There are a lot of distractions in this world.  I have to remind myself everyday about staying focused. It is a real struggle for me and it is really important to learn how to keep focus on what is important.  The reason I keep that scripture on my desk is to remind me to guard my heart. There are a lot of unimportant things pulling my heart in different directions.  I find myself sometimes in the middle of doing things I had no intention of starting, or scrolling through magazines and social media sites. That is why I had to develop some habits to help me keep focused on specific tasks. So today I wanted to talk about how to keep focus on what is important.

Focus On The Important. Ask important questions, are there somethings I would really like to get done today or tomorrow?  Are there some places I really have to be one time this week. The summer is going to end very shortly. Remember what the first three weeks of school are like? have 4 children, there were days I did not know whether I was coming or going.

Now is The Time

Before school starts get ready.  Now is the time to focus on what is important.  If you do not like to feel out of control prepare yourself for the weeks ahead. You and I both know the crazies are going to start. Even during the days I homeschooled I had to prepare for the future.

Decide On The Important Things Now

The time to decide what is and will be important is now before all the appointments and school dates start rolling in. This is also the time to decide what are the important things. If you do not take the time, between you and your spouse to make these decisions before they become apparent, some will be decided on impulsively.  When decisions about life are made impulsively, they can feel like a ball and chain later.

How to Keep Focus On What is Important

We have to priorities.  A lot of events, dates and list are going to be coming your way soon if you have school aged children. If you do not want to feel totally out of control you will have to prioritize.  Prioritizing sometimes involves doing what has to be done first, first. So urgent and necessary maybe where you have to start.

Get a Method to Write Things Down and

Write It Down

I know that I have mentioned this before but I started a bullet journal a couple of years ago.  I wrote about mine in a previous post.  If you want to read it click on the highlighted words.  I have tried a number of things and they just did not work.  Including putting dates and times in my iphone.  Now for some people that may work really well. For me it does not. I have walked into the doctor’s office more than once and been told, “Mrs Janet, I am sorry but your appointment was yesterday.” 🙁  When I said, “I put the date in my phone.” The receptionist looked at my phone and just smiled because I put it in the wrong date.  That is no fun.

Find A Way That Is Your Own

So if you are not a fan of bullet journals that is fine.  Choose another system.  Composition books are on sale now for 0.50$. I know because I bought 25 for a classroom. They are the perfect size to carry around with you.  If you start a system you have to take it with you.  TAKE IT WITH YOU EVERYWHERE.  This is very important. If you forget to take it with you, you will also forget to write things down.

Writing things down can be very therapeutic.  It can also be beneficial in helping you remember. You can format your system anyway you want to. On the months I am particularly busy I put everyday on the page.  January was kind of crazy for me so I listed the weeks out in boxes. Do whatever you want to. The most important thing is to write it down.  If you always have your notebook with you jotting dates and appointments in it you can take it home and put things in the format you like.

Start Something

I think the reason I like a bullet journal if because I can make it my own, so just start something. If you do not want a big expense a composition book is a great way to start.

Have a Business Date With Your Spouse and Prioritize

I mentioned prioritize because it is just as important to think about the future and plan ahead.  Your life is filled with all kinds of choices.  The number of decisions that have to be made are overwhelming sometimes. If you sit down with your spouse before the school year begins and have a meeting of the minds it will make the decisions easier to handle. For example, should our kids do extracurricular activities, is reading going to remain a priority?  Is church going to remain a priority? Should I order their clothes and supplies rather than search endlessly for them.

Prioritize

Priorities are different for everyone.  Time is incredibly important to me. I also value rest and relaxation. If they are also a priority for you schedule them in your new system you created.

Don’t let the new school year and lack of focus drive you crazy. Take the time to sit down and prioritize. Make your goals part of you personal planner. Don’t let your planner or journal become a burden. Make it your own and use it to help you. Take it with you everywhere, to every meeting, classroom and appointment. Feeling out of control can be awful.  You do not have to feel like your head is spinning and using a bullet journal or any notebook can make a BIG difference.  Decide today that you are going to be proactive this year.  Honestly, Janet

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