Getting Things Done (GTO)

One of the first things I did to try to start the New Year Organized, is read through the book “Getting Things Done” by David Allen. Although I’d read it some years ago, it was just as relevant today as it was then! I remember being way more productive about 10 years ago, and now I know why! It was because I read this book. I am planning on reading it at least every 5 years or so – just so that I can keep on top of my productivity! If I could tell you one thing about this book, it’s this: DO A BRAIN DUMP. Not such a lovely phrase, but really great advice!

What is a Brain Dump?

Write down EVERYTHING that’s on your mind. I did that a few days ago and it has ROCKED MY WORLD! From the desire to completely redo our landscaping, to calling to make an appointment for my nails, I wrote it down. It didn’t matter if it was a far-distant goal or a short-term need, I wrote it down. It’s AMAZING what it does for the brain – hence, BRAIN DUMP. I had five pages of random thoughts that had consumed valuable real estate in my head. Now that those items are written down, I truly feel as though I can “release” those thoughts. It’s helpful in EVERY aspect of my life, but especially when it comes to getting down to business (literally and figuratively).

After I wrote everything down, I categorized the items. I had a TON of “to organize” items, some that ended up “on calendar”, quite a few that I wanted/needed to “purchase” amongst several other categories. This helps me to sort out the items by importance, but also “if I have a little extra time”. Say I have 20 minutes before my kiddos get home from school and I’m “done” with work for the day. I can quickly look at my “to organize” category and see which drawer/closet/cabinet I can organize in that amount of time. And BAM. Another checked item on my list!

I also looked on Pinterest for some different “Getting Things Done” worksheets/templates/ideas. There is a BOATLOAD of inspiration on there. I decided to take this particular chart and draw it out on my own. I love the simplicity of the diagram. It really helps me to remember the order of his method. Here’s my board of “GTO” from Pinterest – MY BOARD – maybe you’ll find some extra ideas there!

Planner(s)

Another thing I did, which I ALSO mentioned in a previous blog post, was purchase a planner. I purchased this planner from Plum Paper.

I just received it today and I couldn’t WAIT to start writing in it. I’ve already got the next couple of weeks planned and I can’t wait to write MORE!!!

Google Calendar

The final thing I did to begin the year off right was COLOR CODE my Google Calendar. Wow. I can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner. You may be thinking – “That’s ridiculous! Paper planner AND Google?” – well, I’m trying it for now. We’ll see how it goes!

This is what the Color Coding on my Calendar Looks Like.

In Conclusion

So this, along with other smaller changes, has helped to truly start out my year in an organized fashion! It feels so good to say that and even better to feel it!

What are you doing to stay organized this year?

The post Three Helpful Tips to Starting the New Year Organized appeared first on Watch Your Business Grow.

The time has come for me to plan. I realize that I am probably a little late to the game.

This year has been great for me in terms of clients, however, it’s taken me well into December!  In past years, I’ve had my last client somewhere around the middle of November. I typically enjoy the lack of “to do” lists around the holidays, but honestly – it’s been a nice change to have more clients to serve around this time of year. With the small client-load, the stress is often higher, simply because I need to make sure my marketing plan is on-point. I always say that when I’m busy with clients (in other words, providing for my family), I am less stressed than when I’m not busy (in other words, bleeding money through marketing). The clients I am privileged to hang out with during the holidays have made my holidays even brighter this year!

I Love Planning.

I’ve always been a dreamer, planner and doer.

When I started school at Boise State University, I was renting a small 900 sq ft home with my brother. After living there for a few months, I realized that if I stayed at Boise State, in 4-5 years (the amount of time it would have taken me to finish college), I would have paid over $30,000 in rent. That was NOT going to be me. I wanted to INVEST in my future. I didn’t want to be stuck with a huge student loan debt, nor did I want to flush my rent down the toilet. So I did what any 18 year old would do in their 2nd semester. I decided I was going to buy a house.

I met with Suzi Boyle to chat about what I would qualify for. She was amazing. She believed in me. Even with a $15,000/year paycheck, she went up to bat for me. She approached the president of the lending company (back when lending was more personal) and told them that she trusted that I would be a good buyer for them. I’m not sure what else she told them, but I do know that I did end up getting the loan!

I paid $58,000 for my 1200 sq ft condo in the middle of Boise, right near the Boise Towne Square Mall. I was so proud of myself, but not that surprised. Remember? I was always a dreamer.

Planning for.

With dreamers, there are goals. So for me, I had goals all throughout my life.

1. Finish High School
2. Buy House
3. Do Mission Work
4. Finish College
5. Build House
6. Marry
7. Children
8. Business
9. Build Dream Home
10. ?

What’s next?

2019 is Going to Be BIG.

With all of the working-out, podcast-listening, goal-making I’ve been doing over the last 2 and half months, my dreams are the biggest they’ve ever been. I don’t even see a ceiling at this point. Write a book? Done. Make 5x what I’ve ever made in a year? No problem. Achieve a goal that is frightening to even think about? No-brainer.

Getting to My Goals.

I’m excited to get to my goals. But – because I’m a planner – I want to write them down. I want to have the visual representation of what my year will look like. Here are some steps I take to plan out my year.

1. Consider Your Planner

I LOVE planners. I had one all throughout high school and college. As a Music Educator, there were no great planners, so I made my own. My planner was BOMB. It was well laid out and I LOVED using it. Since having my business, however, the planner-idea has gone by the wayside. I use the calendar on my phone, random tablets here and there, journals and sticky notes. I have purchased paper planners in the past, but I usually buy them from Ross or TJ Maxx and they’re cheap and not exactly what I want. This year, however, I am going to try “Plum Planner” (I have a code for those who would like a discount – just email me your email address and I’ll request it). It has customizable tabs and layouts. I LOVE me some vertical space for my days, easily accessible To-Do Lists and Social Media Planning. So – for a little under $50, I’ve ordered my planner. I’ll have to revisit my goals for 2019 at the end of the year to let you know whether or not I think it was a valuable investment.

If you are a paper person or electronics person, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you actually use whatever it is works for you.

2. Goal-Set

Planning for 2019 should be fun – this is the fun part. Where do you want to be in 12 months? Do you want to make a six-figure income? Are you hoping for more connection with Friends and Family? Will you open your first commercial space? Where do you want to be in terms of health? So many goals to set – so many exciting opportunities to be filled! When considering your goals for 2019, think of the following areas:

1. Financial Goals – income, debt paid, savings, college funds, etc.
2. Business Goals – revenue, number of clients/parties/new sign-ups, assets acquired, etc.
3. Marketing Goals – Blog Posts, Social Media Posts, Emails acquired, new followers, etc.
4. Health Goals – weight loss/gain, muscle gain, energy, hormone levels, reflection, etc.
5. Relational/Family – spousal appreciation, gain a significant other, spend more time with kids, have a date night, etc.
6. Electronic Goals – leave phone in kitchen at night, read maps, utilize PAPER planners :).

So many fun goals to be set! I will share some of mine a little later – when I reflect how I am doing in achieving my goals.

3. Micro-Manage Your Goals

Micro-manage is usually a bad phrase. However, it is used for good in this post! I am currently reading “The Art of Stress-Free Productivity” by David Allen. It’s the second time I’ve read it, but the first time was about 10 years ago. I’ve never struggled with being productive, but being efficiently productive might be a different story. I am hoping this book will help me with that.

Since I am actually reading it and not audible-ing it, I am only on the first chapter. After owning it for a month. BUT – the one thing that has stood out to me in this book is that each LARGE goal – HUGE dream – needs to have separate little tasks assigned to it in order to make it a feasible goal. So – your main goal might be “ORGANIZE KITCHEN”. Under that main goal, you’ll have smaller goals – like “On Monday, I will organize the junk drawer”. And “On Tuesday, I will dust the tops of the cabinets.” So – I’m micro-managing my Goals so that I can perform the smaller tasks that will ultimately take me to that goal.

4. Work on Your Mindset

I know how it is. You’ve labeled yourself: “Well, I really enjoy my cup of coffee on the couch while I play Candy Crush” or “I don’t want to glorify ‘busyness’, so I’m going to just sit” or “I’ve always had a hard time seeing things through, so I’ll just resign to that reality”. Listen – we ALL have our hang-ups. But guess what? That’s YOUR hang up. Guess who can control YOUR hang ups. You and you alone. So start listening to some podcasts, reading (or listening) to some books, surrounding yourself with positive people and EXERCISING! This WILL change your mindset – I promise. And since Mindset is one of my words for 2019, I’m going to pass that right along to you.

5. Make a Word-List for 2019

Most of the time, when people talk about your “word of the year”, they simply mean ONE word. I’m big on getting the whole picture. So – to get the whole picture, I’m going to need to either expound on that word or create a few that encompass what I’m trying to achieve. Think of what you want from planning for 2019 and create a word list. Put that list in front of you – on  your bathroom mirror – above your computer – in your pantry – wherever you’re going to see it the most. SEE IT, READ IT, THINK IT. MAKE IT HAPPEN.

I hope this helps you in planning for your year.

I’m ECSTATIC for 2019. I can’t WAIT to see what’s in store. And I’m excited to bring you along in this journey.

The post Planning for 2019! appeared first on Watch Your Business Grow.