Planning, Planning, Planning

Today I spent $32.00 and four hours of my time to fetch my planner and journal that I had left behind. As I was waiting in the ferry line up I posted on Facebook about this and asked how many people had moved to using all digital to keep their calendar and planning or did they still like to use paper.

I had some interesting responses and it led me to think that most people younger than me are far more comfortable with digital record keeping than I am. Or if they have used technology in their workplace, it's easier to transition that into their everyday record keeping.

Now with the ability to keep everything "cloud based"  and synced between devices, it makes less and less sense to have it all on paper. However I like to have it all spread before me, there's an undeniable feeling of liking to turn pages, scratching things in the margins and the feel of the pens or pencils in my hand. 

 But, and this is a big BUT, I am very particular about the kind of paper planner I use, it has to have a two page spread for each month, plus two pages per week for writing plans, notes and lists. It has to be large enough to write comfortably, none of those 5"x8" ones are for me, I like the 9" x 12" ones and they often run to $30.00 or more. I usually buy them twice a year so now I'm looking at $60.00 or more.....

Then there's the challenge of having enough months in the planner. Do I use the academic year September - August or the calendar year January - December and what happens when I need to make notes for 2015 but I'm still working in 2013? Oh my, the decisions!!!!

And then what about shared calendars? Last Christmas we actually organized a Google Calendar for the family for who was going to be where and when as we had four children, three spouses and two grand kids all with different schedules.  My husband who admits to being a bit of a Luddite, uses an Outlook Calendar for his work schedule but asks to refer to my calendar for family appointments and such. I'm thinking of moving back to something simple to stick on the fridge for easy reference.

Well, for now I need to add all the notes into my planner that I've missed over the last few days and catch up with my lists. But since I have either my phone or tablet with me almost all the time, I'm thinking that I might try embracing my "inner geek" and move into this century!

How about you? Which options appeal to you? What do you use to keep you on track?

Pomodoro Technique!

Yes, Pomodoro really does refer to tomatoes, are you surprised that I'm writing about tomatoes? Actually, I grow some pretty amazing tomatoes in my garden each year, but this blog post isn't about that either!

I first encountered the Pomodoro Technique in a Robert Genn newsletter  http://clicks.robertgenn.com/pomodoro.php and thought it would be good to try it out. If you know me, you may know that I have a touch of ADD and am so easily distracted!

The premise of the PT is to block your work into 25 minute segments with a short break in between. Some research has shown that repeated breaks during work actually increase productivity. Plus, those of us hunched down over computers and sewing machines should be giving our neck and shoulders a regular break to stretch and relax.

So, I've been giving this technique a trial and really find it helpful, I'm less stressed and can focus a bit more knowing that I have a break coming up that is planned and deserved!

Oh, and the word Pomodoro refers to the red tomato kitchen timers that could be used to schedule your breaks. Me? I use the clock on my IPad, you could also use your computer (I found a timer at http://timer.onlineclock.net/alarm.html) or cell phone.

 

 

What do you think? Would you try this?

New Plans for a New Year

Last year about this time, I was in the midst of selling my half of a pattern design business and all the paperwork, boxing up and reorganization that a sale such as that produces. I was also working at building up parts of my business that needed work. I made time for planning what I wanted to accomplish for the year and I also spend many hours redesigning and planning my studio renovation. My goodness, it was  busy year! I did achieve many of my goals, some I chose not to pursue, and others remain to be fulfilled!

I admit that I do love making plans and lists. For me, there is something calming about getting thoughts, dreams and ideas in sequence and on paper. But I'm also a realist (mostly) and accept that not everything on that list will be checked off by the end of the year. And that's OK, its partly about easing up on myself and remembering to build health and wellness time too! I truly believe that when I plan well, I work well and spend less time frittering away.
How do you manage with your plans? Do you plan daily, weekly, monthly and yearly? Do you write it down, keep track or hold yourself accountable in some way?
Do you have resources that you use such as planners? Calendars? Other things? Why not share some of those with us?
Here's a couple websites that I've used, though I "cherry pick" what I want from those places:

http://www.productiveflourishing.com/
http://painterskeys.com/
http://www.gtdtimes.com/
http://www.mindtools.com/index.html

New Year - New Beginnings

I love the start of a new year, so many possibilities open up, its time for a fresh start and its exciting to look ahead to the future. Its like opening a window, taking a deep breath of fresh air and gazing out at a new vista (personally, I picture Tuscany outside the window)!

This year is going to be an especially different year for me; I have changed my business model and have sold my half of Patchworks Studio (my pattern design business) to my business partner, Daphne Greig. This decision was an amicable one as I decided to spend more time in teaching, writing and my own art work. I am very excited to have more time to be creative and delve into colour, imagery, pattern and more.

I am also embarking on a busy schedule of teaching and travel with trips to the Maritimes, the US and the Prairies planned.  I have new classes planned through www.quiltuniversity.com and new products for my website.

Most importantly, I am now the proud Grandma to two wonderful little babes and I’m looking forward to that new part of my life as I watch these two little ones discover the world and learn about all the wonderous things in their lives.

We can never be creative in isolation and its only through the support and inspiration of others such as yourselves that we can fully realize all that we can be, so thank you! I’ve decided that this year is going to be my best yet, and I’m thrilled with all the possibilities!

New Year, New Plans

Its coming close to that time again...not the 25th but the 31st! Are you ready? I starting to make plans to make my plan and its a task I look forward to every year!
We're all busy, creative people and it takes organization and forethought to accomplish the tasks and goals that we set for ourselves. I don't want to reach December and have to wonder what I did during the year and that I didn't do the things I planned.
So around the end of the year and close to the beginning of the new one I spend some hours getting The Plan in place! Its not a complicated or lengthy plan but I do spend a lot of thought and time to make certain that it works for me.
There are lots of books and strategies out there to help us and I admit to owning a few books and manuals on how to "make it my best year yet". I've added a list of possible books that you might consider at the end of this post.
My plan is a bit of 'this and that' I've compiled over the years, tweeking as I went along until I've created what I like to use. It might work for you or perhaps you'll get a couple of ideas to apply to your own plan.
I begin with a school type scribbler, I don't make the paper too precious so I don't want to scribble on it!
On the front page I write down all the categories of all that I do, professionally, around my home and community, they are not in any priority. The list might look like this:

• teaching locally
• teaching elsewhere
• writing magazine articles
• website
• holidays
• family and relationships
• church and community
• reading/self education
• judging
• art work
• shows to enter
• committed entries to make quilts

and so on...... make as many entries as you want

Now each entry gets one right hand page in the scribbler. And under each entry I'll list all the things I can think of that pertain to that entry. It could be something like this:

Teaching elsewhere

• make certain web calendar is up to date
• flights or travel plans to make and deadlines
• supply lists to the sponsoring organizations
• contact information up to date
• extra supplies ordered and ready for shipping

and so on.....

On the left side of the page I will make a list by month of the places where I'm teaching and the above tasks that need to be done for each and their deadlines.

I can then transfer that information into my daily planner and know exactly what the status is on each task. I'm sure that the calendar on my computer, phone or in Outlook can do something similar but I like paper and being able to touch it and use a pencil.

Does anyone else have tips they use for keeping up with their plans and goals?

Helpful resources:

http://www.davidco.com/ I bought his book 'Getting Things Done' have found it very useful although geared for the office person.

Your Best Year Yet! by Jinny Ditzler http://www.bestyearyet.com/index.html

How to use Mind Maps http://www.buzanworld.com/Mind_Maps.htm

Now I have a couple of weeks to work on my plans for next year....how about you? I'll post more information in a couple of days.
Cheers,