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You all remember a few weeks back when I said I needed to slow down a little on the design front? I stopped doing custom artwork, and planned to have two weeks off to clear my head; as it had gotten a little stressed to be honest. Well, that two weeks turned into around 4... so far. I've thoroughly enjoyed it, and I did really need it.I didn't want to ruin the passion I felt creating, so I knew I had to take a step back from doing custom work for people. However I never wanted to stop creating artwork, and this has given me the chance to paint, draw, collage and design 100% for myself, which has been amazing.
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Bloglovin - Twitter - Instagram - Pinterest - Facebook
Bloglovin - Twitter - Instagram - Pinterest - Facebook
I love how inspiring Jemma’s posts are. Whether it’s selling her artwork or growing her blog, she seems to work tirelessly going after her dreams. So if you read her blog, I’m sure you’re an inspiring lady with big dreams, too.
I KNOW what it’s like to want something desperately but still never seem to make it happen. That’s why I want to share a simple tool that you can use to help achieve any goal.
It can be busy to keep all of my projects going while also working a full-time job. I write my blog, work with clients one-to-one, create digital products, and I have a podcast and ecourse that are both launching next week. I'm also married, have a busy social life, and prioritize making time for myself. This might sound like an impossibly busy schedule but I've learned a couple of very simple tools that allow me to keep moving forward without getting burnt out. And you can apply them to any goal you might be working towards.
This year I promised myself that I would go balls-to-the-wall making my big dreams happen. By this time next year, I want to be running my business full-time. I've made enormous strides towards this goal. I've achieved some pretty big things in the past: starting my own magazine, traveling across Europe, and moving to the other side of the world, to name a few. But this year has been different. I've kept up my momentum in a way that I never have in the past.
Often I'd dive head first into a new project or goal and go full steam ahead for a couple of weeks and then it would peter out. But not this time. I've gotten planning and reflecting down to an art. By implementing short, simple reflection rituals every week I'm able to keep myself focused, celebrate my accomplishments, note where I can improve, realign as necessary, and plan my next action steps.
This is a deceivingly simple ritual that has an enormous impact. I've outlined how to get the most out of this process below. And because planning is more fun with pretty stationary, I've created a free printable that walks you through the exact reflection questions I use to check in with myself. Just pop over to my website if you'd like to download it.
Create a sacred time.
Choosing to do your reflection at the same time every week will build it into your routine and make it something you prioritize. Carve out 30 minutes and recognize it as an important act of self-care and a crucial building block for your dreams.
I like to do my reflections on Sundays, usually in the early evening with the week still fresh in my mind. It's also the perfect time to set myself up for the week ahead. But the key is to find a time that will consistently work for your schedule.
Add a sense of ritual.
Creating a sense of ritual around your routine will make it special and also something you look forward to.
I like to brew a mug of hot cocoa, light a candle, and sit down with my favourite pink pen to think about the days that have just past and plan the week ahead. This has become one of my favourite times of the week and adding in these small rituals has made it feel sacred.
Reflect on your achievements.
Actually write down everything that you accomplished this week, whether they're items from your to-do lists, starting a new book, trying a new creative medium, cooking healthy meals everyday, or anything else that seems worthy of note. Think about what you learned, anything you changed about your routines, or events that were particularly interesting. Write it all down and take a moment to feel proud of everything you accomplished.
Think about what you could have done better or whether you need to realign your vision.
Reflecting also allows us to see where we could have done better to make progress with our goals. How could you have spent your time more effectively? What would you like to let go of? Could you have reacted differently to a situation? Make a note of these instances and decide what you would like to do differently next week.
Create a plan for the following week
You can use your reflections to guide your plans for the following week. When we create a plan we're more likely to follow through, and when we build this into our reflection ritual.
Most of us work best when we have one main focus for the week and dedicate our actions towards it. Identify what one thing you could do this week that would move your goal forward the most. Then break that down into bite-sized tasks and schedule them in your calendar. You'll also want to move any outstanding to-dos from last week into your schedule if you still think that they're important.
Creating a weekly ritual reflection has drastically changed my life for the better. I now achieve my goals more quickly and with more ease. This process helps keep me focused and motivated. Whether you want to start an art journal or a magazine, taking time to plan and reflect each week is one simple, powerful step that will help you get there.
But just sitting down and telling yourself to "plan and reflect" each week might make your mind go completely blank.
I've put together these worksheets that walk you through the exact reflection questions and planning steps I use to work towards creating each of my dreams. Plus, they're pretty and flowery! You can just hop over to my website if you'd like to download them.
And while you're there, be sure to tell me what goals you're working on. I'd love to hear!
xo,
Sarah
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There are a few things I want you to know about this post guys.
1. It took me a lot longer to write than expected, because I kept getting side tracked every time I found hilarious photos.
2. Writing this post wasn't just preaching about something; because it made me FEEL what I was writing about (You’ll understand this in a moment).
3. It made me realise I'm always going to be awesome. And so are you.
Whenever I think about growing up, I get pretty scared. Scared that I'm not feeling quite like a ‘grown up’ yet, scared that I haven’t got kids like most of my friends, scared that I don’t even know if I want kids, and scared that I’ll change and become this boring person who isn't living life to the fullest. That last one actually terrifies me.
I was thinking about all of this when I discovered The Colour Report*, a survey conducted by McCarthy and Stone; the UK's number one developer of privately owned retirement properties. WOAH WOAH WOAH, slow your roll sunshine. I see you all switching off there. Come on, it's me. I have a point, I swear. It's a good one actually, so stay with me.
But the most important one to me was that 84% of retirees said having a laugh with their friends keeps them feeling young. How amazing is that?
First of all it gives me a little bit of hope, I mean.. if I can still be having a laugh and feeling young when I'm a retiree, what have I got to be worried about? Secondly, I wonder in what ways I'll be having a laugh?...
Still getting pissed with my mates while sat around 'Instagramming' our wine glasses? Maybe.
Drinking random shots at Revs to ensure we've tried every single one? Possibly (oh god I hope!)
Insisting we still visit the Disney store? Okay maybe not. Maybe. I dunno, we'll see.
I feel like I've been given a little bit of a magic gift though really. If I just make sure I'm always having a laugh with my friends, I'm sorted! I'll have stolen Peter Pan's ability to stay young (sort of..)! They've basically proven that the most important things are happiness, friendships and living life to the fullest. I'm all about this. I can get rid of this crazy notion that I'll suddenly have to change who I am at some point.
I have such a wide group of friends, especially since I started blogging, from all across the world. I talk to my friends every single day, whether it be online, on the phone, writing letters, video calls, etc. Friendships are one of the most important things in life and keep you fun, and 100% yourself. After all, don't we all feel completely rejuvenated after catching up with friends? - Unless of course it involved Vodka, which in that case is understandable if you're left a little worse for wear ;)
So yes, I get scared about growing up, but The Colour Report really did make me feel a little better to be honest. It's all about reminding us we don't need to have this dated idea of retirement that we all seem to go by. There's no endings, no boring life, no rules. I'm still going to be me! I'll probably still be dying my hair all the colours of the rainbow. I'm still going to be chatting with my friends every day and I'm still going to make happiness my number one priority.
I genuinely do feel better about the whole shebang after reading up on The Colour Report. Oh, FYI you guys you can find some pretty hilarious statistics in there, well worth a peep.
So, now you guys.
Do you ever think about what you'll be like in years to come? How will you ensure you're still living life to the fullest? :) Let me know!
*This post was written in collaboration with McCarthy and Stone. All views are my own (always!) and I only post about issues/topics that genuinely interest me.
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