43 of #100daychallenge: planning

I am so erratic about planning. I dread it and I love it.

For the past month or so, I've been meeting with my friend, Chrystina for a weekly check-in. We have become great support and accountability partners. It's lovely to take time for ourselves and make time to spend together. Hearing ourselves and listening to each other helps bring perspective and clarity to whatever we might be struggling with, working on or celebrating.

I'm finding that I'm still struggling with committing to a consistent system for planning and tracking. I know that I need a planner of some sort and that it must be lightweight, have monthly and weekly/daily views. There is no perfect planner — product-wise or person-wise, so now I'm trying to understand how I can create an inexpensive and easy to use system that I will actually get in the habit of using consistently.

Actually, today I started wondering why I care so much about figuring out the materials/visuals. Planning doesn't really guarantee that I will follow through. A very real part of my challenge with planning is that I've conditioned myself to think that I can and should do more than one thing at a time, but it's completely ineffective.

I'm realizing my biggest hurdle as I write. It's not the system. It's the mindset. I think that I need to take time to tune-in before I attempt to do my planning. I must slow way down and come to a full stop first. Next, I must unload any and all expectations and concerns (aka fears).

Essentially, I think I need to start with training my brain and body to focus on just one thing. When I am focused two amazing things happen: 1.) things get done 2.) I feel great about whatever progress I have made because I was all in.

C and I have a loose format for our check-ins, which I am now calling "tune-ins". First, reflect on the past week and share what we feel good about, what was difficult and what we're working on. Then, we talk about what we want/need to make progress on or complete during the next week. We talk about the bigger picture, ongoing efforts and share any resources or ideas that might be of interest.

I'm really grateful for Chrystina's easy and steady friendship and support. It feels like we're comrades, in a sense. We have fun and keep pressure out of the atmosphere. We are now starting to meet up for work sessions, so our first session is tomorrow at the library. We both agreed the library setting will be great for working. Less distraction and expense. I'm excited to get to work, I have lots that I am looking forward to digging into!

If you have thoughts about planning, I'd love to hear any tips, ideas or challenges you wish to share.

Follow @blueprintwellness.life to see my #writing #alltheloveandnoexcuses #100daychallenge unfold.

Brightly,

Laura

Courtyard at the Blueprint Wellness space. Book an appointment www.blueprintwellness.life