The strangest thing happened to me this week.

On Monday I woke up with my throat slightly scratchy but once I was up properly, I was okay.

However at work I had little glimpses that all was not well until I couldn’t even speak with my scratchy throat without coughing in the afternoon.

Well, I went home to take some medicine and was feeling better about 24 hours later.

Still not perfect but better.

Now when these things happen, I won’t lie – my first instinct is to think about all the things I need to do and why this is inconvenient for me.

Right?

But then yesterday I thought, “what is the good in this?” Of course it was not good that I was coughing my lungs out.

However, I have read a lot (I’m well on my way with my non-fiction book and I finished a fiction one bringing me up to 3 books completed out of my monthly goal of 5).

I also got to spend some more time with the kids than I normally would. Some extra snuggles (but no kissing!) and reading time.

And I cooked a meal from scratch in the middle of the week. This never happens – I heat from the freezer during the week

So there, I found 3 things to be thankful for in the midst of the scratchy throat and blocked ears business

Which brings me to this week’s quick tip.

The first rule of time management (and of life, really) is realising that you always have a choice.

Always.

Often people tell me they don’t have a choice because x, y and z.

Actually, that’s not true.

You always, always have a choice.

I’ll give you this – sometimes those choices are Super Hard but they’re always there. It also takes courage to admit those choices.

Let me explain.

1. I’ve been saying I can’t go to Weigh-Less and gym on a Saturday morning. This weekend I realised I’m lying to myself. Technically I could do it. It’s just super hard and tight, time-wise with the kids’ breakfast and gym.

But I could do it if I really wanted to wake up 30 minutes earlier

2. A lady told me she didn’t have time to do anything for herself.

When we explored a little more, she did, in fact, have time, but she was too tired at night after the chores were done. Don’t you hate chores?!

But it’s not true that she doesn’t have a choice. She does. She could, technically, do something for herself first IF SHE WANTED TO and then finish the household chores. She could leave some chores for the husband (!).

It takes courage to say, “I’m choosing to rather do household chores than spend time on myself”.

3. Still someone else was talking to me about a work situation last year.

She said she didn’t have a choice in leaving her employment because she couldn’t find another job.

I told her to accept responsibility for where she was at. Stop complaining and realise if anything’s to change, you’ve got to make it happen.

If she didn’t want to go out and find something else, then to consciously say to herself, “I’m choosing to stay at my current company because of X, Y and Z” otherwise to realise she has a choice.

Well, this same lady sent me an email last week. Apparently I kicked her butt and she decided to go out and look for another job. She told me she’s SOOOO happy and is so glad I talked tough to her.

Your coaching challenge this week is to…

1. Identify 1 – 3 situations where you’ve been saying “I can’t” or “I don’t have a choice”.

2. Change your words and say, “I’m choosing to do __________ because of ________________” At the very least it will help you to accept your circumstances or it will empower you to change your words and start choosing to do things in other ways.

3. Contact me  if you need any help coming up with options to change your circumstances.

Any aha moments for you? Share with me please!

When I talk to people about goals, casually or formally, I get many mixed reactions.

Some people are ardent goal-setters. Admittedly, these are about 5% of the population, if not less.

But most people have problems with goal-setting.

1. Some say they don’t want to set goals because they’re scared of failing.
2. Others don’t think they can stick with it, so why bother starting.
3. Still others just don’t believe in setting goals. I’ve shared before how almost everything in my life is as a result of goal-setting so there is NO persuading me otherwise.
4. Some say they don’t have time to be setting goals. I say you’ll have more time once you plan and go after your goals.

I just reviewed my January goals and I did 14 out of 15.

You could see it as I didn’t do that one or, as I prefer to look at things, I accomplished 93%.

Even if I’d only managed one, 7% accomplished is better than nothing, right?

If you have one of the reasons above, or another, this is just for you.

Why don’t you give goals a chance?

Set just 3 goals.

Make them small so you’ll have victories quickly.

Do you want to…

- Organise your desk drawer
- Make and follow a menu plan for one week this month
- Go to sleep one hour earlier for a week.

etc

Write out your 3 goals and keep them visible.

Go for it! You can do it.

Your February goals form is in the welcome pack if you’re feeling more ambitious.

How many goals do you typically set every month? (big or small doesn’t matter)

Guess what?

I had three parcels waiting for me when I returned from our holiday.

1. a gift from a friend
2. some rubber stamps I’d ordered – one of them has my word of the year, create, on it
3. a book I have TWO essays in

If you buy the book, my entries are on 6 August (my birthday) and 18 October (a random second date I was allocated). Here is the link on Amazon

I also have essays in the Moms and Motherhood version released around Easter last year and the Personal Heroes version which was released on 11 Sept.

The quality of this book is beautiful.

Do you know the best thing about having two pages in this book?

I’m inspired to get my book done!

How about you?

Are you inspired by your goals?

On Monday I told you how to choose your goals.

Today let’s talk about how to go from goals to reality.

My goals audio and handbook set goes into much more detail.

I could write about goals for the whole year – there is such a lot of ground to cover but instead, I’ll share the 3 tips that I think will get you at least half way there.

1. Write them down

If you’ve never written down your goals, then they’re only in your head and they’re dreams.

When you write down your goals, you “seal” your intention by putting pen to paper, or words on the computer document.

I’ve proven this in my own life and so have many clients, current and ex, as well as workshop attendees.

I firmly believe that just writing them down gets you a good way ahead of the pack.

Are your goals written down somewhere or are they on a mental list?

2. Print them out and stick them somewhere

This goes very nicely hand-in-hand with number 1.

Once you’ve written down your goals, you can stick the paper in a drawer or file folder, never to be looked at or you can stick it up somewhere.

For the record, I still think you’re better off just having written them down but making them visible is a secret tool in your arsenal.

Last year on the blog (http://OrganisingQueen.com) I put a picture of my goals. This post still gets TONS of real-life comments from people (sadly, not on the blog!) as well as emails.

Do you know why?

Because I put my goals in a little 10 X 15 frame on my desk because I honour them.

Where are your goals?

3. Make yourself accountable to someone

Most of us would do something more if we had accountability.

E.g. There’s a weight loss programme here in South Africa that is very successful. I think only a small part of the success is the food part but a HUGE part of people’s success is the weekly accountability. You’re accountable to your group leader so you go and weigh every week.

This is the same thing that happens with coaching.

When I know I’m talking to my coach in two days time, I knuckle down and get my tasks done. It’s the accountability that motivates me to action.

How about you? Do you have someone to be accountable to?

A like-minded friend, your spouse, a coach?

If you don’t have someone, I’d love to be your cheerleader. Book your personal session now.

Start putting those 3 steps into action and I guarantee you’ll be at least halfway to your goals, if not a lot further.

Look out for the Feb goals form on Monday.

We’ve been back home from our holiday for a few days now and the house is restored to order once again.

I said to a friend recently that there really is no point to going on holiday unless it’s for at least 5 days.

You need some time to justify all the packing and unpacking

beautiful door at uShaka marine world in Durban

The holiday was better than I expected – the babies behaved themselves, the weather was “beach good” 9 out of 10 days and I relaxed a lot. I even read 4 books. I read the 4th one in the car on my way back home.

Now to start thinking about the next holiday. I’m the type of person who likes to have something to look forward to so I need to know I’ll have another mini-break in May to tide me over for the next few months.

And while we’re in forward-thinking mode, let’s talk a little bit about how to choose your goals.

Your annual goals are not just a to-do list.

Every thought that enters your head is not a goal. That’s just something to do.

A goal, on the other hand, is something that will compel, excite and motivate you on the way to your life purpose.

E.g. If you want to do this little project and that little project, ask yourself if it’s contributing to your life purpose and it’ll become very clear what stays and what goes.

Do you read Simple Mom?

She also writes at Incourage, a Christian blog I follow, and in the last couple of weeks, she wrote a post about her 4 main goals for the year.

I loved that for the simple reason (pun totally intended!) that there is no clutter in her goal-making process.

She had just one goal in each of these 4 areas of her life – fun, personal, family and professional.

I have 22 for the year

Although I do have main goals and then some “cousin” goals (got that term from Jon Acuff). A cousin goal is one on the sidelines. When you achieve the main goal, you then start working on the cousin goal.

My main business goal for the year is to get my book published in print and on Amazon’s Kindle.

That’s it. Once that’s done, I have a few smaller cousin goals

So here are just 5 guidelines when choosing your 2012 goals:

1. do they excite and motivate you?
2. are they big and juicy?
3. are they specific?
4. do they contribute to your purpose?
5. given the right support, accountability and resources, could you achieve them?

If you get to answer them all “yes” you’re doing well.

Otherwise, let’s set you up with a personal goals session on Skype.

And if you haven’t yet downloaded your Jan goals form, it’s in your Time Management Purpose Pack on my website. What I really should call it is a mini goals form because these are the mini goals that will help you get to your (big) normal goals.

How are you doing on your January goals?

As many of you know, I’m a big believer in goals.

But sometimes you just can’t be bothered to think about goals.

I get that, not really personally, but from working with all my clients, I get that everyone is not always excited by the goal-setting process.

However, I do think that if you’re going to succeed in life (and everyone’s definitions of success differ), you need to take some action and direct the course of your life.

It’s like this – you can be a passenger in life or you can be the driver.

I’m definitely a driver and I want you to be a driver of your life too.

And that’s why I strongly suggest (encourage) you have at the very least, a word or theme for the year to guide and steer your thoughts, words and actions.

I’ve shared before that my words for the last couple of years were simplify, consolidate, courage and this year my word is create.

Click here to read all about CREATE

Let’s take my word and I’ll show you how I use and will use it this year.

3 examples:

1. Last week Sunday the house was a mess but the kids were being playful so I decided to CREATE some special memories by playing with them on the bed. My instinct was to tidy up but my word steered me to CREATE.

2. In two weeks time when I’m back at work with the personal trainer, I know I’m going to be tempted to be lazy. I will ask myself, “what kind of body will I CREATE with this behaviour?” and that will prompt me to haul myself to the gym.

3. In working with my clients, I’ve thought about how I want them to feel working with me. In other words, what kind of experience do I want to CREATE? I want to CREATE a safe haven where they can be themselves 100% authentically without judgement and feel my love and care. I think I do this naturally but there’s always room. One client mentioned a birthday coming up so I sent her a book I thought she’d like. She was delighted. These moments of happiness is what I want to CREATE when people think of me.

Okay, got it?

Your turn.

If you don’t yet have your word or theme for the year, think about what you want your life to be about and go for it.

If you need help, remember to book your Personal Strategy Session with me to start 2012 on a great note.

By the way, I’ve had some very positive feedback from when I shared personally how I used the reflection questions from last week. It really created some aha moments for me and many others. If you haven’t reflected yet, it’s not too late (it’s never too late!) – do it.

Have you chosen your word yet? If yes, great! Please share how you’re using that word this year.

Otherwise, maybe your word/ theme has just become an aha for you? (I can only hope!)

PS remember you get a free goals form when you sign up to my newsletter list (as well as the Time Management Success Pack and some other intermittent goodies like product discounts, etc). The one for January will be automatically delivered and Feb’s one will be delivered in the last week of January.

I’m writing to you from Ballito, a seaside town right on the Kwa-Zulu Natal coast.

Yes, I’m on holiday at the beach!!!!!!!!!

We are right on the beach and I’m loving the sound of the waves. Bliss. I’ve even painted my toenails bright blue to celebrate the summer weather

A quick reminder that

1) My friend, Beth, has her fabulous Declutter Calendar in print now. Check it out and grab your copy.

and

2) I’m celebrating by holding a buy one, get one f.ree sale for Beth’s and my readers.

It’s really easy – buy whichever product takes your fancy (Organise your Home is really popular at this time of year) and put another product of your choice (at the same or lesser price) in the notes to seller section. And I’ll get those to you asap.

This offer is only good until midnight EST (Sat 14th 7 am South African time).

Here is the list of all the products – have at it!

I like to think that reflecting on the year past is the same as tying a nice ribbon around a package – finishing it all off nicely

It seems to me like I can’t get on with the new year properly unless I reflect on what went well, what didn’t go well and most importantly, what I want from my life for the next year.

Do you agree?

Well then, let’s get to it.

Grab a notebook and pen or simply open up a new doc on your computer (but please close all other sites – this is meant to be a time of reflection, not distraction).

What went really well for you?

Why do you think that is?

Is there anything you want to duplicate this year?

What was challenging?

What do you need to let go of to move forward?

What do you want more of in your life in 2012?

That’s enough to chew on for now.

I’ll share one answer to each question to give you an idea of how this works.

What went really well for you?
I wrote the book!

Why do you think that is?
I carved out solid blocks of time and just did it.

Is there anything you want to duplicate this year?
yes, how I created time pockets for self-care, relaxation, getting fit and creativity (self-expression)

What was challenging?
When things out of my control happened and threw me off course (gall bladder operation!)

What do you need to let go of to move forward?
Unrealistic expectations of myself – I may feel like Superwoman but I’m not

What do you want more of in your life in 2012?
Rich, meaningful relationships

Ready to have a go?

Have at it.

And remember to book your Personal Strategy Session with me to start 2012 on a great note.

Do you care to share any of your answers with me too?

PS thanks for the FABULOUS words of the year you’ve been sharing with me. If you haven’t read through the comments, please do – there’s gold over there.

PPS I have verrrry exciting news to share with you on Monday. I’m celebrating a friend’s success.

Hope you had a good New Year’s celebration but most of all, that 2012 will turn out to be awesome for you.

I’ll admit – I was not sad to see the back of 2011.

It was a very stressful year for me what with my website being hacked so many times (who does that anyway?!), my gall bladder op and then my daughter Kendra was sick for most of December and was hospitalised for 5 days.

That was not fun.

I did have some wonderful highlights like finishing writing my first book (this month I have to finish working through all the edits and then submit it) and of course working with all my wonderful clients.

But it is a new year and one thing I’m good at is putting the past behind me.

I still don’t have all my goals finalised but I do have my one word sorted out.

Read all about my one word and to let me know yours too.

During the month of January, I’m going to talk about these 4 topics:

1) reflecting on 2011 (I normally do this between Christmas and New Year but sick babies = no time to reflect much)
2) choosing your theme for 2012
3) choosing your goals (here is your January goals form) link to http://takechargesolutions.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/Jan2012.pdf
4) how to go from goals to reality

What are you most looking forward to doing this year?

This post is specifically written for those of you who, like me, embrace paper for your planning.

I love this time of year when all the calendars and planners for the next year start appearing in the stores. And on the blogs

There is such a wide selection that the choice can get really overwhelming.

So how do you choose the best one for you?

Here are a couple of factors to consider:

1. Paper or electronic?

Do you prefer paper or electronic? Don’t feel pressured to use an electronic diary just to keep up with your friends if you’re actually a paper gal.

I love Outlook as much as the next person but I need a paper planner for 95% of my planning.

That said, if you are techno-savvy, use it happily. Please just remember to back up your data regularly.

2. Size

Your planner has to be portable if you’re going to use it most effectively.

Decide on a comfortable size and stick to that. If your planner is HUGE, no matter how cute it is, you’re not going to use it unless you’re physically strong!

I scaled down a size for 2012 and I’m very excited to be carrying less.

3. Space per day

Do you like a week-at-a-glance or a page-a-day format?

I like the weekly format because I do weekly planning. And there’s just enough space to jot down your 3 – 5 Eat the Frog tasks every day.

But more than that, I like space for notes, not just appointments.

4. Monthly tools

Do you need a monthly event calendar and a budget form? What about a monthly goals form?

Or is that not an issue for you?

I’m giving out a goals form every month to all those on my newsletter list.

5. Other tools

Do you need lots of name and address pages? Or note paper at the back?

My advice to you is decide on your non-negotiables and make peace with the rest. And make sure you LOVE your planner so that you WANT to use it.

I actually don’t think there will ever be a perfect planner for me because I’m quite fussy. You’d never think, right?

My non-negotiables are size, space per day and I like lots of note paper at the back for all my personalised lists. I actually schedule time during this last week of the year to personalise my planner.

Next time, keep these points in mind before you go shopping!

Marcia Francois is a time management coach and speaker who inspires busy women to break out of overwhelm, make the most of their time and take purposeful and focussed action so they have the time and freedom to live life to the full. Visit http://purposefultimemanagement.com for your free Time Management Purpose Pack.

I only bought my 2012 diary (planner) on 1 December!

I do believe this is the latest I’ve bought my diary in about 5 years.

It’s a combination of not getting to the shops with enough time to have a good old browse and just not seeing something that jumped out at me and said, “YES!”

While I liked the A5 size I had this year, I found half of it went unused because I just don’t have as many appointments as I did in years past.

Effectively I was only using the notes section and a tiny portion of the week-at-a-glance.

So for next year I’ve gone even smaller (A6) in a gorgeous teal Italian leather. I’m super-tactile so I already can’t stop touching it.

It’s still a week-at-a-glance format with notes paper on the right but it somehow feels less overwhelming to me.

It’s from Legami, by the way.

And whenever I write a post like this, all of you very helpful readers tell me I should use online tools.

People, I’m a paper gal – years ago I kept trying to be an electronic person (and I’d stop being effective because of trying to use various online tools that didn’t work for me). Now I’ve fully embraced that I need to organise my life on paper.

If this is speaking to someone out there, embrace your paper-loving self.

Have you bought your diary yet?