2020 goal setting – and how to stick to them!

As we turn to the end of the year and the beginning of the next one inevitably we start to think about goals and resolutions for the year ahead.  So I just wanted to share some tips with you for 2020! 1. Spend time really thinking about your goals. One good way to do this is an “audit” of the previous year. What were the … Continue reading 2020 goal setting – and how to stick to them!

How I read fifty-two books a year

  One of the goals I set myself in 2018 was to read a book every week for learning and pleasure. I really enjoyed it -I’ve always loved reading but struggled to find the time, and when I succeeded I resolved to do the same thing in 2019. My lovely friend Kirsty (check out her amazing cancer recovery journey Hope.sprints on instagram)asked me a few … Continue reading How I read fifty-two books a year

Mental toughness versus self-care

Because I’m committed to self improvement and planning, I spend a lot of time reflecting on what could have gone better. I’m a perfectionist, and the ‘action replay’ part of my brain is well developed and sometimes hard to shut down. I think a lot of what’s out there, whether harmless Pinterest quotes or fitness guru insta live chats, portrays self improvement or development as … Continue reading Mental toughness versus self-care

Seven things I wish I’d known when I started my first bullet journal

  Don’t bite off more than you can chew   My first journal had a whole bunch of lovingly crafted spreads that I just didn’t use! When you first start out, there are so many ideas (looking at you, 300 BuJo Spread Ideas Buzzfeed articles!) and I felt like I had to try them all. Daily drawing spreads, mood trackers, lunar cycle trackers,  meal planners … Continue reading Seven things I wish I’d known when I started my first bullet journal

So, you’ve quit your bullet journal – seven ways to get back on track

Often when I talk to people about bullet journaling (generally after they grab my notebook and demand to know what’s happening with it!) they confess that they have tried bullet journaling but gave up or not stuck to it consistently.   If you want to try to build and stick to the habit of regular bullet journaling, here are some suggestions:   Quit your other … Continue reading So, you’ve quit your bullet journal – seven ways to get back on track

The productivity tomato… how Pomodoro technique helps me stay focused

When I have a heavy workload I sometimes struggle to stay focused. Basically the monkey part of my brain takes over, and I alternate between being stressed about how much there is to do, and getting distracted – neither of which actually helps me to achieve anything! I came across the Pomodoro technique when I was googling “how not to procrastinate” a few years back … Continue reading The productivity tomato… how Pomodoro technique helps me stay focused

Bullet Journal Weekly Spreads: How to Set Up Your Weekly Plan

Ryder Carroll doesn’t really work with the weekly spread in the formal Bullet Journal method, but personally it’s probably the most key part of my goal setting and planning routine. Partly this is because I am a total perfectionist and have a real tendency faced with the first few ‘imperfect’ days of a month’s achievements to lose focus – basically, I love a fresh start … Continue reading Bullet Journal Weekly Spreads: How to Set Up Your Weekly Plan