Consistency

I feel like I'm accomplishing more lately. I still feel like I have a long way to go. But, it's nice to feel as if I've accomplished some things. My new things...that I have yet to use are the Covey Matrix and Block Scheduling. We'll see how it goes. I'll get the tasks all set and times that I'm going to do certain things. After that, it'll just be a matter of plugging things into the right slots. And...to be consistent in continuing to do that. I think that's one of my biggest issues. Consistency. It's a big deal. I also need to figure out a way to plan on a consistent basis as well. The best system isn't going to work unless I actually do it.
I also need to find a way to have the tasks visible and add habits as much as I am able. It's seems that if I can make a habit out of something...I'm much more likely to be consistent.

Aha Moment

I've been having more thoughts about how to work with my brain. I've been thinking lately about figuring out the why behind things for other scenarios. It's mostly involved other people and other people's lives. I had an 'aha' moment a few days ago when I realized that I need to apply that to my own life. I need to figure out why I do what I do. I'm hoping that will help me find solutions and strategies to make my life better. I would love to actually get things done and feel like I've accomplished something. I think I would feel better about myself and be able to share a better version of myself with others.

Future Plans Ideas

I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do for income. I participated in a webinar today about publishing a book. I've also listened to a couple of others about speaking and blogging. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I feel like there's a message I need to share with people. I'm just not sure what that is right now.
I've been having thoughts about traveling to share my message and help people. While I'm in those locations I would also take photos of things/places that are unique to that area. I want to do something to help people.
It would also be great to figure out a way to get some passive income going. The thoughts I've had about that are doing something like a book or a stock photo site.
As far as photos go...at some point I'd thought to share some in 'coffee table' format.
I think part of my issue is that there are too many options. There are several things I'd like to do. I mostly want to do something that will help others.
I've also given some thought to going back to school and earning a Masters of Social Work.

TED Talk

I just watched this Ted Talk. It's fabulous. I felt like I had experienced some of the same things she has experienced. I have felt some of the same things as well. I still need to figure out how my brain works and how I can assimilate into a society that doesn't really like brains like mine.

Planning 2018

I've been working on my bullet journal for 2018. I've been coming up with ideas about the new year and how to make things work. I've been thinking about the things I can do with the kids. And, about things I need/want to accomplish. I'm getting excited. I'm trying to get closer to living a half way normal life. I still miss Layne - yet, at the same time trying to get used to doing things on my own. I know if I'm able to get a plan going - I'll be able to accomplish a few things. I feel like the last little bit I've had some days when I've been able to get a few things done. That feels good. I want to keep the momentum going.

Income Options

So, I've been thinking more about what to do for income. I feel like there are multiple options. I also feel like what I would like to do the most - I have no idea where to start. I've been attempting to do some research. I've also been trying to do a couple of figure out who you are kinds of things. I really have a desire to help others and attempt to do something that I would both be good at and enjoy.

The Message

Jonny and I have talked about career stuff before. This morning I asked him about mine. Okay...so, what he thought my strengths were. The first thing he said was that I was good at sharing opinions. Then it was, you like taking lots of pictures...and traveling...so do that. Oh, and you have lots of blogs so that could be in there too. You could travel around taking pictures and share stuff with people. How did he know that's what I would LOVE to do? I have thought before about having a travel site (which I've started), taking/sharing lots of photos along the way, and sharing some sort of message. I told him that part too - I feel like there's a message I need to share with others. We talked about finding my message. Oh, and where to share...YouTube, FaceBook. I would love to travel around, meet people, share a message that mattered, take pictures of awesome places/things - and just share it all. Guess I better figure out my message!

Multiplying Time

This was published a couple of years ago. I just found it. Good stuff.

Bullet Journal

I was out of town for a week. I have since watched several videos about how to bullet journal and actually put one together for myself. We'll see how it goes. I like how I can do my own format. I can add whatever I want where I want. I still need to work on following through on actually accomplishing the tasks I set out to do for the day. I'm hopeful.

Purpose

This blog was going to originally be about helping my kids. We were doing the public school thing at the time and I realized I had gained quite a bit of experience and a few tips on how to advocate for your child in the public school system. We have been homeschooling for the past several years. I no longer need to work with the faculty/staff to help my children with their IEP goals and 504 needs. I don't know all of the ins and outs of the current system. There were also other professionals I was working with in regards to my children. I'm not working with them anymore either. So, not much of a need for a blog that covers that anymore.
I'm going to be focusing more on my journey. In all of that helping with the kids - I discovered that there's a 96.5% chance that I'm Adult ADD. I learned quite a bit about Executive Functioning at the time and now realize that it's going to be a journey for me to figure out what works best and how I can achieve my goals and fulfill needs. So, instead of this being about my kids...it's now about me.
My kids also have some executive functioning issues. That's how all of this started. The things I will be learning, sharing, and trying to work on are also things that I will be helping them with as well.

Figuring It Out

I was getting ready for the day wondering why I wasn't quite able to get things done. I was feeling like something was wrong with my brain...again. I have always struggled with accomplishing things, being productive, and procrastinating. I was wishing my brain worked differently. It was a moment of questioning why others are able to be productive and move through the tasks of their day. Questioning why I'm not able to do that. I can't seem to get a handle on the 'to do' list...right now I'm not even managing regular routines very well. As I was thinking all of this - a thought came to my head. It was a very clear, "There's nothing wrong with your brain. You just need to figure out how to use it.". I think most people might be offended if they were told they needed to figure out how to use their brain. It might be taken as a not so subtle hint that they weren't using their brain at all. For me, it made sense. It gave me some hope. I was being told that I am capable and just need to figure out strategies that work best for me. There is nothing wrong with my brain. It just doesn't work the same as those I see around me accomplishing their daily tasks, their annual goals, and their 'bucket lists'. Truthfully, most of the time I'm just trying to make it through the day. I don't have annual goals or a bucket list written down. I have thoughts about what I'd like to have happen - but, not really sure what to do with them as I make my clumsy attempt to make it to the end of the day. So, my new thing is going to be figuring out how my brain works and what strategies will work for me to conquer the world.

Help With Finances

Today I met with some people who are helping me with finances. I'm so grateful for them. It feels like a great blessing to have the help and know that there are people that are willing and capable of helping out. I'm also pleased about being able to trust them to have the best interest of our family in mind as they do their work.

Strategies

I had several thoughts today about some different ways to keep track of tasks and projects. I need to figure out something. I am determined to figure out a way to be productive and motivated. I'm going to attempt to find a strategy to organize tasks for projects so that I can move forward with a few. I really do want to get things done. I get excited about possibilities. I seem to do better with the planning part than the execution part...which is a bummer because the planning is supposed to be the means to the end of getting the project done. Someday.:}

Writing It Down

I'm trying to be more consistent with planning. It needs to happen daily. At this point, I'm working on making sure that is part of my routine. My plan is to eventually get a few more routines going so life will go a little smoother. In the next couple of days I'm going to be working on some lists. I'm thinking to get lists made and tasks scheduled in so they're more likely to get done. I'm also going to be working on a list of projects - for the house, for the yard, for me, for the kids, and with the kids. The intention is to get things written down so I can have it all in front of me and decide priorities. It seems that only then will I be able to be most productive with planning.

Pro Napping

So, I did an experiment today. I took a nap...this morning. I realized that my eyes were already trying to close. I caved. I decided it would be better to take a nap than it would be to just try to ignore it and half heartedly get not very much done. I worked pretty well. I slept for about an hour and was able to tackle the day with more energy. No huge 'being productive' miracles happened. But, I did decide that from now on I will take a nap if I'm not really functioning and I'm able to carve out a few minutes...I'm going to do it. It ends up being much more productive in the long run and I feel better about what I'm doing and who I'm doing it with when I'm actually coherent. So...I guess there's that.

Current Thing

I've been tired lately. It makes it hard to get things done. My current 'thing' is to find a way to work with it - somehow push through anyway. I'm not sure what that will look like. My first line of attack is to attempt to get a decent night's sleep. I'm hoping if I can do that it'll help with energy and motivation during the day.
I decided that after all of the strategies I've tried to come up with the be productive I better just start with where I am - get to the basics of getting things done. So, here I am...at the bottom...and ready to work my way up.

Grand Plans

I had grand plans today to accomplish a few things. Okay. So, maybe the plans weren't grand. Maybe they were mostly in my head. It seems that no matter what kinds of plans they were - they didn't happen. I took a nap this afternoon. I feel better physically and emotionally - but, still feel bad about not getting enough done.

Getting Started

Today we were doing a twenty minute clean up. Jonny was working on dishes. He made a comment about how we should just get in the habit of doing the dishes after a meal. Hmm...what a great idea. I told him that we used to be in the habit of cleaning up the kitchen after a meal - but, not so much anymore. And yes, we need to get back to that. There are routines we need to get back to and others that we need to incorporate into our day. I think it's great when the kids mention it. Well, I mostly do. If they're mentioning something sometimes it means we've hit a new low. That's the part I don't like. The part I do like is that they are thinking about issues and solutions. They are more invested in helping out if they understand the reason for it. I think that's big. So, I'm glad he mentioned something. We'll need to get on that one. We're meeting tonight. Maybe we'll discuss household routines. At least it's a start.

Moving Forward

I need to get my act together and figure out how to make being productive work on a daily basis. I have in my mind something like this: "Someday Today!". I need to make an honest effort to just get something done each day. Something is better than nothing. There's too much to do. I also feel as if I could be more energized and productive if something was actually getting done. I think that's how it's supposed to work - the more you accomplish the more you feel like accomplishing. Anyway. It needs to happen.

Productivity

I've been doing a terrible job of being productive these days. It might be because of the holidays. It might feel like life needs to be slow right now. I know it has to be bad when the nine year old states that we need to get back to doing jobs. She's completely right. I've been thinking to get back to routines next week.