Earlier this year, I set a reading goal to read 12 books (at least) in 2023. I’m happy to report I’m right on track!
I recently read The Creation Frequency by Mike Murphyand it was such a great reminder about how we understand and interact with our surroundings (read: the Universe).
My favourite part was how he explained the power of manifestation as it relates to quantum science AND ancient wisdom.
Shout out to Vaughan Public Library for having such a great book in their catalogue! I’ll have to check it out again and update this post because I really want that concise commentary to live on this blog.
I give this book 5/5 ⭐️. If you are looking for a refresher or even an introduction on the topic – this is a great quick read with actionable steps.
Please share any book recommendations in the comments. Or check out the other books I’ve read in 2023 here.
I recently saw this on Instagram and after a quick google search found that the post that I stumbled over on Instagram was actually inspired by a good. I felt it really resonated with me, and once that happens – I feel compelled to make sure it has a permanent home on my blog (or my twitter or instagram(s)) :P
Not many people I know are like me in that they feel the start of a new week (ahem Monday!) or even the 1st day of the month is like the 1st day of school. It’s the feeling of fresh starts, dreaming big and new routines. I also love reading about people’s organization methods and goal setting – so I thought I’d share to abundance of resources on Google and share tips for a productive month!
Set up your monthly calendar: Appointments, Celebrations, Get togethers, Extra Curriculars, Fitness classes, Classes etc. Getting it out of your head and getting all down in your calendar just makes sense. I use a combination of Goggle Calendar and my paper planner monthly view
Set up goals for the month: whether it’s finishing a book, getting out 3 fitness classes/running x km or maybe it’s doing something you’ve never done before – working towards something helps get you out of your comfort zone and develop character.
Set up a monthly to-do list: I definitely think some of the activities on this list will be created from the monthly goals, but it may also include routine items (ie: run the washer clean cycle, sign up for swimming lessons) and bonus items (ie: artistic projects, going to the art gallery). I personally love the bonus activities – it makes my soul smile
Set a budget: Something is to be said about being mindful about spending. Not just because mindless shopping and over spending is a waste of time and money. But because it’s not good for our environment. So whether it’s a “no spend month” or a cap on eating out, it’s definitely worth a try.
Deep clean something! I think it’s a good habit that I’m starting to implement whereby I clean something that has piled up. Whether it’s a junk drawer, a basement closet or the baseboards. Schedule it in and get it done!
Winter is all about feeling cozy and nourished. And sometimes all of that needs to be carried around in an extra large shoulder bag! And ofcourse, come summer I have reduced my everyday go a tiny top handle ;) + a few cotton tote bags for my round year favs!
Sharing what I have in my bag during the winter months!
Planner & Stationary: I love this vertical daily physical planner to keep with me always. I like to be able to jot down activities, plans or to-dos as needed
Camera: Whether it’s my Instamax or my DSLR, I like to have a camera because I want to be ready when creativity strikes
Water Bottle: Winter means dryness, so helping my prevent that from the inside out
Jewellery: If it’s not on my hands/fingers, then I’ve got some stashed in my purse. Whether its an extra set of hoop earrings, rings and bracelets, I like to have options
Literary Entertainment & Annotation tools: I once read a quote about never leaving the house without a book under your arm, I take that advice very seriously
Change: Yes I’m a Woman in Tech (and usually pay with my phone/watch/digital wallet), but having some form of cash on me just makes sense (random coffees or treats for the kiddos)
Hydrating potions: a few Sephora products because they are just that good (and required for the cooler months)
Everyday Essentials: Nail polish, extra hand cream, claw clip and nail necessities.
Handbag of choice: A little tattered but still loyal… my LongChamp has gone the distance!
To do lists are the micro levels of my big dreams. Big dreams are astronomical, may take months or years to achieve them, require persistence and consistency. Consistency is where our daily to do lists come in.
I do want to preface this post by saying the following:
we shouldn’t be slaves to our to do lists
to do lists don’t own us
to do lists are meant to serve us
So if your daily to do list, post it or weekly planner spread is making you feel bad about yourself – throw it out, take a beat and start over again when you are ready!
We shouldn’t feel productivity debt (feeling like you always need to be doing something and rest is not deserved unless your to do list is completed) from not completing everything on our to do list & there is nothing you NEED to do to earn your existence.
But when you are ready to schedule the day you want to make it amazing – read on!
Side note: I’m writing this as I was feeling overwhelm trying to use notion. Notion is meant to be a tool to keep your life organized but there was too much scope creep in their product – for me at least. The idea that it might also need to look aesthetic, link to a Spotify playlist and my Pinterest mood board was a little too much. So I realized I need to step back and figured others might need to too.
So how do we make our to do lists work for us?
Figure out your big dreams, goals, priorities and projects. But also think about the habits you want to build and routines you want to have.
Pick a medium that works for you. Could be paper or digital, simple or complex. You’ll also want to choose a template: Is it just 1 sticky note for the day, or multiple colour coded ones, is it a weekly spread planner or an hour-by-hour list of tasks. This can obviously change but it’s a great idea to try something out.
Fill your list with your daily living + tasks that will help you got to your big goals. Example are meetings, but also your workouts (goal: to focus on fitness). It could be having lunch with someone and blocking 2 hours in the morning for writing (goal: to write a book).
Pick something to fail at. Not everything has to be checked off and not everything has to be done well. So knowing what can be moved to another day vs a non-negotiable will help you stay intentional and not feel like you aren’t moving forward.
Remember – it’s all about getting to outcomes (not getting things done). Your to do list should be on your side helping you build intentional habits and keep you 1 step closer to your goals!
I’m one of the people that has a stack of books to be read. I’m constantly updating my good reads “to read” shelf. But I’m happy to report that this year I made a HUGE dent in my reading goals.
Links to books (all are Chapters Indigo, but you could check amazon or any local book retailer)
