time of year. In particular, I love the week between Christmas and New Year’s. First, that week is bookended by two days off, which is fabulous. And in between, no one really expects anyone to get anything done. Free of expectations of others, it’s time I can use any way I want. I’ve always used it as a time to get my ducks in a row. It comes right before the new year, a time ripe for goal setting, good intentions, and new beginnings.
I have to update you on my progress with the Knitting Olympics over at Ravelry which is officially known as the Ravelympics. The idea is that you commit to knitting something you consider a challenge during the time of the Summer Olympics. I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to achieve with some focused effort.
Tagged with: goals, knitting olympics, lace, learn to knit afghan, procrastination
Most of my clients have a to-do list for organizing tasks. (Some clients can’t figure out where to start, but we take care of that in the first session.) At the end of a hands-on organizing session, we talk about what they plan to do between sessions to further their goals.
Tagged with: goals, mark forster, obstacles, productivity
Back at the beginning of 2008, I blogged about my constant craving for order as reflected in my January 1 journal entries year after year
Tagged with: clean desk, don't break the chain, goals, habits, new year, productivity
As I’ve written here before, I decided on January 1 that 2008 would be the year that I take control of my time-management issues. That day, I selected probably a half dozen time management books from my shelf, each one espousing a different philosophy. I thought I’d make a commitment to a single system and really try to adhere to it for a month or so.
Tagged with: balance, control, desk, empowerment, focus, goals, mark forster, priorities, productivity, time management
The habit I’ve been trying to instill with the Don’t Break the Chain method that I wrote about in a recent post is clearing my desktop at the end of the workday.
Tagged with: accountability, clean desk, decluttering, desk, don't break the chain, goals, habits, motivation, productivity, time management, workspace
As part of my new emphasis on time management this year, I started off the new year by checking out some productivity blogs. I came across this great post on the wonderful blog Lifehacker that introduced to me a concept that in just a few short days has really had an impact on me.
Tagged with: clean desk, don't break the chain, goals, habits, motivation, time management