Story
When it comes to keeping track of my days I am mostly a paper girl. Even though I have made friends with technology on many fronts, there is still a partial holdout in my world when it comes to calendars. I’m happiest when there are pen and paper in my hand. I’m can see where the time wants to go and what must happen as I try to keep life neat and tidy.
I waver between a simple Moleskine notebook, a decked out paper planner with tabs, paperclips, beautiful pages, and my sweet, sparkly iPhone! Usually, a combination works best for me.
It’s seriously important we keep track of things. Calendars minimize the possibility we of losing friends, random children or important things in the nooks and crannies of our life.
We ask ourselves where did the time/day/year .. (you fill in the blank) go? Last year was a jumble of craziness for our family and I am pretty sure someone ferried away more than a few of my allotted days. Reflecting back it seems January 2018 was just yesterday. So much has happened in the last 12 months.
Photo by Jake weirick on Unsplash
Make Moments Count
We need to own our story and love ourselves enough to change direction when needed. Yesterday may have not been your favorite, but thankfully there is tomorrow and you can begin again.
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:23 NLT
I read these words with hope knowing tomorrow is not about us but in spite of us and it is all about our Abba Father… the one who places stars in the sky gives to each human being the opportunity to start over.
In the spirit of new beginnings and because I am crazy in love with new possibilities …here are a few ideas to make more of your moments count. You are awesome, and life is much too short to stay stuck.
- Choose accountability. Connect with others who are on the same journey as you. Push through discouragement and live all in.
- Find tools YOU love. Paper, digital, a combo of both – your call! Last year I was using the Full Focus Planner and loved it. This year I am back to using a Franklin Planner.
- Go Big. Several big, audacious, impossible without God kind of goals are on my calendar in 2019. I am slightly terrified but am choosing to step into new places no matter my pounding heart. I see the year more than half over and I wonder if I will meet those goals. But, I am not giving in or quitting. Sometimes that is a “go big” goal all by itself.
- Be Brave. If your goal requires bravery, it’s a good one! Go for it!
- Get Help. Life is better done together. We need others to encourage, celebrate our ups and downs and help us make change happen from the inside out. (If you want to talk about coaching together – let me know)
- Do it Different. Promise yourself you will be a priority instead of a back burner project. It’s uncomfortable when you declare “I am important enough” but you ARE worth it.
When we make the choice to live the story we want our lives to tell and own the story we are living, we change the world one moment at a time.
Is owning your story hard? What could you do differently to live a better story?
Blessings & Giant Hugs-
Well stated!
For the past 60 years, I have spent time end of the year
1. reflecting on history and what it took to get there.
2. deciding if I want to increase or decrease
3. Do the math to show what actions were needed to accomplish XYZ.
Then throw out the NEW end of next year Goals.
Experience has proved it only takes a small number of new daily tasks to operate, along with the routine of life.
So each evening as I give thanks and reflect on the Day I write down one or two tasks for the following day.
Upon arising and giving thanks for the opportunity of being there immediately attack that which is needed to accomplish them.
That provides a sense of success every day, no stress and an abundant journey.
Eating Elephants for the past 6 decades has been fun.
step by step we eat those elephants at every place and stage of life. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Chuck!
Hi Nancy! I love your blog. I am doing Michael Hyatt’s Best Year Ever in 2015. Going slow and giving myself lots of grace. My word for this year is intentional. Peace and joy, friend.
Andrea … Great to hear from you..love your word… that is this focus of my life this year as well!
Blessings 🙂
You may not have accomplished your goals from last year, but you still did some some pretty incredible stuff! I love the idea of making promises to yourself instead of goals. Sometimes a change in verbiage can help us see our life story differently and motivate us.
I saw something yesterday on productivity in regard to the workplace, but I like the concept. They said to keep a productivity journal the same way you’d keep a food journal. Write down what you do and how much time you spend doing it so you can see where to make adjustments in your time for activities that really matter to you. You might enjoy the video: http://youtu.be/lHfjvYzr-3g
I look forward to seeing what story you write this year, sweet friend! 🙂 🙂
Kathy- Great idea.. the productivity journal. I have decided to use a paper planner this year and it will have places for journaling / notes and keeping track of the promises I have made to myself!
blessings