I can make a plan like nobody's business, and I know it drives other people nuts. I love a plan. I love lists and tasks and I carry my planner with me practically everywhere I go. Writing things in my planner makes me feel like I'm being purposeful in how I spend my time.

There is something about the brain dump that comes when I write things down. I tried using google calendar, Cozi and a few other apps to keep everything easily accessible and easily shareable but it just wasn't working. My brain still felt like it was swimming all the time. A few years ago I ordered an Erin Condren LifePlanner * based on a recommendation from a friend and I loved it! It's a bit more expensive because of the Canadian exchange rate, the shipping and the duties I seem to end up always paying since the dollar took a tumble a couple of years ago- but I haven't found one I like as much and, frankly, if I'm going to use something every single day I had better love it.


I use my planner to keep track of all the kids activities, my design business, my coaching and fitness programs. I like to make it look pretty and I keep all my reminders there- and still I don't have all my shit together.

I  was having a great chat with a friend the other night and I was admiring her dedication to getting to the gym every day and that I just couldn't seem to get my shit together to get back into it. She remarked that I was the most organized person that she knows and I told her it's all an illusion. Okay maybe not all of it. On one hand I feel super organized, I've got my budget, schedule and to do's in one place. On paper I am perfectly organized and moving forward. Real life is often another story.

Sure I've gotten much better at being on time, no one has missed an activity yet and orders and business tasks are done on time. Having a party? those boxes all get checked and things usually go off really well even if I have to take a few short cuts or prioritize and drop things off the lists. My house is clean because I have a husband who keeps on top of it and we have someone come in every 2 weeks to get to the nitty gritty that I never have time to do (It's heaven and WAY cheaper than a divorce) and my stress level goes way down after I get everything down on paper. We even manage our monthly budget and keep track of upcoming household expenses that we need to plan for in my planner.

My real challenge is in following through when the goal/task is focused on me or something I want. How many of you can relate to that? It's all about what our children need or what others need and there is very little fuel left in the tank after those obligations are met. I've lost track of how many times I have written that I'm turning a new leaf and putting myself first. I preach about self care and  I have this mental block that comes into play whenever I start to focus on me. I've always had this nagging voice in the head that holds me back, whose fear of failure keeps me from pushing past my comfort zone, I get out of it for awhile but then when I start to see real progress and things start to get uncomfortable instead of propelling me forward fear takes hold and I start to slip into old habits. It's sad really, I know what I need to do, I can help others get there but getting myself there is taking time. I need to stop getting in my own way.

I did a vision board webinar this week and I have plans to sit down this week and actually make a vision board. I need to take action and drastically improve my time management in order to finish projects for me (hello- Christmas quilt of 2015- I'm coming for you).

One other thing I'm going to accomplish this weekend is finishing my office area organization. I dare you to find a crafter who's office didn't look like the pre-IKEA white boxes image right after the Christmas rush. I got it 90% there the first weekend of January- it still sits unfinished because I've had other stuff to do- a hockey tournament, orders, school stuff for the kids. No more excuses! I'll get it done and show you the proof next week!

Wish me luck!

*if you use my referral link to make a purchase from Erin Condren, I receive a $10 referral bonus*

Stopping the Chaos and organizing my life

My life has been an organizational train wreck.

I have been unprepared and running around like a chicken with my head cut off ever since we returned from our vacation in Newfoundland at the end of August. School started and with that came the craziness of trying to get the kids into an earlier bedtime routine, packing lunches, getting things ready for the next day, cleaning the house and trying to get my workout and business power hour in.

I have felt so out of control. I can't seem to keep on top of anything and that in turn makes me feel like I'm breathing through a straw, running a marathon, with an elephant sitting on my chest. You're trying to imagine that now aren't you? It sucks.

I've tried Cozi, Google calendar and ziplist. My phone calendar is alright but I write faster than I type. I needed something that I could see my family schedule and my beachbody schedule at the same time. Something I can flip open and quickly know what everyone has on the go all week in one glance.

A friend of mine showed me her planner. She said it changed her life. I wanted one. I NEEDED one! And I can write it off as a business expense so why not? She gave me her referral code so I got $10 off my purchase and she earned a $10 credit to use on her next purchase.

There are few things in life that make me giddy. I soak up moments and memories and have a goofy grin on my face taking in my kids experiencing life. Material items are not so much my speed- but fabric and paper make me giddy. I have been waiting since I clicked submit for my order to arrive. At first I thought I was having a panic attack, then a friend pointed out that panic and anticipation/excitement can feel very similar (and let's face it I'm used to being panicky). I couldn't keep myself from checking the fedex website 9,000,000 times a day to find out where my package was.

It finally arrived yesterday and I'm already feeling more organized . Just looking at it makes me happy.

I spent some time last night filing in October and organizing the rest of this week. It's funny how I feel so much lighter this morning. Way less stressed. I've laid out all of our family activities, hockey practices and meeting and all of my business related tasks. I've broken it all out in manageable chunks and I don't feel overwhelmed this morning.

I really love the positive energy that radiates from my book. There are motivational sayings and places for my to write my own thankful thoughts each week. I like that there is a spot for goals and a place to write notes (re LISTS!!!) on each side of the week's days and spaces for notes under each day. I'll probably use those spots to write in the meal plan and my workout schedule. 

I wish I could tell you this is a sponsored post but it's not. I spent my own money and theses are my honest first impressions. I'll report back at the end of the month to see how it goes- I'm still in the honeymoon phase with my new planner.

If you want to check it out for yourself you can follow this link and you will get $10 off your first order:  https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/lisaboutilier0619