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| Janus - the god of beginnings and transformations: He looks to the future and to the past (hence two-headed) |
I have finally started to plan 2015. A bit late and still a bit haphazard, but at least I am able to think about what I’m wanting to do in 2015 (beyond the obvious – not end up with burnout again).
I always do a review of the past year – generally between Christmas and the New Year – where I look back over plans/goals etc. and also review my daily journal and see how the day-to-day went. This year’s review a) only took place a couple of days ago and b) was an eye-opener.
I suppose it wasn’t rocket science but it was striking to me to see just how many days towards the last half of 2014 that I noted that I had slept badly/had had vivid dreams or nightmares/was exhausted/kept waking through the night/that my arrhythmia was bad... Since both my mental and physical health were crumbling, all my other goals became affected too. By late November I had collapsed and could barely even plan on getting up. This utterly floored me as I have always been super-planned.
Anyway, doing the review helped me to think about my goals for 2015, central to which are to protect my mental and physical health. I’ve also read back over a couple of posts I did a while back, specifically this one (on ensuring that your goals are things you yearn to do). Finally, I have managed to get my sh*t together and draw up some sensible goals, from which stem the projects and next actions that are the core of my ‘system’. I’m not going to post on the system –see here (2012 set-up), here (my planning system), here (projects to next actions), or here (getting ready for 2014) for details on it. Essentially, the system that worked for me in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (until I hit burnout) will no doubt work for me in 2015! The only tweak I have made is to stay in the compact de Villiers binder. As a consequence I can only have four months of WO2P in the binder, and the monthly planning sheets and weekly planning sheets for everything other than the current month are kept in a ‘planning binder’ (navy Portland filofax) along with the pages outlining the goals to projects to next actions.
Here's hoping that 2015 ends up better than 2014 finished...
As I should remind myself every day:
If I'm not yearning to do it, or it's not essential... why am I squandering my life on it?
Hey, glad to hear that you've managed to start planning for 2015 after burnout. Not an easy way to end the year & so tough to get anything done if both your mental & physical health are both suffering.
ReplyDeleteIt's not the same, but I empathise with you as I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder so the beginning & end of the year is often tough for me. Lack of sleep screws around with everything.
I will be simplifying this coming year:
1) Be kind to myself - I know I will get more done & enjoy it more
2) Plan the sh*t out of everything on paper - break everything down so it makes it easier.
Thank you! Hope your S.A.D. isn't too bad! Your plans sound good.
DeleteI'm planning on setting up my planners for 2015 today - although it may end up moving to next weekend... I am soooo organised :o)
ReplyDeleteHow did it go?? Did it get shifted to the weekend? Hope all is well.
DeleteAbsolutely, although I did start writing my stuff to track in my Plannerisms planner. My personal stuff is far from organised, but I'm making good headway on my work stuff, I'll take that win :-)
DeleteAmanda, hats off to you for your resilience in the face of these difficulties. I know first-hand how tough it can be to come back from these episodes, so I'm full of admiration for your progress in getting back on track.
ReplyDeleteYour formula of starting with values and goals that protect your mental and physical health is a good one, and will produce positive changes which support your wellbeing throughout 2015. I also like Anita's formula, and very often it's the boundaries we set and the commitments we turn away from that have the biggest positive impact.
Wishing you well in achieving your goals throughout the year ahead,
Gerard
Thank you! Here's hoping it all stays on track.
DeleteI'm so glad you're starting to feel better! I'm so sorry, I kept meaning to email you to ask how you are and whether I could help, but I got sick myself at Christmas and have been barely crawling out of bed :/ Do please take care of your health and wellbeing as best you can. However busy you need to be, you need time for that. Even Jesus himself got weary, and rested after periods of especial hard work, and if he needed to, you can be sure that we do! Please do let me know if you need anything I can help with, and know that you are in my thoughts <3
ReplyDeleteOoh - hope you're feeling better! And thank you for your kind words. They have really helped. A.x
DeleteStarting is the hardest part.
ReplyDeleteKristy
aka Giftie Etcetera
It's felt so much better now that I have been able to start... Here's hoping it keeps going!
DeleteAmanda, good to see you back. Being organised doesn't mean we can do everything and sometimes I think more organised people can over-extend what they think is achievable. Your first two priorities sound spot on and I hope you get better soon. Looking forward to your posts again, I really enjoy seeing the various systems dissected and the pros and cons of each discussed. Must be the PhD training :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm hoping to get back to more regular posting. Not sure if it's the PhD training (but that MUST have been useful for something...)
Delete:-)
Amanda you're words are so amazing!! It has hit such a nerve with me that I think you may have just completely changed my 2015 'goals' - and how refreshing!! I can't wait to start re-thinking my 'goals' - a fine job to do this week end. Thank you x
ReplyDeleteThank you!! Let me know how your changed goals are going?
DeleteThank you everyone!! Your kind words all mean SO MUCH to me!
ReplyDelete