1. Celebrate last year - what was great!
2. Forgive someone for a clean slate.
3. Set aside an hour to work on little, neglected to dos (Check out get it done day).
4. Take a walk and enjoy the season.
5. Schedule one day a month for the next year just for you.
6. Consolidate so you have just one planner.
7. Plan a monthly menu - ask everyone’s favorite meals. (If a month sounds like too much, try one week).

***

It’s time to complete things so we can get started on this new year.

Get It Done Day is back!

On Jan. 8th, from 3pm-9pm EST

We start the chat creating a list of what we want to get done Thursday. Then at the top of each hour we will check in with each other in the chat room. We can encourage each other, laugh with each other than get set up for the next round.

For $2, you can come as little or as long as you want. What do you want motivation to complete?

http://www.EncouragingCoach.com/projects-done.htm

***
The 2009 Declutter Calendar is here!

http://www.mysimplerlife.com/decluttercalendar.htm

I ran across an older post of mine that might help you prepare for this year:

http://www.mysimplerlife.com/blog/?p=816

In the midst of lists of things I want to do and become, I also want to be present to the gifts I have today. My life is really great right now.

1. Healthy kids, a home that is warm this winter, a cat that follows me everywhere, and a wonderful husband.
2. I lost 7 lbs last year and did a lot of creating. I regularly have a quiet time in the morning and exercise at least 4 days a week.
3. I can see, taste, hear, walk, touch, smell and move.
4. Reconnecting to many old friends this past year.
5. Plenty of things, food and ideas.
6. The snow outside is beautiful.
7. Warm water for showers.
8. Electricity.
9. New sheets on the bed

I don’t want to spend all of January looking ahead or behind. But, enjoying what I have at this moment.

What are the gifts of your life?

Photo credit: le temps qui passe

The truth is, we don’t know what will happen next year. We don’t know what wonderful things will come into our lives, what changes will happen in the world or what difficulties we might experience. We won’t anticipate things like the power going out on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day which happened to us this year.

Since we can’t predict the future, what can we do?

Strengthen ourselves and do the next right thing.

Strengthen

• Eat the best food for your body most of the time.
• Sleep 7-8 hours a night.
• Exercise at least 5 days a week even if it is just a 10 minute walk.
• Nurture your support system so you have people to call on when you need it and you can support them.
• Have a daily quiet time to nurture your spirit and center yourself - 5 minutes is better than nothing.
• Process your emotions through journaling or other means.
• Develop your character so it doesn’t matter as much what happens to you as it matters who you are.
• Declutter your home to make room for the new (keep an eye out for the next declutter challenge happening this month).

Do the Next Right Thing

"I TOOK A LONG, DEEP BREATH AND WONDERED AS USUAL, WHERE TO START. YOU START WHERE YOU ARE, IS THE SECRET OF LIFE. YOU DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING YOU CAN SEE. THEN THE NEXT."

-Anne Lamott

You know what the next right thing is. Will you get up or sleep in? Will you say that nice compliment you thought or will you let the opportunity pass? Will you look your kids in the eye when they talk to you or will you multitask to "get things done." Will you eat that donut or the fruit? Will you buy that shirt you don’t need and that doesn’t fit in your closet or will you put it back? Will you put people first or work first?

And if you don’t know what your next right thing is? Choose out of spirit - choices based on love and truth. Choose from how you want to live and who you want to be. Get beyond the lies and rationalizations you tell yourself. Most of the time if you listen, you do know what the next right thing is.

Who do you want to be this year, no matter what happens? How can you strengthen yourself so you are up for whatever life brings? What is the next right thing for you to do?

Photo Credits: Martin Iko and Sir Merv

I am not a fan of post it notes for to do’s. Layering them on desks, computer monitors and planners seems scattered. I like having my todo’s in one space. (Even if I change up the space once in awhile).

But, I love post its to keep on track.

One of my clients is in a job where answering the phone is a must. So every time she was done with a phone call, she spent precious minutes getting back into her work.

Now before she answers the phone, she jots a quick note of the next step and sticks it on her file folder. After the call is done, she picks up her note and starts working right away.

These work for any interruptions. If someone comes in, hold up a finger and say just a sec as you finish your thought on a post it with your next action. Then you can give them your full attention.

Before your next break, write down the action you need to do when you get back so after your break you can get to work easier.

And for project files, when you are done for the day write down what you need to do when you next work on the project. You are less likely to get stuck with where to start.

Photo Credit:  Adactio

"Don’t dwell on what you lack; dwell on what you have and use it to the fullest with gratitude. Don’t dwell on your failures-learn from them and move on. Don’t dwell on your fears or sorrows-dwell on your hopes."

Marian Wright Edelman, founder of Children’s Defense Fund (from Guideposts magazine)

If you did this most days this year, what kind of life would you have in Dec 2009?

1. Write thank you notes.
2. Label your holiday decorations so they are easier to find next
year.
3. Declutter holiday decorations as you put them into storage.
4. Simple Planning.
5. List your top 5 goals so you can see them regularly.
6. Update your calendars for birthdays, anniversary, etc.
7. Let go of one thing, unhelpful belief, or time sucker.

***

Have you made past resolutions only to have the same ones this year?

Do you want to find a practical way to achieve a year you love?

You want to say this is the year I will __________!

Visit: Simple Annual Planning

***
The 2009 Declutter Calendar is here!

http://www.mysimplerlife.com/decluttercalendar.htm

One of the biggest reasons for simplifying the holidays is to have more time to spend with those you love.

When you aren’t shopping, you can bake together, play games together or view the lights.

When you aren’t being a perfectionistic, control freak with the decorations, it can be a fun time of music and laughter with the whole family.

When you invite others the share with cooking holiday dinners, you can take more time to talk with people instead of playing the martyr.

This year, really connect. Stay present in conversations. Think about what you would love to know about someone and ask the deeper questions. Don’t settle for superficial conversations.

Here is a list of great questions to ask.

Instead of gathering around the TV, gather around the piano. Or gather in the living room for conversation.

Put a limit to the handheld games and cell phone use by the kids. Get out the old boardgames instead or go outside for skiing or snowshoeing.

Think about different ways you can connect deeper with those you love.

Photo Credit: Chip Griffin

1. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa.

2. Watch your expectations.

3. Get up early for quiet time before it gets busy.

4. Merry Christmas!

5. Listen to family stories.

6. One in and one out for your gifts.

7. Write your thank you cards to some beautiful music.

***

Have you made past resolutions only to have the same ones this year?

Do you want to find a practical way to achieve a year you love?

You want to say this is the year I will __________!

Visit: Simple Annual Planning

***
The 2009 Declutter Calendar is here!

http://www.mysimplerlife.com/decluttercalendar.htm

An overwhelmed life can feel like a one way street - cramped, no way out, frustrating, shut in.

Simple living gives you freedom. Without being weighed down by debt you have the freedom to take more opportunities. With margin in your day you are free to choose to eat lunch with a friend that calls you out of the blue. With less stuff you have the freedom to do more fun activities and less maintenance.

A person living a simpler life knows they have the freedom in what they choose to do. They don’t yield to the over busy pressure of society, friends or family. They know how to say no to what is not their purpose and say yes to what calls to them.

Without the overwhelming pressure to do, do, do you can become what you were meant to be, taking flight and expressing yourself fully. You see things from a higher view, rather than day to day minutia.

When you slow down, you connect with what you need. You can nurture and renew yourself so you are ready for whatever is next.

You have the freedom to be totally present without the worry of what you aren’t doing. You can be fully engaged in your life - exploring each moment.

What in your life is stifling and overwhelming you? What is one action you can take to gain more freedom in that area?

(renegotiating a deadline, returning those clothes and paying down debt instead, taking a quiet time first thing in the morning, splitting responsibility with someone)

Photo credit: Aussiegall