Celebrating my growth!

Two nights ago, I was in a bubble bath at 9:00pm.

What’s monumental about that?

I was facilitating an all-day staff retreat the next day and I have a bad habit of waiting until the last minute. I struggle with time blindness and feel like I have more time than I really do, which means I have spent many a late night writing flip charts or finalizing an agenda.

I vowed that for 2023, I wouldn’t do that.

And, for my first retreat of 2023, I didn't!

By 9:00 pm, handouts were printed, flip charts were written, and the car was packed! I had time for a relaxing bath and got in bed on time. I’m so proud of me.

Yes, I would have liked to have finished earlier but this is growth.

What did I do differently?

First, was just awareness that I wanted to make this change and awareness of the barriers – mainly me.
Second, I use a year-at-a-glance calendar so that I can check off the days and actually see the amount of time I have.
Third, I started using another visual tool that lets me see the tasks per project.
Fourth, I put the tasks on my calendar and Action list earlier.
Finally, and maybe most importantly, I remembered what it felt like to be up past my bedtime writing flip charts or finalizing content – STRESSFUL, FRUSTRATED and TIRED. And knew that I didn’t want to feel that way again. It’s not fair to me or my clients.

And, I didn't.

This is growth for me and a great start to the new year!

I’m curious, what are some of your tips and tools for meeting your own deadlines?