I plan.

I set goals.

I have trackers and to do lists.  I have many journals and agendas.  I’ve even dabbled in digital; however, I always go back to pen and paper.

I am goal oriented and when I saw the Stampin’ Up! December 2016 My Paper Pumpkin kit, I knew that I needed to use it to get a little more organized.  The holidays cause me to spin in a downward spiral where I don’t know what is coming or going in every aspect of my life.  By the time the holidays are over I am craving routine and organization.

This kit has plenty of paper, transparencies, washi tape, a rotary stamp and a Stampin’ Up! write basic black marker.

So what’s My Paper Pumpkin? It’s a monthly kit created by Stampin’ Up! that comes every month to your door. It has everything you need in order to create a project like this or a set of cards, etc. It’s easy and I love it.

I have many planners.  One for my family life, one for my creative life and also a notepad where I write my work to-do lists. My work to-do lists are also incorporated into my family planner since my family and work life are not always separated.  The way I do this is by noting some priority work items that must be crossed off on those particular days within my family planner, my Get to Work Book.

On top of all of that, I track my steps in my Fitbit app, as well as my food intake in an app called Lose It.  In addition, I have an annual budget using Excel.  Finally, my weekly meal plans jump from the family planner to a plain piece of paper.  I use post it notes that I stick in my family planner to create shopping lists or important things I need to remember.

It’s a lot but it helps me keep my head on straight… and most often getting every family member where they need to be on time.

When life is on time, I am on top of all these planners.  However, things have most certainly not been on time lately.

As soon as this turkey settles, it will be back to business in the Caines household.

Like the beginning of every new calendar year, I set goals and reflect on what has worked or hasn’t worked. I decided that rather than use this My Paper Pumpkin kit as a memory book, I would use it as a planner to set my goals.  Something I intend to review two or three times throughout the year.

First, I thought about the different categories of my life that I wanted to review as well as create new goals for. I used the transparencies as dividers and for the front and back covers of the goal planner. I used some of the stickers from the kit to create tabs for the dividers within the planner.

Next, I created a quick chart at the beginning of the goal planner so I could easily see what I wanted to achieve. This exercise was essentially a brainstorming session. No music. No noise.  Just me, my pen and this piece of paper.

Once I finished brainstorming, I put the pages together in no particular order separated by each category.  I noted a quote and some goals in each section of the planner.   You can see some of the pictures below of each category.

This planner is a work in progress and essentially is a jumping off point as to how to go forward in 2017.  For certain, I will have some of the habit and spending trackers included in my family planner or my new bullet journal. Like any goals, they need to be measurable and attainable.  However, you also need to follow up and try your best to meet them.

I am always striving to be a better version of myself.  This may not be the prettiest project that I have created in the past little while but it may just be the most useful.

I’d love to hear what works for you and what doesn’t work.  If you want to hear more about My Paper Pumpkin or how I incorporate planning into my life, drop me a line any time.

Happy planning and welcome to 2017.

Cathy Caines, Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, St. John’s, Newfoundland Labrador

 Follow Cathy’s blog for inspiration and fun! http://www.inthecatcave.com

1. If you are interested in Stampin’ Up! and are living in Canada and don’t have a demonstrator, I’d love to be your Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. Feel free to drop me a line to get a catalogue or if you have any questions/comments at inthecatcave@hotmail.com.

Supplies and images used are © 2016 Stampin’ Up! unless otherwise stated: Stampin’ Up! My Paper Pumpkin December 2016 kit, Whisper White cardstock, black archival ink, basic black  Stampin’ Write marker

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