I look pretty sheepish right about now.
Even as a dedicated Plannerd and planner blogger, I forget to use my planner sometimes - and that NEVER ends well.
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Using a Planner Successfully Every Single Day
Raise your hand if you ever forget to use your planner. Sometimes? Often? Yesterday?!?
I look pretty sheepish right about now.
Even as a dedicated Plannerd and planner blogger, I forget to use my planner sometimes - and that NEVER ends well.
I look pretty sheepish right about now.
Even as a dedicated Plannerd and planner blogger, I forget to use my planner sometimes - and that NEVER ends well.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
How to Use Your Planner Like a Household Notebook
If you have a planner, there's no reason to keep a separate notebook for household chores or big projects.
Monday, August 29, 2016
How to Use a Planner to Survive the Chaos of a Natural Disaster
If you aren't familiar with this blog, I mostly write about day planners. In fact, Giftie Etcetera has a pretty active Facebook group where we discuss getting and keeping our lives in order.
When my hometown in Louisiana flooded in a massive, 3-day rainstorm, the group kept talking about planners and order in general.
That is, they did until one member said that her house flooded and she was stuck. Her planner wasn't good enough for the to-do list that grows so long and massive after your home is completely ruined.
When my hometown in Louisiana flooded in a massive, 3-day rainstorm, the group kept talking about planners and order in general.
That is, they did until one member said that her house flooded and she was stuck. Her planner wasn't good enough for the to-do list that grows so long and massive after your home is completely ruined.
Monday, August 22, 2016
The First Page in Your Planner
Things have been crazy here in Louisiana. But in my planner, things have been pretty routine.
The system that I use on the first page of my planner gets a lot of credit for that routine in the midst of chaos.
The system that I use on the first page of my planner gets a lot of credit for that routine in the midst of chaos.
Monday, August 1, 2016
The Cleaning Schedule in Your Planner That Will Actually Work
When I was younger, I was a history teacher. I was obsessed with the colonization of America. I thought maybe, someday, we'll colonize the moon.
Well, I have now achieved greatness by doing something I've only ever dreamed of doing.
I've colonized my home...
Well, I have now achieved greatness by doing something I've only ever dreamed of doing.
I've colonized my home...
Monday, April 18, 2016
6 Ways to Use a Free Planner Printable - 12 Month Tracker
When I team up with Becky at Planner Fun to offer free printables and new ways to use them, I am rarely stumped.
Usually, my problem is limiting myself to 6 ways to use the printable.
Usually, my problem is limiting myself to 6 ways to use the printable.
Monday, April 4, 2016
Creating Focus With a New Set-up for My Planner Dashboard
I did a complete revamp of my inside front pocket and dashboard of my planner.
See how simple and boring it looks?
See how simple and boring it looks?
Friday, March 11, 2016
How to Use a FREE PLANNER PRINTABLE by Planner Fun
Time for Giftie Etcetera's monthly collaboration with Becky at Planner Fun, where we work together to provide you with a no-strings-attached free planner printable and some unique ways to use it!
Monday, February 22, 2016
What's Not on My Planner Page
***This post may contain affiliate links. See my "Disclaimer" link for additional details.***
I spend a lot of time at Giftie Etcetera talking about what is on my weekly and daily plan.
But what about what is NOT on my planner spread for the day?
I spend a lot of time at Giftie Etcetera talking about what is on my weekly and daily plan.
But what about what is NOT on my planner spread for the day?
Monday, February 1, 2016
Monday, January 18, 2016
Creating Planner Layouts That Reflect Your Goals
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Since I look at my planner at least every morning, it seems important that my planner pages reflect my goals.
Since I look at my planner at least every morning, it seems important that my planner pages reflect my goals.
Friday, January 8, 2016
How to Create Extra Writing Space in a Planner Using an Overflow Page
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I know lots of my Loyal Readers use huge planners filled with daily pages and lots of writing space. But my old bones just can't carry that much.
What's a plannerd to do when your planner just doesn't have enough space to write the things that are happening today?
I know lots of my Loyal Readers use huge planners filled with daily pages and lots of writing space. But my old bones just can't carry that much.
What's a plannerd to do when your planner just doesn't have enough space to write the things that are happening today?
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Using Old-Fashioned Paper Tracking in a Planner to Lose Weight
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Every year, I write about losing weight. Every year, I fail.
Every year, I write about losing weight. Every year, I fail.
Monday, January 4, 2016
Setting Goals With a Planner
***This post may contain affiliate links. See my "Disclaimer" link for additional details.***
Unlike the New Year's Day resolutioners, I am constantly trying to lose weight (hello, roller coaster), budget responsibly, and exercise regularly.
For me, the resolution doesn't happen once a year on January 1st.
All year long, I am alone at the gym, working toward that goal.
Unlike the New Year's Day resolutioners, I am constantly trying to lose weight (hello, roller coaster), budget responsibly, and exercise regularly.
For me, the resolution doesn't happen once a year on January 1st.
All year long, I am alone at the gym, working toward that goal.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
What to Track in a Planner
Beyond simply writing down appointments and to dos, planners are a great tool for tracking stuff. Tracking basically means keeping a log of what happened, such as how much money you spent on e-bay this month.
But not everything is best tracked in a planner.
Some things are better tracked electronically.
For example, my calorie intake and budget are better tracked in applications that can add and subtract for me.
Some things are better not tracked.
I drink plenty of water, so I don't need to track it. One of my friends fills a large container with water, and just drinks all of it everyday. She doesn't need to track it in her planner, either!
A planner has limited space, so don't waste it.
Still, plenty of stuff is worth tracking.
*Workouts
After all, I'm usually not at a computer at the gym. Also, I find writing it down (as opposed to simply inputting in an app) makes me aware that I haven't done yoga in a month!
*Medicals
During a medical crisis (like The Loki's current epilepsy mess), a log can help the doctor see exactly what the triggers or reactions to medication might be.
*Billable Hours
As a lawyer, I used billable hours software for a long time. If I still worked at a firm, I'd still use it. But there is something about writing the hours that earn you money on paper. Not only is it a superior record that you actually did the work (since going back and adding fake hours is impractical, so people trust paper more than simple entries in a computer), but it is a rush to see that I made money (these days, on legal research for my work-at-home job or on my blog).
*New Routines
While you learn a routine, write it down each time you do it.
I do this the first week of school. In the mornings, we have to dress, brush hair, brush teeth, wear belt, check folder, eat breakfast, grab schoolbag, etc. I list those things on a simple, home-printed piece of graph paper, and check off each step each day. After about three weeks, the kids and I know the routine and can stop doing that. But checking off and tracking the new routine really helps us learn it in the first place.
Weekly and monthly review tracking in your planner can serve the same purpose.
*Mood
If you are struggling with mental health issues, even mild ones, or overeating, or too much alcohol consumption, a log of your feelings, indulgences, and triggers can sometimes help solve the problem.
*Goals
Have you set a goal for yourself? A simple list to track it, at first, will help you reach the goal. (This is why some people do track water. And for them, that makes sense!)
Any other things that you track in your planner? Let me know in the comments.
Etcetera.
Linked at:
But not everything is best tracked in a planner.
Some things are better tracked electronically.
For example, my calorie intake and budget are better tracked in applications that can add and subtract for me.
Some things are better not tracked.
I drink plenty of water, so I don't need to track it. One of my friends fills a large container with water, and just drinks all of it everyday. She doesn't need to track it in her planner, either!
A planner has limited space, so don't waste it.
Still, plenty of stuff is worth tracking.
*Workouts
After all, I'm usually not at a computer at the gym. Also, I find writing it down (as opposed to simply inputting in an app) makes me aware that I haven't done yoga in a month!
*Medicals
During a medical crisis (like The Loki's current epilepsy mess), a log can help the doctor see exactly what the triggers or reactions to medication might be.
*Billable Hours
As a lawyer, I used billable hours software for a long time. If I still worked at a firm, I'd still use it. But there is something about writing the hours that earn you money on paper. Not only is it a superior record that you actually did the work (since going back and adding fake hours is impractical, so people trust paper more than simple entries in a computer), but it is a rush to see that I made money (these days, on legal research for my work-at-home job or on my blog).
*New Routines
While you learn a routine, write it down each time you do it.
I do this the first week of school. In the mornings, we have to dress, brush hair, brush teeth, wear belt, check folder, eat breakfast, grab schoolbag, etc. I list those things on a simple, home-printed piece of graph paper, and check off each step each day. After about three weeks, the kids and I know the routine and can stop doing that. But checking off and tracking the new routine really helps us learn it in the first place.
Weekly and monthly review tracking in your planner can serve the same purpose.
*Mood
If you are struggling with mental health issues, even mild ones, or overeating, or too much alcohol consumption, a log of your feelings, indulgences, and triggers can sometimes help solve the problem.
*Goals
Have you set a goal for yourself? A simple list to track it, at first, will help you reach the goal. (This is why some people do track water. And for them, that makes sense!)
Any other things that you track in your planner? Let me know in the comments.
Etcetera.
Linked at:
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Sometimes, Last Place Is a Win
I am competitive by nature. I am also the parent of a child with epilepsy.
This weekend, those things collided.
Absence seizures make a child inattentive. Having generalized seizures all night means a six year old who is cranky and aggressive, and, well, the kind of kid who goes from loving and "yes ma'am"ing to screaming and out of control.
That was part of the reason that we were sitting in the doctor's office on a recent random weekday afternoon, with a kid who had, within the hour, stood up in his class, stared into space, and wet his pants, despite being potty trained for years.
Fast forward six weeks, and meds are still not working. Epilepsy medication requires a lot of trial and error, repeated each time a child grows in any significant way.
But the Epilepsy Foundation 5K was this weekend. The Epilepsy Foundation, particularly the Epilepsy Foundation of Louisiana, has educated me and offered to educate our school and my six year old's teachers and classmates, free of charge. The Epilepsy Foundation deserves our support. They do good work.
So we made t-shirts ("Team Loki") and made our donations, and we ran.
Actually, we walked.
We walked slowly.
We stopped before the starting gun went off.
At the starting line, my kid had his first obvious seizure of the day. We started the race about three minutes after everyone else. We dragged him along.
He had another seizure.
Even among an epilepsy-savvy crowd, lots of people couldn't tell. His seizures have occasionally involved tremors or other obvious symptoms, but not that day. He just wasn't there, again and again.
We pulled him in a wagon for a while, but the little kids with us eventually needed the wheels back. We held his hands. We dragged him along. We waited impatiently while he picked flowers, balanced on the parking lot's cement bumpers, and wandered away.
The police patrol that follows the race rolled forward slowly, right behind us. Every now and then, we waved at the officer.
Halfway through the walk, my sister, who also has epilepsy, had a seizure. It was a good morning for her. Her seizures weren't piling up, one after another, as usual. She just had the one before she continued walking. But it delayed us a bit.
Then, the exhaustion came over him. He was done, but the wagon was gone.
We coaxed. We pleaded. We no longer had police escort.
Finally, when we could see no one behind us, we crossed the finish line. There were eight or nine people, cheering us on as if we were the first to cross the line.
We were probably the last to cross.
One of my military vet friends told me it is a win to finish at all. I thought to myself that military boot camp should probably include dragging a resistant, epileptic six year old for three miles through city streets.
But she was right, you know. It was a win.
Etcetera.
P.S. My nine year old wants everyone to know that lots of people did the one mile fun run and he still managed to come in around 25th among all ages.
This weekend, those things collided.
Absence seizures make a child inattentive. Having generalized seizures all night means a six year old who is cranky and aggressive, and, well, the kind of kid who goes from loving and "yes ma'am"ing to screaming and out of control.
That was part of the reason that we were sitting in the doctor's office on a recent random weekday afternoon, with a kid who had, within the hour, stood up in his class, stared into space, and wet his pants, despite being potty trained for years.
Fast forward six weeks, and meds are still not working. Epilepsy medication requires a lot of trial and error, repeated each time a child grows in any significant way.
But the Epilepsy Foundation 5K was this weekend. The Epilepsy Foundation, particularly the Epilepsy Foundation of Louisiana, has educated me and offered to educate our school and my six year old's teachers and classmates, free of charge. The Epilepsy Foundation deserves our support. They do good work.
So we made t-shirts ("Team Loki") and made our donations, and we ran.
Actually, we walked.
We walked slowly.
We stopped before the starting gun went off.
At the starting line, my kid had his first obvious seizure of the day. We started the race about three minutes after everyone else. We dragged him along.
He had another seizure.
Even among an epilepsy-savvy crowd, lots of people couldn't tell. His seizures have occasionally involved tremors or other obvious symptoms, but not that day. He just wasn't there, again and again.
We pulled him in a wagon for a while, but the little kids with us eventually needed the wheels back. We held his hands. We dragged him along. We waited impatiently while he picked flowers, balanced on the parking lot's cement bumpers, and wandered away.
The police patrol that follows the race rolled forward slowly, right behind us. Every now and then, we waved at the officer.
Halfway through the walk, my sister, who also has epilepsy, had a seizure. It was a good morning for her. Her seizures weren't piling up, one after another, as usual. She just had the one before she continued walking. But it delayed us a bit.
Then, the exhaustion came over him. He was done, but the wagon was gone.
We coaxed. We pleaded. We no longer had police escort.
Finally, when we could see no one behind us, we crossed the finish line. There were eight or nine people, cheering us on as if we were the first to cross the line.
We were probably the last to cross.
One of my military vet friends told me it is a win to finish at all. I thought to myself that military boot camp should probably include dragging a resistant, epileptic six year old for three miles through city streets.
But she was right, you know. It was a win.
Etcetera.
P.S. My nine year old wants everyone to know that lots of people did the one mile fun run and he still managed to come in around 25th among all ages.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Habits Happen When You Least Expect
***This post may contain affiliate links. They help you find the items that I use in my planner and financially support this blog. See my "Disclaimer" link for additional details.***
Just in time for a new year, it occurs to me that I mastered some excellent habits in 2013.
As this achievement - making resolutions and actually accomplishing them - is heretofore unprecedented in my 38 years of life, I thought I would share the habits that I have learned this year before you make a final decision about your resolutions for next year.
This year...
I started carrying my planner everywhere. I bought bags and purses that fit my planner and made almost no exceptions about carrying the planner. If I left the house, the planner left with me.
I wrote everything down. Everything. If it needed doing/going/thinking about, and I didn't do/go/think immediately, I made a note of it somewhere in my planner.
I erased the evidence of whatever I did. Took a shower? I wiped down the walls, refilled the empty soap container, and hung up the towels to dry. Cooked supper? I put away the leftovers, wiped off the stove top, and threw the dishes in the dishwasher.
If I was moving from room to room, I grabbed one thing when I left the room and brought it into the next room to put away.
I found, bought, or created homes for the items in my house.
I developed a repertoire of yummy, healthy recipes to cook and freeze for my family.
I decluttered and donated lots of stuff that we never use.
I blogged or drafted my novels almost every day this year.
Here's the thing about these resolutions that I made, kept, and have turned into positive habits - they were NOT made on January 1st.
No, my first day of last year, I planned to lose weight, exercise, and get a full time job.
I did lose weight, but not until I finally took care of a medical condition that haunted me all year. I did not exercise. And I still don't work full time.
My successful resolutions, instead of being made on January 1st, were made with you, my Loyal Readers, watching and supporting me.
My resolutions evolved naturally, solving problems that existed in my life and my home.
Let me encourage you to make your own resolutions the same organic way.
Think about your problems. It's not about improving you. It's about improving the things around you to make life better and easier for you and those that you love.
Don't resolve to lose weight. Resolve to eat healthy fruits and vegetables everyday.
Don't resolve to get organized. Resolve to create a meal plan, write things down, or use a planner.
Don't resolve to be perfect. Resolve to be imperfect and to be okay with that, all the days of your life.
Etcetera.
If you enjoy what you read at Giftie Etcetera, please share on social media. Click here to join the Giftie Etcetera Facebook group.
Just in time for a new year, it occurs to me that I mastered some excellent habits in 2013.
As this achievement - making resolutions and actually accomplishing them - is heretofore unprecedented in my 38 years of life, I thought I would share the habits that I have learned this year before you make a final decision about your resolutions for next year.
This year...
I started carrying my planner everywhere. I bought bags and purses that fit my planner and made almost no exceptions about carrying the planner. If I left the house, the planner left with me.
I wrote everything down. Everything. If it needed doing/going/thinking about, and I didn't do/go/think immediately, I made a note of it somewhere in my planner.
I erased the evidence of whatever I did. Took a shower? I wiped down the walls, refilled the empty soap container, and hung up the towels to dry. Cooked supper? I put away the leftovers, wiped off the stove top, and threw the dishes in the dishwasher.
If I was moving from room to room, I grabbed one thing when I left the room and brought it into the next room to put away.
I found, bought, or created homes for the items in my house.
I developed a repertoire of yummy, healthy recipes to cook and freeze for my family.
I decluttered and donated lots of stuff that we never use.
I blogged or drafted my novels almost every day this year.
Here's the thing about these resolutions that I made, kept, and have turned into positive habits - they were NOT made on January 1st.
No, my first day of last year, I planned to lose weight, exercise, and get a full time job.
I did lose weight, but not until I finally took care of a medical condition that haunted me all year. I did not exercise. And I still don't work full time.
My successful resolutions, instead of being made on January 1st, were made with you, my Loyal Readers, watching and supporting me.
My resolutions evolved naturally, solving problems that existed in my life and my home.
Let me encourage you to make your own resolutions the same organic way.
Think about your problems. It's not about improving you. It's about improving the things around you to make life better and easier for you and those that you love.
Don't resolve to lose weight. Resolve to eat healthy fruits and vegetables everyday.
Don't resolve to get organized. Resolve to create a meal plan, write things down, or use a planner.
Don't resolve to be perfect. Resolve to be imperfect and to be okay with that, all the days of your life.
Etcetera.
If you enjoy what you read at Giftie Etcetera, please share on social media. Click here to join the Giftie Etcetera Facebook group.