If you’ve got big goals planned but find yourself feeling scattered or going to bed with a sense of little accomplishment, you’re definitely not alone! One of the biggest hurdles in life is how busy we all are - it seems there just isn’t enough ‘time in the day’. It’s easy to miss the beauty that’s right in front of us.
When I lost my day-job years ago and started Drops of Gratitude (a little side hustle at the time)... I had some BIG goals. Working from home with a toddler and learning how to start-up a business, I was definitely spinning my wheels.
Through the help of a business coach, online information, podcasts, and books, I learned dependable ways to boost my productivity and manage my time better.
Today, these are four things that I live by to ensure I feel accomplished each day and grateful for my path in life:
1) PLAN YOUR DAY AT BEDTIME; WAKE UP AND SET YOUR INTENTION
Before you go to sleep, use a journal and write down the things you want to accomplish the next day. Just write down two or three things - not your entire to do list. Make sure they are small actionable items. Break big ideas (like ‘clean the basement’) into smaller more actionable items (like ‘organize all paperwork on my desk’).
When you wake up, take just a few moments before moving out of bed to breathe deeply and set your intention for the day.
How do you set an intention? I love to use a mantra or a short phrase that I can repeat to myself throughout the day. It helps to remind me of who I need to be to accomplish my tasks.
Examples might be:
2) EAT THAT FROG!
What does “eat the frog” mean?
There’s an old saying: if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve conquered the worst thing you’ll have to do all day.
For author Brian Tracy, “Eat That Frog” is a metaphor for tackling your most challenging task before anything else—the one that you’re most likely to procrastinate over. Also, focusing on the task that will leave the biggest impact on your life.
Maybe your frog… the thing you avoid doing but you KNOW is good for you… is going for a jog. Writing a few pages for the book you’ve always wanted to write… meditate… fire that crappy employee… make a mess of the kitchen making your green smoothie.
Some of the things I've achieved by ‘eating frogs’ are:
Turning my side business into a profitable company by introducing our brand to small retail stores throughout Canada.
Paying off our debt by time blocking our budget and money goals.
Building our first website, on my own, without any experience (time blocking and Youtube helped make that happen!)
And, I know in my heart I accomplished these things because of the ‘Eat That Frog’ philosophy.
3) KNOW YOUR NON-NEGOTIABLES
Make a list of all the things that HAVE TO HAPPEN every day.
Whether it’s journaling, checking in with your partner, spending one-on-one time with your kiddos. Make a short list of 5-10 things that you will do NO MATTER WHAT.
When I was in school for Holistic Nutrition I met a woman who walked 10km every single day and in over 10 years she only missed her walk ONE TIME. She started walking as a way to fill her cup up when her kids were young and continued because it had such a positive impact on her. What an inspiration!
4) CREATE SPACE FOR ‘ME’ TIME
“But there’s not enough time!”
B.S.
You need to prioritize YOU. You can’t help others if your cup is empty. You can’t love others if you don’t feel gratitude for yourself. Learn what fuels and rejuvenates you and make time for it.
For me? I enjoy solitude (obviously, I have 3 kiddos!). Nothing beats a walk in nature or a hot bath with amazing essential oils like our newest Adapt & Attune!
So, what frog will YOU eat next? What intention will you set to help you crush your goals? Live each day with intentionality and feel gratitude for all that you accomplish - big or small.
XO
- Laura