If You Fail to Plan, You Plan to Fail!

 You've read the saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!

Being organized and ensuring you have your day planned out, helps in planning to succeed, instead of planning to fail. Over many years, I have watched many people both succeed and fail.  Some tell me, "I just go with the flow!", or "I can't plan past the new couple of days, it's just too far." 

Others tell me how they have planned out their goals and what actions will need to be undertaken up to a year or more ahead so that they have the best possible chance of success.  The difference between these two types?  

Simply, it's having an action plan in place and ensuring that they consistently work towards the goal they have set rather than "let's hope for the best".

This quote, I think sums up 2023 for me and part of what I want to achieve: 

"To be successful at anything, you must simply be what most people aren't: Consistent." (Anon)

How can you begin to plan for success instead of failure?

• Set aside time each week to dream, research, and plan the activities you want to achieve.
• Determine what activities are urgent, short-term planning, and long-term planning.
• Begin collating what you need for short-term and long-term plans. E.g. you decide to apply for a housing loan. In undertaking this process, documents will need to be gathered and certified, book an appointment with an authorized broker or local bank.
• Action urgent jobs promptly; don't leave until the last minute.   Ensure the work undertaken is your best.
• Have a notebook or daily planner sheet that you can tick off jobs as they are completed.
• Don't be overwhelmed; break the jobs down into manageable tasks. I have found this helps manage stress and anxiety levels, especially when undertaking a role or request that I have never done before.
• Review, review, and review documents and information before sending.  This saves time and embarrassment.  
• Have regular times that you are at your desk, so people know when they can contact you.
• Plan time to rest and have a break.
• Take care of yourself.

(Canva)

A New Year - Are You Ready for Change?

 Reflecting on the year we have journeyed through has been one of challenges and change.

Change occurs, even when we do all we can to ensure that we continue our path in comfort and routine.  Sometimes, the pathway is rocky with pebbles we slip on or stones on which we stub our toe; there may be a large rock that requires help to push out of the way.

As we journey together on life's path, let's help one another by sweeping off, picking up, and removing the stones that people slip on or stub their toes on.  We must learn to ask for help when the large rocks cannot be removed by our strength alone.

What are a few practical ideas we can undertake to prepare for the new year?

• Declutter your office.  Don't be afraid to work through the paperwork and items in your office and make some tough decisions about what is really needed or what should be relocated to another area of your house.
• Plan and set up your daily/weekly/monthly planner. (I use a color-coded system to assist with key deadlines that must be met).
• digitalize documents that you wish to keep but do not require a paper copy and add them to a specifically named folder.
• Declutter your digital devices. Do you really need 10 photos of one moment, or would 1-2 copies be enough?

Change and challenge will occur in the new year coming.  Let's pray and seek the Lord's direction and help.  Let us be prepared to step out into a "new thing"!

Right Now!

Right now - where are you in your dreams, life, job, and plans?

Content? Perhaps you're between jobs, looking for a change, wanting to embrace a dream or use your talents to create your own business?

There is only one (1) of you. Whatever your past, you are one of a kind. Unique! How can you embrace your experiences, talents and skills to make a difference in your life and your community?

In the book of Esther, we read about a young woman whose life was interrupted by a king. Did she have control of her life? Probably not, as far as being gathered with other young women, placed at the Palace, given beauty treatments, etc. Sounds glamorous, doesn't it? However, Esther was not able to go before the King unless summoned. Her life was dictated by another. 

Yet, when Esther had to face hard decisions, she fasts and prays, asking others of her faith in the city come alongside her and do the same.

Her uncle tells Esther, "The fact is, even if you remain silent now, someone else will help and rescue the Jews, but you and your relatives will die. And who knows, you may have gained your royal position for a time like this.”

Esther 4:14 GW

https://bible.com/bible/70/est.4.14.GW

Esther made a choice to live her life to make a difference. That she was an orphan, brought up by her uncle, taken by the King, made a queen didn't stop her from living out her faith and relying on her God.

There is much in our world we have little control over. That should never stop us from living to make a difference. Being different will cause some to come alongside you, and others to walk away.

But you - you have a choice to live to be different, make a difference. 

How will you impact and improve your sphere of influence today?

Embracing Change?

Over the past few months, significant changes have occurred in our family life. Changes in employment, our youngest graduating from High School, and myself, taking up a new Not-For-Profit executive position.

Change can bring the feeling of being uncomfortable and challenging, and certainly cause you to either embrace it or hide away.

Undergoing change in your life is not comfortable. Often friendships formed in the workplace, and other organizations change, even end. Relationships change. Finances change. Family life changes.

Recently, I have been reflecting on how to embrace the changes positively. Is this easy? No. But to live life to be effective means being willing to change, even when your mind is screaming NO!

To begin this process, I have begun:

• Getting up earlier in the morning and having breakfast (or a cuppa) with my husband.
• General House tidy-up (making the bed, cleaning bench tops, washing, dishes, general household duties).
• Set time aside for reflecting on God’s Word.
• Deal with urgent emails, accounts, and the import “To Be Done” items on my list.
• Set time aside later in the day to read, rest, pray, and visit.

It is so easy to fall into procrastination or become overwhelmed.

Iveth Luna (song “In You” sings, I can do all things...even when the darkness comes, even when the mountains tower...in You (the Lord).

That is how I get through each day - with the Lord. If the past few months have taught me anything, it is I cannot get through the changes without the Lord

As organized as one tries to be, unless the Lord directs our path, the journey will be rough. The path may have stones that irritate you because they get in your shoe, or there may be a block on the path, your health may be under attack, or your family life has changed. Whatever the situation, the constant presence, and love of the Lord is comforting and reassuring

What changes can you make today to start each day more positively?

Planning, Listing, Learning!

Those who know me, they will understand that I am usually organized. I have lists everywhere, a planner colored for the month ahead, a diary (digital and/or paper) reflecting what's coming up, where I need to be, what needs to be purchased and bills to be paid.

It's Important to Plan

With the busyness of life in our modern society, it is important to plan - at least have some idea of what's coming up, what bills need to be paid, and what appointments must be attended.

It's easy to say, "well, I get to that when I feel like it," and for some, I guess that works. 

However, having a plan of action helps to lower stress levels, and ensure we get to those important appointments and events on the right day and at the right time. Can you imagine missing your child's special day at a school event or forgetting an important medical appointment?

Planning can be simple, or, depending on your work, voluntary positions, and demands on your time, more complex.  By planning at least, the basics, you can find ways to free up portions of your time so that you can invest in family, learning, relaxing, spiritual growth, and assisting in the community.

Lists

Over the years, lists...yes boring lists...have been my go-to, the lists ticked off have provided reassurance and have sometimes been used to prove that certain jobs have been completed. More than once, producing my list has proven that time-sensitive deadlines were met.  

Just having a tick-and-flick list can ensure you accomplish what's necessary to be completed on a certain day or meet a deadline. Ticked-off lists help to visually show there has been movement on the given task and give a sense of accomplishment.  You can use a list to break down a large job into smaller blocks of work, so you are not overwhelmed.

Learning

Never stop learning! If you stop learning, you are not breathing! Learning is life-long.  Perhaps taking on a new role is daunting but gather around yourself trusted people to affirm and encourage you as you step out.

A positive environment where you are encouraged to experience innovative ideas and challenges can bring a spark that fans into a flame of creativity.  Imagine what your creativity can bring to a not-for-profit group or your workplace? You may just have the idea they need to progress into a new and exciting pathway of growth!

Planning, having a list, continuing to learn - living life to make a difference!

Canva 2022

Staying Organised In A Chaotic World

Have you noticed how easily you can be distracted by news, social media, messenging and general life?

We all have busy lives.  Often we are simply trying to get through the day - complete work deadlines, make the NFP meeting we've committed to, get a  meal on the table, ensure the children's homework is done.

One way I have found to stay organised in the chaos is to simply take 10 minutes every few days, sit down with my diary (online/paper/planner, whichever works for you) and check through the week.  

• What is coming up - meetings and events?
• What do I need to purchase - grocercies, gifts, etc?
• What bills are due - vehicle registration, electricity, mobile phone account?
• What deadlines do I need to meet for work or N-F-P committee?
• What jobs need to be completed around the house?

You may have other questions that need to be addressed and noted into your diary. That's what a diary or planner can assist you with. Helping to keep you focused and organised so that by the end of the week, you're not feeling completly overwhelmed.

What steps can you take to plan your week more effectively?

Don't forget to schedule some time for you!

Teamwork

 Teamwork.  We often hear this word, read about the importance of it and in our workplaces are encouraged to participate in it.

What is Teamwork? The Cambridge Dictionary tells us, "the activity of working together in a group with other people, especially when this is successful."

Teamwork isn't always easy.  Some people find it much more appealing to work alone, whilst others relish the opportunity to work with others.

Teamwork, when everyone in the group chooses to participate and work together, can lead to creative and successful outcomes.  To achieve successful outcomes, all participants need to intentionally  ensure a numbe of actions occur.

1. Turn Up on Time!  Meetings (either in person or online) to brainstorm, collerabrate, and compile are important and it is very frustrating if participants are late joining the meeting or not turn up at all.  If you are part of a team of people, then TURN UP! Turn up to participate, turn up on time, be proactive.

2. Do Your Part!  Your contribution is important.  Ensure you complete the assigned tasks ontime and to the best of your ability.

3. Ask for Help! If you are overwhelmed or struggling, then reach out to the team and ask for help.  That's not, I don't want to do the task or I haven't ensure enough time.  It's asking for help when I've tried and need someone to review or assist.

4. Affirm Each Other!  Encourage one another and affirm the team members abilities and skills.

5.  Celebrate Your Success and Milestones!  Don't forget to celebrate together the milestones achieved and successful outcomes.  When things don't quite go to plan, find what to celebrate and then how together work out the issues that still require resolution.