Are You a Perfect Planner or Unparalleled Procrastinator?

 

I’m a type A person caught in a procrastinator’s body.  I come from one of those families where the day after your birthday your mom starts saying that you are almost the next year old.

For example, your birthday was yesterday and you turned 12 but the next day and until almost the next birthday you are referred to as almost 13 or basically 13.  The result is that you didn’t get to really enjoy 12.  Anyone else feel me?

Just to give you a heads up that this post contains affiliate links.  This doesn’t impact the cost to you, but helps to offset the cost of running this site.  You can read my full disclosure here.

In my Type A mind my response has been above and beyond.  I decided that we don’t need to anticipate everything so much that we don’t enjoy the here and now.  While I agree with that idea, there has to be a happy medium.

I have ruined the last morning of vacation many times. How? By making a mad dash to get packed the next morning because I didn’t want to “give up” my last night of vacation.

 

 

 

If you need a little help in getting life in order from the brink of chaos, grab this organized busy mom’s cheat sheet.

I have started the school year in complete turmoil and already totally behind because I didn’t want to give up my break to plan.  This is even more complicated when you are teaching your own kids because there is no winging it with these people (they are mine after all). They smell weakness.

At the first sign of a break in routine, they will cause a diversion by trying to kill each other and the day is ruined.  Full disclaimer, these are not my children because I am too busy saving lives to snap photos.  This photo is a good staged representation.

I know some of you have been planning for this upcoming school year since last December and if that brings you joy, Rock On! It wouldn’t bring me joy.

However, winging it is not the answer.  Planning is essential, especially for subjects like science and art where supplies have to be purchased.

Grab my science supply list (with science project ideas).

I needed to figure out a way to make planning a habit and ritual that became something to look forward to.  This has gone far beyond planning curriculum and lessons, but really taking stock of how I was addressing my most precious asset- time.

Planning to Change

A little over a year ago, when I had really had enough I decided to make some changes.  I first accepted that I might have a problem (that is the first step of any recovery program) and decided I needed some help (also a good step).

I read Crystal Paine’s book Say Goodbye to Survival Mode and guys, it spoke to my soul.  This book may have even changed the entire direction of my life. (BTW it is on sale right now for $3.33 on Amazon!)

I decided to take back some time and I relaunched the blog and quickly decided that there was more I could be doing with my time.  If you have ever ready anything by Crystal Paine, you know that you always leave with a reading list.  I read several books to keep me motivated… Jen Hatmaker, Lys TerKeurst,  & Brian Tracey were all devoured.

Things were starting to take shape.

I bought a planner and the simple truth is that when the planner was used I was happier, more productive, and my entire household felts the effects.  I met other passionate people and not to sound corny, but I felt like my fire was lit again.

What I learned was that procrastination wasn’t protecting the now, it was stealing from the future.

Gets exciting, right? There is more. Then I discovered online courses.  I took a course to help me with how to make my little piece of the internet better.  Then I found the ultimate homeschool organization course and Kristi helped me completely change how I approach the year, plan, organize, and execute our busy homeschool.  I felt like I was on top of things.

Then I wasn’t.

Unfortunately, that is exactly when you get lax. I got busy writing my book and just living life and I let some of the planning slide.

Guys, I decided to school year round. For some unknown reason, I didn’t think it necessary to plan for the summer.  I truly have absolutely NO idea what happened to me. The results were not good.

Luckily, I didn’t panic.  I had to do some course correction.  I am back on the wagon and with the help of my dear friend Jenn, I am backing up from the chaos and getting my life back in order.

What type of planner are you?

Are you a planner or a procrastinator? I am a recovering procrastinator who is getting more committed to my plan .  My Achille’s heal is that I have to set aside time to plan (planning to plan) or it doesn’t get done.  I have to plan in flexibility or I feel claustrophobic. What about you?

Have you started planning for the coming school year?  I haven’t and I am completely ok with that.  We have been following my relaxed plan for the summer (that I did make time to put together)  and everyone seems a bit more content. Get a copy of my free fillable weekly planner.

I am planning my week’s priority so that I can be productive.  I also know when I will start finalizing my school plans for the fall (again planning to plan). All of that means that I am getting rid of the chaos.

Head to the Facebook group and let me know what your favorite planning tool is…