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.
I have a fancy journal that I need to get some fancy pens for. I need to get the lists in my head down in paper!
Taking time for your family is so important, eating together is often a good way to get everyone together and to have a good talk too.
I love this method of goal setting! Going to get my own BIC® Cristal® Up Ball Pens ASAP! 🙂