Gearing Up for September

Around here, September marks a fresh start. After 3 months of fun in the sun, it will feel good to get back into a routine. It's also a good time to review the year, reflect on successes, and make changes if necessary.




Here are some tips that will help you cross the finish line of meeting your goal(s) at the end of the year:
  • Work Space - Do you need to do some filing and organizing? Are there outdated post-it- notes stuck around your space? Is your chair comfortable? Do you have enough room? How is the lighting? I recently moved my desk to another part of the room and it really made a difference.
  • Supplies - School supplies are being sold everywhere at some really good prices. Now is the time to stock up! I like the composition notebooks (used come only in black and white) that now come in lots of colors. I use one for each project I'm doing. Every idea, deadline, contact, etc., goes in the color-designated notebook. I've found this works best for me instead of a file folder for current projects. 
  • Schedule - How is your writing schedule working? Are you taking ground? Even if it feels slow and steady, it counts! Are you trying to work in the morning, when you do your best at night? Have you been able to balance your personal life with your professional life? Take a good look at your writing routine. If you're not producing what you had planned, it's a good indication something needs to change. Don't be afraid to do it.
While practical tips are important for success, are you enjoying the journey? Are you pacing yourself so you don't miss the "little things"? Or are you sprinting to the finish line and the scenery has been a blur?

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Life is a journey, not a destination." Isn't it true we can be so focused on where we need to go that we are not enjoying how we're getting there? 

As summer ends and a new season begins, I hope you'll review your year thus far and be energized in the coming months. But mostly, I hope you're enjoying the process!


~~~
  After raising and homeschooling her 8 children and teaching art classes for 10 years, Kathy has found time to pursue freelance writing. She enjoys writing magazine articles and more recently had her story, "One of a Kind", published in The Kids' ArkYou can find her passion to bring encouragement and hope to people of all ages at When It Hurts http://kathleenmoulton.com



8 comments:

Anne Duguid Knol said...

Dear Kathy,
Your posts always give me new heart Shall start by reorganizing my work space and I do love new notebooks...onwards and forwards lol

Susan Hornbach said...

Wonderful writing advice Kathy. I do admit my desk is a bit messy,lol

Karen Cioffi said...

Great tips, Kathleen. I always stock up this time of year - there are some amazing sales. Only thing is, I now have so many composition books, I'll have to start giving them away. :) And, as you mention, it's also a good time to step back and evaluate how you're doing.

Kathleen Moulton said...

I love new notebooks, too. I'm glad my posts energize you!

Kathleen Moulton said...

Thank-you, Susan!

Kathleen Moulton said...

I'm a sucker for the new colors and patterns of those composition books for $1 or less. Thanks, Karen!

Mary Jo Guglielmo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary Jo Guglielmo said...

I'm still like a kid in school; I love buying new notebooks this time of year.

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