HAPPY NEW YEAR!
First of all I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year! So much has happened this year I can’t believe how quickly it has flown by. I hope you all had a fabulous festive season.
I love New Year. Starting afresh. So many plans and all those resolutions that will probably only last a week. No…not this year I am determined this is going to be the best year yet.
We saw in the New Year with our daughter in the Alps. It was lovely to have a break from everything, enjoy the snow and skiing and all be together as a family for a little while. It makes such a difference mentally to get away from all the hundreds of little jobs that make up a house rebuild. I have come back raring to go again, be more organised, get more done and crack on with this project.
MAKING PLANS
This year I am definitely going to get to grips with some sort of system for planning my life. I waste so much time flitting from job to job, trying to decide what to do next and procrastinating on the things I am not keen to do.
I am excited to see the difference another year can make on our house. So much to do, but every little achievement boosts you along a little bit. Jobs I’m dreading and jobs I cant wait to start. But they all add up and that’s what it’s all about.
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One of the most important items to kick off your year well is a decent diary or planner. I have recently been trialling Asana which is a digital planning tool. It is free to use and has many options for lists and projects. It sends you reminders and you can even sync it with other people or members of your family, great for delegating! I have read good reviews for it, but I think I’m essentially a pen and paper girl, so for me, I’m not so sure. But if you like everything on your desktop, tablet or phone then you might like to check it out.
Last year I bought the Busy Life Diary, which I was pleased with. It is a double diary for those of us that live a double life, for example home and work, or household and diy jobs to do. I used it for home/diy and my horses, and it worked well for that. There is plenty of space for reminders and lists and handy little pockets for keeping notes and receipts.
MAKE THIS YOUR BEST, MOST PRODUCTIVE YEAR EVER!
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Here are some other good options. I get bored easily so I think I’m going to change it up this year and try something new.
This Livvit Diary and Planner is great for goal setting and making stuff happen. It’s not cheap but it’s the one I think I’m going to try out, because, let’s face it, I have a lot of stuff that has to happen this year!
This dated week-to-view diary is simple, effective and well priced. It has nice thick paper and an attractive durable and soft cover. It has an intuitive layout, 30 minute intervals and lots of space to write. Or maybe I’ll go for this one…!
I can’t cope without my wallplanner. If it’s on the wall, it’s there for all to see, nice and “in your face”! I feel calm when my days are planned out and I can see it all at once. It’s available in a laminated version too.
If you are looking for something simple but pretty, you can’t go wrong with Country Living’s annual offering. Inspiring pictures in a month-to-view format. Bright and cheerful.
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
As per every New Year I am determined to eat better, lose some kilos and get fitter. In fact this blog might be just the thing to keep me accountable, because, hey I’ve written it down now and told the world!!
One thing that I am finding extremely useful and motivating is my Fitbit. As a girlie on a renovation I often find that I am doing a fair old bit of manual labour. I am not so hot on machinery or tools so when I’m not on my own project (currently drylining which I hate, or pointing, which I love!) it is usually me doing the digging, sweeping, barrowing, fetching and carrying. Often this puts me in a negative headspace, begrudging every chore, making me feel tired and grumpy.
However…now that I have my Fitbit I have that extra bit of motivation. I am no longer trudging up the hill with the wheelbarrow, but consciously energising myself with thoughts of “Be gone b*****d muffin top!”. I don’t mind doing these mindless tasks nearly so much because they are adding to my steps count and earning me my glass of wine at 6pm! What a difference it has made! If you need that extra mental energy I can’t recommend it enough.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
Wherever you are in your project, small or large, I would love to hear from you! Tell me your struggles, share your achievements and join me and my lovely AperoGirl subscribers where we can all encourage each other and make 2018 the best, most productive year yet!
I have lots in the pipeline to help, inspire and motivate x
