In recent months, I’ve not only moved to a more analog existence, but I’ve experimented with a variety of planning tools. What I’ve found, more than anything else, is that I only do what I plan with few exceptions. The calendar above is on the wall in my home office, with color coding for specific items. The things on the calendar are my church giving, my running schedule, and some basic stuff that needs to be kept up with around the house.
What’s not there is the books I want to read, which was there last year. The goal last year was 24 books read and I ended at 28 as each had a predetermined end date and it was easy to adapt and adjust to how life went. This year I didn’t put it on the calendar, even after making 30 my goal, and it’s July with only 7 books finished. After taking this picture, I filled in the calendar with the books in my stack that I want to read (and the 3 I’m working on) and I’m sure it will make a difference.
The other items missing are workout days other than running and my summer goals for working on the literature review for my dissertation. I’m now creating printouts for my home workout routines that will go on the fridge, with the days for each filled in on the calendar, until I feel healthy enough to move on to weight training and start going to the gym. I also printed out some of the key articles I need to read, and I’m putting them on the calendar this week with an ambitious goal to be ready to defend my lit review in September.
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