Action Plan

I've been stuck in limbo since I finished my bachelor and every single day my chest feels a little tighter. Like it's harder to breathe. But I'm not one to give up, so I'm making a plan. I believe success is the direct result of will, consistency and hard work, and as the daughter of a professional goal achiever, I will follow my father's expert advice and make a plan. Today I'll reflect on my main goals and tomorrow I will develop more of a plan of how to get there.

Becoming a yoga instructor has been a dream for a few years. At the moment I don't feel ready, but unless I make concrete plans to complete a course in the near future, I will be saying that till its too late. 

I have so much I'd like to share and I rely on blogs for inspiration and information. I've made amazing friends, discovered incredible destinations and I keep finding inexhaustible sources of inspiration to be more creative and live a better life. I hope to contribute to this pool of inspiration and perhaps eventually make a living of it. 

In Norway most universities are completely free of charge, however, for some reason the creative disciplines doesn't seem to hold as much value to the government and thus aren't as widely supported. There are a few sponsored spots, and I mean a few, like 15-20, and they are for master studies, not bachelor, so when I decided to study interior design in order to get into the creative industry (not to become an interior architect) a private school was the only option. I chose to spend the money because I want to be challenged creatively every day and have a job that I love. 

No matter what, these are the overarching hopes for my life. 

Plan it: Calendars, planners and notebooks

So in the spirit of getting my life in order to be able to figure it all out I thought I'd do a post on how to be organized. It's something that's so incredibly important to me, but that I always need to improve on. Over the years I've realised that when my environment is not organized, my head isn't either. I get paralyzed. Glued to the couch, thinking about all the things I should've done. These are a few general rules to keep my life fairly organised. Ps: These are only general rules, not the complete guide to an organised house or life etc.

Firstly (important)
Your diary should help you plan your day, week and month in an efficient mannor. Your calendar should help you get an overview of upcoming events, birthdays, meetings and other important dates that you need to plan around. Your notebook should include everything else, from to-do lists and ultimate goals, to drawings, things you want to do, but are not sure if you have time to etc. Remember though, this is just what I have found to help me. There are many tools and you need to find your own way of using them.

1. Get a calendar, a day planner and a notebook. If you're a tech freak, get an app. If not, I would suggest one of these Moleskins, which is what I've got. Some day planners are large enough to fit the stuff you would put in a notebook. Figure out what suits you best. Now bookmark this page and come back when you have a day planner of your preference. Find lots on Etsy, CottonOn, Paperchase and Ebay. If you're a student, this one might be a pretty choice. 

2. Tidy. Everyone says tidying is not organising, and it's not, but I find it easier to organise or sit down and make lists when the rest of my house is tidy. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just throw everything that's lying around into their respective rooms or spaces, ready to be organised. Toys into kid's rooms, laundry in laundry basket etc. This will get you started without feeling overwhelmed.

3. Worship your day planner. My planner is with me at all times no matter what. Now put in all the set dates you know. Classes, doctor's appointment, lunch with friends. Everything that is planned, and likely to happen. Your diary should not become your calendar or notebook. Keep them separated. The diary should help you plan, in detail, your day, week and month.

4. Map out your goals. This is an important one because this is what will get you where you want to be. Make a list of 5 or 10 things you want to achieve. May it be this year, in 5 or 10, years. On the next few pages note down what you need to do, on an everyday basis, to achieve them. For instant; I want to be a yoga instructor before the end of 2015. For me to achieve this I need to take at least 2 yoga lessons a week and practice at home every day. I schedule yoga lessons and put them in my diary. Practising at home should go on your to-do list. This will take the weight off the actual goal and put focus on what you need to do to get there. Here's some more good advice on how to achieve goals.

5. Make lists. Every night before you go to bed, make a list of what you need to do the next day. To-do lists are great because the satisfaction of crossing things off is motivation itself. Nat from Dear Little House suggests you first do "what's on the list (or at least some of it) and then you check that nothing else has popped up as a result of the things you've already managed to do! If so, add them to the list."

6. "Unapologetically take control of your time and priorities." Ask yourself the importance of each task. This will help you let go of the less important things when it's getting a little too much. Delegate. Don't be afraid to ask for help, if you're willing to do the same for them.

7. Enjoy life. Organising should not be about being able to fit more work and stress into your schedule. It should be about making room for the little things that matter, while also getting the other stuff done.