Winning the Month

Inch by inch, it’s a cinch. Yard by yard, it’s way too hard.

We’ve all heard of small, simple steps, but how do we actually put those words into an actions that help us?

Planning is a daunting word to some, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, a little planning actually alleviates stress. How many times have you waited until the last minute only to realize you forgot a birthday, the party is tomorrow, and you don't have a present? Or you have a family member coming into town but it's a holiday weekend and now everything is booked and you're stuck at home...bored. Planning ahead allows you to take small steps instead of drowning in last minute anxiety.

Let’s take something large, like a month, and break it down into small pieces. These pieces are specific categories which help you group like activities together, making it easier to plan.

I like to call this, "Winning the Month”. Below are the categories I find the most helpful.

“Winning the Month” - July

• Appointments

  • doctor, dentist, hair, etc

• Projects or Just Plain Ol’ Life

  • big work deadlines, workers coming to install / fix something at the house

• Events

  • concerts, plans with friends, family coming into town

• Spread the Love

  • anything going on in the lives of people you love that you want to acknowledge. a promotion, first day of school / job, upcoming surgery, etc

Now try making your July “Winning the Month” list using the categories above. This initial list should take you no more than 5 minutes. Keep it simple - it is not an all inclusive chore or to do list, it is meant as an overview.

After you make your list, place it somewhere you’ll see it everyday. Beside your computer, posted on the fridge, hell even in the bathroom (don't tell me you don't read in there). This will prompt you to take action. An even better next step would be to put the dates in your calendar and set up reminders - 1 week and 2 days in advance.

Get-to-do List

If you’re Type A like myself and can’t stop there, start expanding on the list like below. This takes it one step further and lays out your "get-to-do" list for the month.

• Projects or Just Plain Ol’ Life

  • 7/5 : Painters coming to paint living room

    • pick out the color paint I want

• Events

  • 7/13 : Friend in town

    • make dinner reservation at 24Carrot

• Birthdays

  • 7/19 : Brothers Birthday

    • gift ideas : record player

• Spread the Love

  • 7/28 : Friends Surgery

    • have groceries delivered to their house

Taking the small step of looking at the month ahead sets you up for success

Fewer last minute fire drills or all-nighters. It allows you to be present and shows your loved ones that you care