10 Ways To Plan a Life you Love

It’s often said that if we fail to plan, we plan to fail.

Taking time out of a busy day full of work, family obligations, errands and walking the dog to plan can seem like one more thing to do. However, without a plan, you won’t reach your destination.

Here are 10 simple, but powerful steps to make your life richer, more fulfilling and organized.

Strive to work them into your life. Don’t aim for perfection, but putting them into practice will bring more order and help you focus on what’s really important in your life.

1. Prioritize. Do you know where you’re aiming to go or what you want your future to look like? Ask yourself what’s most important to you this time in your life. Your health? Family? Business growth? Make sure you KNOW what’s most important to you and that you are taking time to focus on your priorities.
2. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. It often happens, we take on way more than we should. Learn to say “no” without feeling guilty if it’s not on your priority list.
3. Plan at least the day ahead. Without a plan prior to your day, the hours will fly by and you won’t have focused on those things most important to you. Keep a diary of daily priorities and plan at least a day in advance.
4. Keep good effective and easy-to-use records. Nothing wastes time more than searching for something you need and not being able to find it. Take some time to set up a simple organizational file system, then discipline yourself to use it.
5. Do a little bit each day and be consistent. By “chunking down” a big project, like filing or picking up the house, and doing a bit each day, you won’t run into the overwhelming feeling of being out of control.
6. Keep things in perspective. Don’t expect perfection of yourself or others. Things may not be perfect, but as long as you can shrug it off knowing that you are doing the best you can, your stress level will thank you.
7. De-clutter and rearrange. Clarity in your mind begins with clarity in your surroundings. Regularly declutter and clean up space, one room or desk drawer at time. You’ll be amazed how much of a feeling of control you’ll gain.
8. Focus on each task. Complete each activity you begin. Whether you’re easily distracted, have a bit of ADD or love to multi-task, train yourself to complete a task before moving on. Learn not to start something unless it can be finished in the time frame you have. Looking at completion as a game makes getting something done rewarding and satisfying.
9. Schedule specific times for each task. Routine can be your best friend. Routine is taking care of things consistently. You’ll have less resistance, and more success with follow through, if you set regular times to workout, walk the dog, grocery shop, etc.
10. Simplify your life and keep everything in its place. It’s your life, you get to decide what it includes. Negative people and unfulfilling obligation need to be questioned on their value and eliminated. Same with the “stuff” that finds a way and makes its place in your home. Keep your surroundings simple with a place for everything and everything in its place. You’ll have peace of mind and from this order.