22 Nov Creating my Shining Life
I’ve never been much of a planner, in fact, most of my family and friends would openly call me impulsive and a commitment-phobe. And they would be right. I am the person that can’t make plans more than a week in advance, in fact, I once booked a two week overseas holiday on a Wednesday night…. And we flew out Friday morning (with a toddler)! I’ve also moved cities on a whim more times than I’d like to say.
Except last year, something changed. I became a bit of a planner addict. Now it wasn’t a full blown addiction, but I will admit, it seems to be getting worse. Don’t get me wrong, I still can’t plan life activities but what I am (slowly) learning to do, is set goals. Goals for home and goals for business and I actually enjoy it, though really, I prefer setting business goals. Because I could never plan, I never set goals. I thought they were one in the same but now I’ve learnt that’s not necessarily the case. Sure, a goal needs a plan in order to be reached but there is more than one way to get there. Alternatives and risks are factored in so for me, it doesn’t feel as claustrophobic as I had always imagined.
What changed?
The turn around came when I was on a car trip out west. We had 2 full days of driving and my internet service was sketchy and I wanted to be productive. It was November and the New Year was looming like a great big cavernous opportunity – would I make the most of it or would I keeping “winging” it like I had every other year. Nope, this was it, I was going to have GOALS! After searching for the perfect business planner to help me (I knew there was no way I could do it without guidance) I found it on my third try – Leonie Dawson’s Shining Life. Let me start by saying that her planners and workbooks are definitely not to every taste. They are loud, colourful and completely left brained and they immediately attracted the (often hiding) hippie in me.
What did I get?
I ummed and ahhed over what to buy and settled for the Shining Biz and Life Planning Bundle – I’d get it all! My first browse through the Biz Workbook and I was in love! This is exactly what I needed. Questions that got me thinking about where I was at, where I’d been and where I wanted to go. To be honest, I didn’t even know the last answer as I was answering everything but slowly, without me really having to try, my goals appeared before my eyes. I couldn’t believe it! For the first time EVER, I was writing my goals down and MAKING PLANS!
Next, I made a promise to myself that I would give her Daily Planner a try. Now, I’ve been a electronic diary person for a long time and have never kept to a paper planner but I was determined to at least give it a go. Again, slowly I found that I could do it. I still live by my electronic diary for appointments but my planner became a daily “check in” place. Goals and to list were recorded and then marked off. I discovered that I loved the visual representation of what I’d achieved during the day. I couldn’t get my brain to use it for appointments but that was alright as I had accepted that the process had to be what worked for me. Not how others do it.
Within my Bundle, I also received the Life Workbook and wall calendar and I will admit, these weren’t quite as successful for me as the Biz Workbook and Daily Planner, but I tried. I used them in spurts throughout the year but not nearly as consistently as they have been designed for.
Would I buy them again?
Hell yes! Last week I eagerly picked up my 2017 Shining Biz and Life Planning Bundle after pre-ordering it back in July! I can’t wait to dive in! In fact, I have two planning days booked with other business owner friends in the next fortnight, for us to go through them together. I’ve never goal planned with someone else before (hey, I’d never done it alone before last year either!) so am looking forward to the experience. I think their experience and goals will only help fuel my plans for the future. Already, I have plans on how I will utilise my wall calendar and I will once again try to do the Life Workbook.
I’d love to hear what your favourite goal planning tool is… Have you found your perfect match yet or still looking? I am a proud affiliate for Leonie Dawson so if you’re thinking about trying the Shining Life workbooks, you can get your copy HERE. If you’re not ready to dive into her workbooks yet or would just like a taste of what she offers, you can get some free goodies HERE!
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