“A September to Remember”
Time is flying by! I cannot believe that it is already September, and I’m focused again on monthly planning. As I was praying to close out the month of August and prepare my mind for the month ahead, I heard the Lord say, “September will be one to remember, September to Remember.” I got excited about this revelation. I know some of the activities that I have planned for the month and firmly believe it will be a memorable month. In today’s blog post, I’m giving you a peek behind the scenes into my world and how I plan to juggle the competing priorities that lie ahead. In the process, I will be sharing planning tips to help you navigate the months ahead.
September to Remember
This month, I have a lot on my plate. I’ve learned to reframe a full schedule as a month full of “purpose” and “passion pursuits” rather than a “busy month.” Can you see the difference? I’ve also learned the importance of saying “no,” punting, and pivoting based on the order of importance. This makes the ability to reframe possible.
What on deck…
As I start the final year of my doctoral program, I’m embracing my senior status with enthusiasm. My top priority is to complete my dissertation proposal defense, a significant milestone due by the end of November, but I’d like to wrap this up by the end of September. I would much rather obtain a sign-off on my dissertation so I can finish my data collection in the next few months. I am also presenting a research poster at a conference. This will require a trip across the pond (international travel). I am thrilled and can’t wait to share more when I return.
Additionally, it’s back to school season for my children. Make sure you check out my blog post, Back to School Transition: Planning for the School Year – Career Mom Community. There are some systems and routines that need a bit of refinement. This will be a priority in the month of September as well. You can also check out my blog post, 3 Essential Routines Every Working Family Needs – Career Mom Community.
In terms of my business, I have several stretch goals. Stretch goals are aspirations that well pull me out of my comfort zone and stretch my time. These are goals written in pencil as opposed to pen. They include finally finishing my e-book (a far overdue project), amplifying my blog on social media, and hosting accountability group sessions with my community. You can sign up here –> Prayer & Plan (mailchi.mp)
Planning and Prioritizing
Juggling competing priorities and a full plate requires more effective prioritizing than time management. By focusing solely on time management, we tend to approach to-do list as if every task has equal importance. This can lead to potential burnout. Frantically juggling a hundred little things without making real progress on what truly matters causes unessary stress. Effective prioritizing, however, requires us to take a step back and ask ourselves: “What are the most important things I need to accomplish today?” In doing so, we are able to direct our energy toward tasks and goals that align our needed activities, goals, and ambitions.
How to plan for the month ahead – monthly planning tips
Here are 5 simple ways to plan for the month ahead:
- Reflect
- Refocus
- Brain dump
- Prioritize
- Plan it
Planning for the month ahead does not have to be overwhelming, no matter how much there is to do. Breaking the process down into five simple steps can help us to stay organized and focused during monthly planning. Start by taking time to reflect on the previous month, considering what went well, what challenges arose, and what goals were achieved or need more attention. Next, refocus by clarifying your intentions for the upcoming month. For example, think about what areas of your life require more intentionality, what personal or professional goals you want to prioritize, and how you want to show up for yourself and your family.
Once you have a clear vision, perform a brain dump to get all your thoughts, tasks, and ideas out of your head and onto paper. This helps reduce mental clutter and provides a clearer picture of everything that needs attention. With everything laid out, you can prioritize by identifying the most important tasks and goals, deciding what to focus on first, and what can be delegated or postponed. Finally, plan it by organizing your priorities into actionable steps and scheduling them into your calendar. While you are planning, it’s important to also ensure that there’s room for both productivity and rest.
To Wrap it Up
As you plan and prepare for the month ahead, whether it’s September or any other month, remember it’s not about doing everything. Focus on doing the right things well. Embrace this process to create a month that is both memorable and impactful. Leave me a comment on this post letting me know what you are looking forward to in the months ahead. I hope you enjoy these monthly planning tips!
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