DAY 8, JANUARY 9, 2023
I woke up this morning to baby birds chirping outside my skylight window, and I sat on the side of my bed and listened to them. Smiling, I thanked God for the ability to hear such sounds early in the morning.
The first week of the year has never ended. Although, in my mind, I know it has. I’m missing my Sunday off.
My week is full, and I have already started making decisions that will determine my outcome at the end of the week. I learned this when I read The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and First Things First by Stephen Covey, an author who wrote many planning books. I have read both books several times, and based on what I have read, I developed the organization of my life according to what I consider essential.
So I will look in my journal, assess what I didn’t do, and make a note, not about a new time to do it but a note about why I didn’t do it. That’s important for me. It could be that it was not the right time to do it or to say something because it would have come across as heartless. I make mistakes when I react to situations too quickly. I am not infallible. I thank God that I am not perfect or even semi-perfect. I am VULNERABLE because I want to relate to people and not be found self-righteous.
This week, I will do the following:
- Revise the first 10K of my new novel. It usually takes me at least four to six days to revise 10K. I like to send her what I call my final draft so that she understands the direction I’m moving in.
- I have a letter to write. I had decided to wait until after the Challenge, but my gut is telling me to do it now, which is what I will do.
- Get in touch with the person who donated the prize I won for my WEP win.
- Answering emails and text messages,
- Attend my writing classes and do my homework,
- Go to the bakery,
- Pick up fresh fruits,
- Do the accounting books for the Romantic Women Fiction Chapter of the RWA,
- Visit each blog in the Challenge.
I wish all of you a good start in the week.
Shalom aleichem
Pat Garcia
Hi Pat! I love the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People! I strive each and every day to live up to these ideals, although I can’t say that I ALWAYS do. : )
Best wishes
Donna M Atwood
D M Atwood
https://www.dmatwood.com
I enjoy writing in my planner and crossing out what I have accomplished. I’ve never thought about giving the reason for not doing what I planned. Not a good idea for me. There would be too many. “I didn’t feel like doing it today,” scattered throughout.
Hi, Pat! You’re so organized! I love how you note why you didn’t complete a task. You might someday teach a class on living intentionally. I, too, used a Franklin Planner for many years, but being a rebel by nature, I only used it sporadically, which defeats the purpose. Now I make lists on whatever scraps of paper I find as things come to mind, and then forget where I put them. I do keep some in an actual notebook, but if said notebook is not exactly where I am when that thought scurries through my mind, any writing surface will do. You inspire me. Blessings!
Hi Pat. I read a book by Stephen Covey myself but don’t remember the name of it. I was in the Amway organization trying to get rich and it was one of the required reads. Only thing I got out of that was a husband. So, I can’t complain. I’ll have to blog about that at a later time. Lol!
Hello Shirley,
Covey’s book made a big impression on me and helped me to start managing my time better. However, it is nice to hear you received a husband by reading one of Stephen Covey’s books. Not that I’m looking for one. My life is nice just the way it is. 🙂
Shalom Aleichem
Pat, it’s clear that you are trying to manage your activities and life. Back in the day, I used a Franklin Planner before they added an electronic version which I thought required much more time than inputting manually. When I worked for a couple of companies, Covey’s books were required reading by all managers. It was a great help to have everybody on the same page. Have a great week, Pat!
Hi John,
Reading Stephen Covey’s books woke me up to how much time I wasted everyday by not planning my day according to my vision. I had the Franklin Planner too. I haven’t used the electronic version but I am thinking very heavily about investing in it.
You have a great week too. I’m looking forward to co-hosting with you on RNH.
Shalom Aleichem
Back when teachers had autonomy over what they taught, I used to teach the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens to my class. I, too, have read the adult version and love it. I also make “to do” lists and order them by importance/necessity and just strive to keep working on it until it is done. There usually isn’t a due date for the items in the middle or bottom, so I try not to pressure myself to get it all done in one day. I hope you have a wonderful day, Pat!
Yvette M Calliero
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Hello Yvette,
That is so sad. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens could help teens. I didn’t realize that the school systems have taken so much authority away from teachers.
Thank you for telling me that.
Have a lovely day.
Shalom Aleichem
Pat, I applaud your tenacity. As years pass, I try to get as many “shoulds” off my list as I can. Two of them stole a peaceful Sunday for you.
Like you, I’m happy for songbirds and a window on the world here.
Hello Marian,
Thank you. The tenacity that I have comes from learning not to give up. To lean in but also to be flexible. It doesn’t always work and I fall down, but I get up and keep on trying.
Thank you so much for coming by.
Have a lovely day.
Shalom aleichem
Pat–You are so organized. When I read your to-do list, I think I’m a scatter-brain! I love that you started with the songs of baby birds. They can be so inspiring. Our neighbor behind us has a bird feeder and we’re so fortunate to share in seeing all the birds he attracts.
Hello Wanda,
You’re not a scatter-brain. I’m quite sure the methods that you use work very well for you. It is a good thing that we are all different.
And yes, birds are very inspiring. I love to hear them singing early mornings.
Have a lovely day.
Shalom aleichem
I adore the sound of baby birds! What a lovely way to start what sounds like a busy day. Best wishes, Pat!
Hello Karen,
I do too. I love to hear baby birds singing.
Thanks for coming by and have a lovely day.
Shalom aleichem
Hi, Pat! I love your TO DO list, and the fact that you are perfectly imperfect. Doesn’t that make life so much easier?
Well, I’m not going to keep you from that list. I will be backtracking to your other posts soon enough!
Have an enjoyable Monday!
Pat, as always you have that long “to do” list! I’m familiar with Steven Covey and have read The Seven Habits, but not the other one. What has helped me is taking a course in using The Franklin Planner, years ago at work. I believe Covey was involved in the development of that. I get one every year, and use it, although not every day as I should. Good luck with meeting your goals today!
Hello Maura Beth,
Yes, Stephen Covey was involved with the Franklin Planner. In fact, I believe he was one of the founders. That’s why I started using it. I haven’t used it for a long time though. I am thinking about giving the electronic version a trial run.
Thank you for dropping by and have a lovely day,
Shalom aleichem