Monday, December 12, 2011
Project 52: Week 50 (Again)
Not sure how it happened, but someone was a little off in counting and got a week ahead of schedule, so I think this is actually week 50 and last week was 49. Who knows how long my weeks have actually been off.
But, oh well. It happens.
What matters is that our year is barreling to the end and holy crap how is Christmas only 13 days away?
I promise to get back to updating my own list for you, because there HAS been some progress, but today I want to continue with how to set goals and actually do them.
If you'll recall, the last few weeks we've talked about:
Step 1: Brainstorm the List
Step 2: Pare down the List
Step 3: Hone the List
And this week, I want to talk about Step 4: Plan the List.
A wise man once quoted another wise man to me when he said, "A goal without a plan is just a wish."
I have no idea who originally said it, but I can promise that it is SO TRUE.
Now, there does need to be a little room for spontaneity in your List, and there will be things that get crossed off just because you happen to click on a link to sign up for free tickets to a screening of a movie you're dying to see and you get selected for those tickets and then find out that they're also filming a segment for a TV show and low and behold, you've managed to accomplish your goal of attending a TV taping.
It happens.
And you have to leave yourself open to those possibilities, because it's pretty awesome when they do.
But, for the most part, you're going to need to do a little bit of planning so that you don't wake up on December 12 and realize that you only have three weeks left to finish everything.
Now, to start off, I LOVE calendars. Love them. I mostly love writing on them, which is why I get one that's big enough to write on and still read what I wrote later. My preferred calendar for this type of thing is this one:
I buy them at Staples for, like, 3 bucks and then hang it on the wall behind my bedroom door. It's out of the way, but still in a place where I can see it.
I also LOVE color, so I got a 12-pack of the bright and cheery fine-point Sharpies. I try to keep certain things the same color. Like birthdays. And church activities and work-related things and doctor's appointments. If there's a recurring type of event, I'll choose one color for it and stay consistent throughout the year. It's a personal thing, but that helps me keep straight with what's coming up by just a glance.
Next, I go through the calendar and mark things that I know have to happen around certain times. I jot down birthdays and graduations and whatever else I already know about. And I also take advantage of that space at the bottom of the calendar that is reserved for Notes. That's where I scribble in things like "NaNoWriMo" for November, because I already know if I'm doing NaNoWriMo, it has to be in November.
I do that with my whole list. Anything that is specific to a season or month but might not have a specific date, I make note of it on the appropriate pages of my calendar. This helps keep track of what's coming up, but also helps with the next part, which is filling in with other things.
So now you're looking at your List and at your calendar and you've got a whole bunch of goals that don't have a place yet. Before you stress yourself out thinking you have to plan every last thing, be sensible. Give yourself some wiggle room. But also try to figure out when you might like to do some of those things. Try to spread them throughout the year so that you don't get your whole list finished before the summer, or so that you aren't trying to cram a bunch of tasks or expenses into one part of the year.
You do need to allow some flexibility, because anything could happen. You might contract an Old People Disease or find yourself needing unexpected surgery, or get a job transfer or any number of possibilities. Don't be so strict with your plan that you can't make changes as your needs change. But give yourself some vision of what the year is going to look like. That's what will help keep you going.
How did you do this week? Link up and share. And be sure to see what Jennee's been up to.
You are awesome. And if you share this post, you'll be even awesomer!
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My wife is really good at marking stuff on calendars. I finally started using one just to keep up with my blog posts!
ReplyDeleteThat's not a bad idea, actually. I should really invest in big calendar pages. I tend to write things into my phone but I don't think that helps me remember what's upcoming; just what I'm doing that day.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a planner, but I love me some Sharpies! ;)
ReplyDeleteHmm...I should start planning. Maybe I might actually accomplish a few of my goals.
ReplyDeleteI am totally old school and still have to manually write my schedule down. I don't mind using a virtual calendar, but I don't remember as well.
ReplyDeletei have a social calendar, a work calendar and a "i hope I can do this" calender. What can I say, I like writing on calenders too!
ReplyDeleteI have tried using my Google calender, but it just so much more fun to actually write on an actual paper calender.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great plan! And I've always loved that quote about how a goal without a plan is just a wish. So true! Drives me crazy when people sit around saying, "Someday I'll..." but never do anything about it. Good for you for actually working toward your goals
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