Project Planning

Hello, Butterflies

Do you Love Project planning or do you Hate it? Today I would like to share with you how I started Project Planning about a month ago. 

I struggle to project plan, I would break a task into chunks but they end up being too big of chunks and leave me feeling overwhelmed.  So one day I decided that there had to be a better way to project plan, so I  started researching on Youtube. I ran across this video by Michelle Chouinard, she broke down how to project plan as a writer. If you would like to see her video Project Planning in a Bullet Journal.

After watching Michelle video the light bulb come on. I know what I was doing wrong! I was taking the task and breaking them into big of chunks. I was also not giving myself a goal for each task I was doing. So by the end of the day, I did not complete what I was hoping to get done.

I am not a writer like Michelle is, it was time to try to adapt her method to my projects. I am a blogger, a student, and entrepreneur, also wife and mother. So I have many projects going on at one time.  

So I sat down with my Traveler's Notebook, open it to a blank page in my project insert. I add 6 categories to the page Home, Personal, Business, Blog, Other, and Pending.

I wrote each project that I have going on at the time. I left the blog column larger than the reset due to adding blog post ahead of time. This part is pretty easy. 

Now it's time to break out the sticky notes!

On the following page, I made 2 columns Project and Next Action. Will I took it one more step and did the same on the page next to it.  I decided that I would make the page on the left just for Blogging and the page on the right would be for the rest of my categories. This way I could keep all blog project together. I would be also changing the sticky notes on the left more than I would be on the right. The project that I place on the right is usually longer projects.

How I have it laid out here blues and pinks are my project names and the yellow sticky notes are the action step I am working on. 

Each week I will add in 3 or 4 action steps to do during the week if I complete the action step for a project I will add the next action step for the project that went with that project. By the end of the week, I make sure that I have completed the action steps I put in at the beginning of the week and move any action step to the following week if not completed.

I encourage you to check Michelle Chouinard video Project Planning in a Bullet Journal.

If you have any questions please feel free to leave them down below.

As Always Have A Good Day Butterflies, See You Soon.

Tips How to Reach Your Goals

Hello, Butterflies

Today I want to share with you some tips that I use to help me reach my goals for the day, week and month. 

Let me be honest I was not that person that set goals for myself, I did not see the point in doing it I was not going to reach them.  When I did set them I just picked something that was important for my mom and not me. With doing that I just did not put in any work into reaching it. 

Now that I am older I look back and think why did I not set goals? Goals are there to help me make changes I want and not someone else. So then I starting goals and still finding at the end of the year not reaching them.  I knew I was doing something wrong! When I was younger I was shown here is your goal now get it done. I did not know that there were steps to get to them. 

So over the years I have read, watched Youtube videos and sat in on speakers talking about goal setting.

So now I had the basic way to set goals and to break it into small steps, but still was not reaching them. So I decided that it was time to set down and work on my goals! In the meanwhile, I found that I was also needing a list of things to do so that I could work on the goal each day.

Planning Routine

I sat down at night planned out the next day, and add one of the small steps in for my goal. I would get up the next morning and look over the plans I had set the night before and put them order on how I want to get them down.

That was good and all but found that I was not focusing on getting the task wrote down done. I found myself cleaning the kitchen and putting away clean clothes instead of working my tasks list. 

Preparing

So each night I would clean the kitchen and any other small task before bed so that I knew I would be working on my plans for the next day. I would also lay out my kid's clothes and my the night before. After a couple of weeks, I then started to get out bowls or plates for breakfast instead of rushing in the morning.

 When I did all these things the family had more time to talk about things they had to do for the day which would set the day to be a good one for all of us.  The days I would oversleep and be rushed to make breakfast the day was off for the whole family.


Weekly Planning 

I was not there yet of making the goals I had set in my daily plans.  So I would then set down and plan my week out with just my goal plans so that I knew ahead of time what I need to do get done each day. This worked out great, but then I would hit bumps in the road. In the middle of the week, I would have to add a task that needed to get done right away and would take most of the day. This where I learn to double up to small goal task or just move everything a day head. 


Talking about Goals

I would get stressed out over having to move my goals to another day. So it was time to talk to my husband about the problems I was having with my goals. Telling him what my goals I had set for myself help me as he could give advice and reassure me that I could meet my goals. He would ask me before we went to bed about the day's goals if I got them done. 

If there was any way he could help me get them done if I did finish them that day. Like he would take the kid's to the park to play for an hour so that I could catch up and not feel like stressed about not finishing the goal.


Project Planning

I need a way to split my task and my goals, so why not turn them into a project and set a deadline to get each project to get done. This way I could take the small goals and turn them in to project for the week and I would not stress about moving them around each day if something else came up. 


Tracking Goal Progress

Now I need a way to track my goals. So being a woman that like to make lists that what I did and each time the project was started I would put one line thought the bullet for the project. When the project was done I would put the second line across the bullet to show that I had completed it. By the end of the year, I was reaching some goals and others very close to finishing them. 


Don't Be Hard on Yourself

My husband reminded me that I should not be hard on myself for not finishing some goals as there is next year and I would figure out a better way to get it done.


Reward 

The year after when I set up my goals and broke them into a small project I also put a reward that I would give my self for reaching my goal. My loving husband would also help with the rewards for some of my goals which help me reach the goals I had that year. 

So If you are having problems reaching your goals to give these tips a try.

• Planning Routine
• Preparing
• Weekly Planning
• Talking about Goals
• Project Planning
• Tracking Goal Progress
• Don't Be Hard on Yourself
• Reward 

If you have any questions or suggestions please free to leave them below in the commits. 

Thank You for stopping by!

As Always Have A Good Day Butterflies, See You Soon.

2018 Goals

Hello, Butterflies

I know it's only November and you have 2018 goals! I start the process of goal setting in October for the year 2018. Today I would like to share with you how I start the process of goal setting. 

The reason I start goal setting in October is that October is my drafting month. By the end of November, I will have my goals. In December I will have my goals into a small project that I can do throughout the year. So when January 1st is here I can start my goals for the year. 

To start I have 7 questions I will ask myself at the beginning of October.

• What do you want?
• Why do you want it?
• Whats holding you back?
• What will you do to get it?
• How will you prioritize it?
• How will you reward yourself?

I will write these question into my Bullet Journal or in an Insert I have in my Traveler's Notebook. This way I can go back anytime and look at the question or answer it. I will make sure to look at the question at less once a week to keep them fresh in my mind.

I will also us the Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely "SMART" when I am writing my goals down. 

At the end of November, I have my goals! Now its time to brack them down into small projects. I have written a post on my project planning if you would like to see how I do project planning CLICK HERE. 

This way each month, each week and each day I am working on my goals that I have set for the year. I will also do a goals review in September to see what goals I have completed so far and ones I should finish by the end of the year. If I see a goal that I will not reach I may move it to the following year and better plan that goal within my project planning.

I hope this helps your process of setting your 2018 goals.

If you have any questions or suggestions please free to leave them below in the commits. 

Thank You for stopping by!

As Always Have A Good Day Butterflies, See You Soon.

Planning Method GTD Getting Things Done

Today I want to talk about the planning method GTD. You’re probably asking yourself what are you talking about methods to plan. Yes, there are many different kinds of method to planning. GTD “Getting Things Don” is the science behind stress-free productivity. David Allen in 2001 proposed the GTD method rests on the idea of moving planned, tasks and projects out of the mind by recording them externally and then breaking them into actionable work items.

The main principle is to get everything that is on your mind out of your head and in a trusting external memory file systems, so you can have focused on what you actually have to do now.

1.      Collect

Collect everything that catches your attention like, letters, emails, phone calls, reports, personal ideas and memories. So, to begin this process you in to haver and inbox, one that you have setting on your desk one in your planner somewhere.  If you have both place with an inbox just make sure to empty the one from you planner into the one in the desk each night.

2.      Process

You need to decide how many times you would like to set down and process of your collected, for example each Sunday for the week that coming up. You need to ask yourself Does it required action?  Now it’s time to make two piles a yes there is an action or no there is no action.

3.      Organize

No, Their No Action: At this point you need to put it in one of the three bucket

·        Trash

·        Reference (file away but can go back at any time and look over)

·        Someday or Maybe (a project or activity you want to do but does not have a date.)

Yes, Their Action: At this point you need to put it in one of the four bucket

·        Calendar (Example: Bill Due 21^st) Time and Day Specific

·        Project (Example: Organize the kids closet) Take multiple step to complete or Can be complete in a given time frame

·        Action list (Example: Cleaning work Desk) Is a reminders list that can be done at any time. You can categorize (Example: Errand, Computer, Phone calls)

·        Waiting for list (Example: waiting for approval from Jan to move on)

·        Project support materials (Example: Declutter the house) This would-be information can be details, plans, list any supporting information for the project.

For you project list you should have a corresponding action step on your action list.

I hope this has showed you how to plan using the GTD method.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email or leave your questions below.

Next week I will be bringing you another planning method. Please Subscribe to see the next planning method.

Till then have a Good Day and Plan on PlanneryButterflys.

Whats In My Travelers Notebook

Hello, Butterflies

Today I want to share with you what is in my Traveler's Notebook. My Traveler's Notebook is an A5 size and holds 7 inserts. In my TN I use a Bullet Journal Styal of planning, with some printed inserts. 

The reason I use a TN for my planning is that I enjoy Bullet Journal but like that I can also print inserts and add them to my planning routine. I also enjoy that I can have my sections divided with pretty dashboards. 

Before I show you images of "What's In My Traveler's Notebook" I would like to talk about the sections or inserts I have.

  Insert :

1. Index insert, If you would like to see how I use an Index within a TN check out this post. How I use Index in a Traveler's Notebook

2. Tracker insert, This insert is for all trackers, challenges and monthly project list. 

3.Monthly Calendar insert

4. Weekly and Daily insert, This where I do more of my Bullet Journal Styal planning. 

5.Business insert, This where I have business notes or project planning. 

6. Note insert, This for random notes or list 

7. Collection insert, This insert holds like my kids wish list, when did I last list, family size list, Crayola super tips color chart, billing log and yearly goals.


 So now let me show you images. 


1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

This is what in my Tn. 

So what do you keep in your Traveler's notebook? 

If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to leave them below in the commits. 

I would love to hear from you!

Thank you for stopping by

As Always Have A Good Day Butterflies, See You Soon.

March Set Up In Binder

Hello, Butterflies

Today I want to share with you my March Binder Set Up!  This post is for the butterflies that use a binder to Bullet Journal Planner. 

Let me tell you a little about the binder that I am using. I have a mini three-ring binder that I have bought from Target. I could not find a design in the binder that I enjoyed looking at, so I printed out a design on four sheets of label paper. Then cover the binder inside and outside. I have had this binder for two years now and need to recover it, sorry for the rough look of the binder. 

If you have been reading this blog you know that I carry a Travelers Notebook and love it to death, but I also use a three planner that is my desk planner. 

Last week I have posted my March set up for my T.N. and if you like to see it Click Here to see how it turned out.  I have some Butterflies out there that also plan in binder style planners. So I will be sharing how I have my March Layout in my mini binder. You will see that some of my T.N. Layouts and my Mini Binder layouts similar. I do decorate the Mini Binder, but not as much as my T.N.

In the Mini Binder, I have a Cover page, Weekly spreads, Weekly overview page and Daily sections.

In the Mini Binder, I do not have Trackers or Collections in this planner. I do have a large section of my project planning. 

If you would like to see how I have my project planning in my Mini Binder please feel free to leave a commit below. I would be glad to share how it works for me. 

If you enjoyed seeing how I set up my Mini Binder for the month of March please leave a comment below. If you would like to see more Binder planning also leave a comment below.


I hope you enjoyed seeing my March Set Up!  

If you have any questions leave them below in the commits. 

I would love to hear from you!

Thank you for stopping by

As Always Have A Good Day Butterflies, See You Soon.

Planner Lineup for 2019

Hello, Butterflies

Today I want to share with you what my planner lineup like in 2019. This year I have expanded to three planners. This year I will be using Happy Planner, A5 Travelers Notebook and a B6 Travelers Notebook. 

This year I have a changeup how I am planning, but I am still using the Bullet Journal System. 

The Happy Planner I am using it as a Bullet Journal. This planner is my Desk Planner. This planner is my Catch all Planner.  

This Planner Holds: 

Future Log
Color Log for 2019
Mindline Swatches & Towbow Swatches
Running Blog Post List
2019 Goals
Project Plan Sheets
Temperature Log for 2019
Mother Nature Log 2019
Mood Log 2019
Cleaning Log 2019
Reading Log 2019
Family Movie Night
Family Wish List

January Month Calendar
Blog Work Log 
Insert Work Log
Youtube Stuff Page
Project Plan For January
Master To - Do Page
BrainDumpPage
Note Page
Habit Tracker for January
2 Page Weekly 
Meal Plan/ Shopping List

I know this sounds like a lot but I still had plenty of room to grow for the year.

In the A5 Traveler's Notebook, I do not have as much in it as the Happy Planner.  This TN Holds 7 Inserts.

This Planner Holds: 

Insert 1:

January Month Calendar

Blog Work Log 
Insert Work Log
Youtube Stuff Page
Project Plan For January
Master To - Do Page
BrainDumpPage
Note Page
Habit Tracker for January
2 Page Weekly 
Meal Plan/ Shopping List

Insert 2:
2019 Calendar 

Insert 3: 
Line List Insert

Insert 4:
Project Planning Insert

Insert 5:
Collection

Future Log

Color Log for 2019

Mindline Swatches & Towbow Swatches

Running Blog Post List

2019 Goals

Project Plan Sheets

Temperature Log for 2019

Mother Nature Log 2019

Mood Log 2019

Cleaning Log 2019

Reading Log 2019

Family Movie Night

Family Wish List

Insert 6:

Brain Dump

Insert 7:

This Insert is Blank (I am not sure how to use this)

This Planner I carry from room to room, I write in this planner when I am away from my desk.  Each night I will set down an add a new task, appointments, and things I need to do for work from my A5 Travelers Notebook to My Desk Happy Planner. This way I can clean out my mind before I head to bed.

The B6 Travelers Notebook is the on the go planer and does not get used each day. Like the Happy Planner and the A5 Travelers Notebook. This TN only holds 4 Inserts

This Planner Holds: 

Insert 1:

2019 Monthly Calendar 

Insert 2:
Notes 

Insert 3:
Collection

Insert 4:
Meal Plan/ Shopping List


These are my planners for the year 2019, If you would like to see how I have them laid out I will be posting Each Friday showing each one in more details for the month of January. 

I hope you have to enjoy seeing my 2019 Planner Lineup. 

If you have any questions please free to leave them below!

As always Have a Good Day Butterflies

My Planner Routines

Hello, Butterflies

Today I want to share with you my planning routine. I find having a routine helps me be more productive with each day. 

In the beginning of me using a planner, I didn't have a routine and found that I was not keeping up with my planner. Things were slipping by because of lack of a routine to check my planner. 

So let me share my planning routine and then I will share some tips on how to start a planning routine.


Mornings:

• I update trackers
• Look at my monthly calendar (to check for Events)
• Look at my weekly spread ( to see projects or to do's for the day and week)
• Then I will set up a Daily ( I will break down to do's or project into smaller task)

Middays:

• I will update any project or task that I have completed on my weekly spread.
• I will update my day of the completed task and look over task I am moving on to next.
• I add any notes or thoughts on task or projects.

Evenings:

• I will mark off completed task and move any task to another day that I did not finish. 
• I will add any project or to do's that have popped up and need to be completed that week.
• I will again look at the task or project I have planned for the next day. 

One of the tips I have for you when your setting up a routine for your self is to make a list and stick it to the front page of your planner. This list could be just your morning routine you want to have. Then when you feel like you have that down and no longer have to look at the lists add your midday routine to the same list. This way you are now training your self to look what you want in the midday and still seeing your morning routine so you are not forgetting what is on that list. You will do the same when you have your midday routine down you will then add your evening routine down to the same list. 

You will be looking over the list each time you are adding a new section so your keeping in mind of the other routines you have in place.

I have also done this and add a checklist to check off when each item is done, this way when I see that the list is full of check marks each day for a month I know I can remove the list from my planner.

I hope this helps you be able to setup your own planning routines. 

If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to leave them below in the commits. 

I would love to hear from you!

Thank you for stopping by

As Always Have A Good Day Butterflies, See You Soon.