Posts Tagged ‘to-do list’

The Simplicity of Summer

Friday, July 31st, 2009

 berries

There’s something about summer that makes simple pleasures a priority.  It may be the longer days or the warm weather, but there seems to be more time for simple pleasures like a day by the water, a family barbecue and lightweight summer reading. 

Summer is the time to embrace the casual, whether it’s clothing, food or entertaining.  Break out the shorts and sandals, savor the fruits of the season and eat outdoors whenever possible.  Take time for outdoor activities.  Summer is the time for swimming, biking and camping.  Even walking is more fun in the summer.  It’s also the time for festivals, fairs, parades and outdoor concerts.  Explore your local community and the surrounding area to find some new summer events.

Here’s another idea for simplicity in the summer – simplify your plans and be open to possibility.  Instead of being goal-driven, see what comes along and then decide if you want to make it part of your summer.  This approach may not be possible at work, and if you have a vacation trip scheduled you’ll need to do a certain amount of planning for that.  But for your personal goals and free time, try working without a game plan.

Instead of setting goals, keep busy and then see what gets done.  For the summer, avoid the frustration that comes from failing to meet long term goals.  Keep goals simple.  Here are some tips for simplifying life and enjoying simple pleasures this summer.

  • Put friends and family first.  Make time for the important people in your life during the summer.  Plan some picnics and barbecues. 
  • Visit your local farmer’s market and stock up on fresh fruit, veggies and salad fixings.
  • Notice that wherever you go, people seem to be sharing the good summer feelings.
  • Simplify your schedule by removing everything but the bare necessities.
  • Slow down the pace.  Take time to appreciate the scenery.  Immerse yourself in what’s happening in the here and now.
  • Enjoy the pleasures of summer each day.  Try to cut down on long work hours, turn off the TV and computer, let some of the housework go.  Take advantage of summer before it disappears.
  • Let the summer sun warm your soul and give you energy.   Save the to-do list for fall and winter.

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    Weekend Reflections

    Monday, July 27th, 2009

    sunset
    The weekend is a great time to unwind, have a little fun, then begin to gear up for the week ahead.  It’s also a good time to regroup and to see where you stand in terms of your goals and aspirations.  Whether your goals are personal or professional, taking stock on a weekly basis helps keep your priorities in focus.  I try to find a few minutes for reflection each weekend.  It’s an opportunity to examine events and accomplishments from the week that just passed and make some plans for the week that’s about to unfold. 

    Here are some questions to ask yourself during your weekend reflections.

    1. How was I challenged last week?  Challenges lead to growth and are sure to provide some lessons in self-knowledge.  If you’re proud of how you met a challenge then congratulate yourself.  If you’re not so proud, think about how you will handle the same challenge when you meet it again.
    2. Did I take care of last week’s top priority?  If not, what kept you from knocking it off your to-do list?   Is this something you’re procrastinating about?  Set yourself a goal to complete that task and one more top priority in the upcoming week.
    3. What did I accomplish last week that will help me meet my long-term goals?  Having two or three long-term goals that you track on a weekly basis will help you achieve your dreams.  What did you do this week that moved you closer to your goals?
    4. What will I do next week to help me meet my goals?  Add a couple of items to your to-do list which are related to your long-term goals.
    5. What was the most memorable event from last week?  How did this event affect you?  Did this event have a positive or negative effect on you? 
    6. What am I looking forward to this week?  If this takes you more than 2 seconds to answer, it’s time to start putting some excitement into your life.
    7. Is there a friend or family member I need to get in touch with?   It’s possible to get so busy that you get out of touch.  Think about who you haven’t talked to lately and contact them during the week.

    Once you’ve gotten into the weekend reflection habit you’ll come up with your own questions.  You’ll find yourself starting the week with a clearer idea of where you’ve been and where you want to go next.

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    How to Become Unstuck

    Sunday, July 19th, 2009

    glider
    Everyone goes through periods of feeling stuck in life. The daily routine seems to be going nowhere and the To-Do List gets longer but nothing gets crossed off. A sure sign of being stuck is a feeling of dissatisfaction and boredom. Some people never manage to get unstuck. Afraid of making changes, they spend their days in a fog of procrastination, vaguely wishing that things were different but feeling too overwhelmed to take the first steps to become unstuck.

    Only you can take the steps to make positive changes in your life. If you’re dreaming of accomplishments that seem beyond your reach, try some of these ideas for becoming unstuck and taking some steps that will move you closer to your dreams.

    Create a Wish List. A To-Do List is great for specific tasks that need to be completed. If you add items to this list which are related to your hopes and dreams, you may find that they keep getting pushed to the bottom of the list. Create a Wish List and start adding specific tasks that will get you closer to your hopes and dreams.

    Limit your focus. Take a good look at where you spend your time. Is any of it spent getting you closer to your dreams? If not, try eliminating some activities to make time for your Wish List items. For example, if you’d like to become a writer, then start scheduling writing time. If you’d like to get in better shape, put workouts on your schedule.

    Fight Long-Term Procrastination. Many To-Do Lists have items that stick around for years. Another aspect of becoming unstuck is to attack these items and get them off the list. Try to address one a week. It’s amazing how much freer you feel when you start to complete tasks that you’ve been procrastinating about. It’s much easier to address your Wish List without a lot of guilt about your To-Do List.

    Add Deliverables to your Wish List. Create some specific goals and deadlines for tasks on your Wish List. This is the best way to make your dreams tangible and to help you generate more ideas for realizing your dreams.

    The feeling of being stuck may actually be a jumping off point for new opportunities. Recognizing the need for change and creating a plan of action is the best way to become unstuck. Rather than a dead end or sign of failure, the feeling of being stuck may actually lead to a breakthrough to a richer and more satisfying life.

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