planning

3 Essential Tools Needed To Stay Organized

June 18, 2015 By Mrs. Mom Leave a Comment

We have been talking about getting organized. There are a lot of things that you could get to stay organized, but there are three essential tools that you should make sure to not only acquire, but to hold on to and become very fond of.

1. Something to record with

I always keep pens with me. It is very important that you keep a pen with you at all times. If you don’t have a pen with you, at least have a device that you can use to record your thoughts.

So in thinking of something to record with, find a pen, pencil, or device that you like to look at and love to hold. You will use it a lot.

2. Something to record on

Now if you have something to record with, you know you need something to record on, but it needs to have room to hold your thoughts, lists, and goals. You need to be able to carry it with you everywhere. If you aren’t going to have it with you all of the time, why have it?

I personally use my Franklin Covey planner. I keep it with me all of the time. I am also very fond of how it looks. I love the way that it feels in my hands. I have also decorated it to look in a way, to me, that makes me want to look at it everyday.

You might even choose to start off with a todo list. You could use a journal or a notebook that you have.

I would recommend getting a planner or create your own. There are many options. I have tried a few of them.

3. Something that inspires you

This last thing is something that I believe will have a very strong impact on you while working on being organized. Find quotes, pictures, stories, goals, and anything else that inspires you.

Over the past few years, I have gathered things that I’ve come across, which inspired me. I’ve written them in my planner so that I could remember them. I have photos of my children, their drawings, notes from my husband, Bible quotes, quotes on planning and so much more in my planner. As I am using it, I find inspiration hidden within the pages.

What I am telling you is not that you have to do things my way. Instead I am saying that you have to find your way and make being organized and planning special to you. When it becomes special to you, you will begin to take responsibility for your actions. The effort that you put into being organized, even in the materialistic things, will begin to show in your life.

I hope this helps.

Today’s assignment is for you to

1. Find something to record with that you really like and will want to use a lot. You might even need to purchase something special.

2. Find something to record on. For the time being you could use a note book or note pad, but eventually you should look into using a planner or notebook that you can customize like a planner. (I can make recommendations later)

3. Begin to search for things that inspire you. Gather them together in one place. Look for quotes, pictures, stories, and anything else that you can think of that inspires you.

4. Pray that God would help you line things up so that you can get and stay organized.

5. Rest in Him

I look forward to discussing more with you tomorrow as we discuss getting it together.

If you have any questions, comments, or recommendations…leave me a comment below.

5 Reasons Why Should You Be Organized?

June 16, 2015 By Mrs. Mom Leave a Comment

Yesterday we discussed the idea of organization. We looked at getting it together.

We all need to be organized, right?!

But have you ever asked why?

Why would anyone want to take the time out of their lives to organize and plan, when they could be doing something…productive?

Well, I am going to give you 5 reasons why you should be organized.

1. Clear your head

Living life in today’s world, we find ourselves overwhelmed with a vast amount of things to do. We are wondering what we have already done. We are asking questions about budgets, schedules, the kids, our spouses, our dreams, hopes, and aspirations. If you add in the books we want to read, the products we want to try, the trips we want to take, and the chores to get done, our heads are full.

Now don’t get me wrong, we don’t want an empty head with no knowledge, but we, also, don’t want a cluttered head either.

All of those thoughts need to be written down some where so that we don’t feel we have to have the lists stapled on the walls of our brains.
2. Have Less Stress

By clearing our heads of all the clutter, we begin to free up space in our minds to have a systematic way of thinking. The structure that we implement will not only be evident in how we organize, but we will begin to live life in an ordered fashion as well.

Yes! I am talking about organized living.

Our brains like order. The more we create a pattern or organize a thing, the more our neurons travel across the synapse in our brain. The more a synapse is used, it sticks around and forms a permanent bridge within our minds. To make it clear, what we use we keep. What we don’t use, we lose. These bridges start off as thoughts, but can also form actions and habits. As we grow and learn, like in organization, we become more stable. The more stable we are, the less stress as we have more experiences.

This will give our brains a sense of relief. Knowing where things are, what’s coming up, and what you want to do, allows your mind the freedom to focus on things that you find more important. It also provides a stable environment for your continued growth and development.
3. Process Your Thoughts (Discussing your thoughts with you)

The Bible tells us tells us to meditate on the Word of God.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

~Joshua 1:8

That word meditate does not just mean to sit and think. It also means to have a conversation with ourselves about what the Word says.

Well, I apply this same meditation meaning to organization.

We need to ponder, think, and discuss, our list of to-do’s and must have’s, with ourselves and God. By discussing it, we are actually thinking through it and processing it more than we realize.

4. Keeping Track

By staying organized, we offer ourselves the opportunity of tracking our progress. It feels good to look back and see how far you have come from where you were…and if you didn’t move, you can find a way to motivate yourself to get going.

Keeping track and being organized will motivate you to move forward in your goals, relationships, personal and professional endeavors.

I even track my hobbies…I must admit, it becomes fun. 🙂
5. Get Rid of Forgetfulness

I’m not sure if you are anything like me, but I used to forget a lot. I would remember an event, but forget the date and time. I would remember the date, but forget the time. When I got to my lowest point, I had arrived to a party and it was over…that was when I said, I have to do something about this. I meant well, but I wasn’t organized,

When you are organized, you don’t put the pressure on yourself of having to remember everything. Your planner and organization helps you with all of that. It is almost like you create your own personal assistant.

Don’t believe me? If you continue to walk with me throughout this week, you’ll see that you can do this…and it’s not as hard as you would think it is.

Let’s Recap

There are 5 reasons why you should be organized.

1. Clear Your Head
2. Have Less Stress
3. Process Your Thoughts
4. Keep Track
5. Get Rid of Forgetfulness

I hope you found this helpful.

Wait! Don’t leave…I have something for you to do…

Your assignment is to…

First: Think of the reasons why you should be organized. Write them down.

Second: Do you have any objections? Write those down too.

Third: Do you think you will struggle with being organized? If so, in what ways?…you’ve guessed it…write those down also.

Fourth: Pray, out loud for God’s direction.

Finally, Rest In Him.

Join me tomorrow as we take our next step in getting it together.

A Day To Plan

October 6, 2014 By Mrs. Mom Leave a Comment

Normally, I take Monday’s to relax. It is a time when I give myself a moment to breathe.

Today was just a little bit different. I decided to work on my planner. I know that seems very simple, but it’s a little more complicated than one would thing.

See, I love planning, but after I plan, I kinda wing the rest of my day, s I’ve had to give myself a bit of an incentive to continue glancing at my calendar. I’ve dressed it up.

I uses a lot colorful markers, tapes, and sticky notes.

After doing this, I am more apt to look at my calendar and remind myself of all the things that I have planned on doing for the week and the month.

Now I am ready…I have done a different type of resting. I have set my plans before me, but I know that God will lead me the rest of the way. (Proverbs 16:)

Prayer for the day: Father, I thank you for leading me to a place of planning where I can aim to be a good steward over the work that you have set before me. I ask that you would help me to accomplish the goals that you have for me and to be comfortable with leaving the unnecessary undone. I thank you for your peace, guidance, and rest…In Jesus name. Amen

If you find yourself in a place like this…take some time to seek God about how you can plan and be better.

One Step at a Time

October 24, 2012 By Mrs. Mom Leave a Comment

Last night was hard. With my husband being out if town for military duty, I found myself home alone with my kids. Now that’s nothing new, but I by the end of the night, with all of it’s ups and downs, I was really stressed. I was going to do some school work, but I ended up passing out.

Now this morning wasn’t much easier. My oldest son and I had to have a talk and that was stressful in itself. Now I’m sitting here thinking about the things that I need to get done for today and it seems like a lot.

Being a mother isn’t always easy. There are times when it all feels like too much and those are the times that I have to take a step back and pray. If I’m completely honest, mothering isn’t the only thing that feels like that, at times, but that’s life.

I look forward to having a better day today, which means that I have to make it happen.

I’m getting ready to sit down at my trusty planner and write out my thoughts and plans for the day. Once I do that and confidently place one foot in front of the other, I know that God will take car of the rest.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

This is my scripture for today. I have to remember that God is the one that will order things as I make plans. Confidently, I give God all that I have today, knowing that He will take care of me and all that I have.

As stressful as yesterday was, today, I begin anew and refreshed. I take it upon myself to take authority in my life and not to allow any confusion. When it come in, I will not entertain it, but instead I will take a stand an move forward as God has called me to do in his word.