Disclosure: This is a sponsored blog post in partnership with BIC. All opinions expressed are, as always, my own.
Current feeling…overwhelmed. Every Mama in the Suburbs has been where I am today. A little stressed, a lot tired, too much on the go. Over the next 60 days this family has got a LOT to get through. Work is keeping myself and Hubby on the run. School for the girls is moving at a record pace. Throw in a couple of trips, a family wedding, and my parents heading off to Florida for the winter all too soon and we’re back to overwhelmed.
When I realized I was burning the candle at both ends and not enough time was being spent with the people we love, I had what could only be called an epiphany. People are always talking about how life is short. But honestly, it really is. It was time to get my priorities in order, do some goal setting, and find a way to spend more time smiling and less time being Make time overwhelmed. It was time to begin a new habit to help me find the happy.
After all; “Happiness is a habit. Cultivate it.” Elbert Hubbard
My plan is a simple one. Make time for family, prioritize, and write it down! We’d accomplish this by getting all of our ideas in one place, and by listing all of our dreams. We’ve created a goals journal to help manage our time and map out our goals, big and small!
We each picked up our own little notebook, a ruler and these fun and trendy BIC® Cristal® Up Ball Pens. These little beauties are the iconic pen you remember in refreshingly vivid colours.
Then, we went to work.
I knew my journal needed to have two sections: One for personal goals and one for professional.
With coffee in one hand, and my favourite music playing in the background, I broke out my new favourite pens and just started to doodle. I love that the BIC® Cristal® Up Ball Pens come in fun colours and trendy designs, plus, their smooth writing style made it easy to just let the ideas flow from pen to paper.
Before long I had a list of goals both big and small.
Personal/Family Goals:
*spend more time with my parents before they head to Florida
*get everyone ready for the wedding in November – shopping!
*Family Trip to London England – dream big
*Trip to Greece for my 50th – long-term goal!
*Build a house
*Plan a family dinner
*Clean out the laundry room – yuck
Professional Goals:
*Pay off the company car
*Get those invoices done
*Pitch 3 new companies
*Update business cards
Some of these goals are easily attainable while, others may take years to accomplish, but it never hurts to dream – you really do have to start somewhere!
Carving out just 10 minutes with our family every day to write in our journal, brainstorm, reflect, and review has proven to be an effective way to be more mindful of our time and keep us on track. It’s a great way to gift ourselves a few minutes a day and to remind ourselves to just keep swimming, and to never stop dreaming.
these would be the perfect stocking stuffer for my step-daughter as she is an artist
a journal is a great way to connect with hopes and dreams. Makes them more “real”.
Those are lovely pens to make your journal more fun.
I journal and I find it a creative and therapeutic form of channeling my thoughts.
A great idea, I have been doing this for some time. You gave me some new ideas.
This past year has been the most horrific year of my life. My then 23 yr old daughter was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes. Went from a normal, vibrant, healthy young woman, to having to do four insulin shots a day. My husband’s youngest brother passed away Apr. 28. May 28 I fell down the steps and ripped my arm off my shoulder. June 29 – daughter moved away from the city. June 30 – my husband’s birthday – he dies. July, my truck breaks down. Aug. I have my surgery to reattach my arm – had to split my bicep, have five anchors, and a minimum of a year of physio to hopefully have 75-80% use. September our oldest dog was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic.
Why mention all that? Well, I have started a goals journal – one to make sure that I embrace everything in life that I can – so when these horrid moments happen – I can try and move forward. The first goal I have in my journal is to move forward, wake up everyday and hold fast to my memories. To each and everyday, be thankful for something. I read that goal everyday.
Oh Lee-Ann I’m so sorry to hear your year has been so devastating. Sending you love and strength and I hope this next year brings you joy.
Thank you, I am hoping it will be as well. =)
The colourful pens are perfect for me. As a visual person, they make it easier to organize.
A goals journal is a wonderful idea. I need to start doing this! 💕
It’s great to write everything down all your dreams and accomplishments, I love those pens and all the colours!
These are so colourful!!!
I haven’t seen these before! I do like sharpies but these Bic ones look really fun to write with!
Setting goals is the only thing getting me through the next 6 weeks of pregnancy! lol
These are such beautiful pens!
I love this! It’s so very simple and fun to look back on
Keeping a journal of happy memories is a great way to remember fun times and remind yourself of your future dreams.