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Don't just dream it - do it!

A dream without a plan is just a wish. But a dream with a plan, with goals and steps - well now we're talking!

That's how dreams come true! I want to help everyone who is called to a big dream, make it their reality.

Get a taste of fun goal setting with my Dream Action Planner. AND you'll also get the exclusive content of Aspire free in your inbox when you sign up. Hooray!

Yes, please!

Sweet release - the power of just GETTING IT DONE!

3/8/2015

2 Comments

 
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What's the longest something has been on your to-do list? 

OK, hang on, I need to clarify - what's the longest something that you do actually want to do has been on your to-do list?

My personal record is four years.

Yup, Laura McDonald, planner, to-do-er and goal achiever had something on her list for FOUR YEARS.

It's even been on my 100 Things To Do list EVERY YEAR since 2011. Seriously.

For as long as I can remember I've kept scrapbooks - like before "scrapbook" was a specific hobby that soccer mums did, involving special tools and stores and all that crap. I mean that I kept ticket stubs and napkins from restaurants and stickers and all that junk and stuck it into notebooks with a gluestick.

And I still pretty much do it the same way. Except that I've been stuck. Since 2011. I literally had boxes of memorabilia from March 2011 up until, well - yesterday! Because I never got around to doing the 2011 book.

I had the photos all printed. And since I had the 2011 photos printed, I had this story in my head that I couldn't print any more photos to do another year until 2011 was finished.

Problem was - 2011 was when I got married. And then had the most amazing honeymoon road trip across Canada. And I met my inlaws for the first time, and I lived in Germany ... and most importantly I was outrageously head-over-heels in love.

... with someone who for the last two years or so, hasn't been a pleasant energy in my world. Someone I don't like to think about.

Someone I wasn't real jazzed about spending a weekend reminiscing about.
But, finally, I did it.

First off, I prepared my time - I knew I had the whole weekend where I wouldn't need to leave my house so I could make an enormous mess to sort through 4 years of ticket stubs, brochures, and a heap of other crap.

Second, I prepared my environment - I acquired FOUR Channing Tatum movies, wine, chocolate and pizza delivery menus.

Third, I prepared myself - I invited my best friend over to keep me company, and I warned a couple of others that I might be a little teary and need cheering up.
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TWELVE hours, 260 photos and TWO filled scrapbooks later, I was done. 

I found the power of just f**king getting on and to-doing it! And I promise you, it wasn't anything like I thought it would be. And I figured out some really REALLY awesome things:



  1. I should be calling 2011 "The Year I Had A Freaking Amazing Trip", rather than "The Year I Made A Really Stupid Mistake". Or I could work on something catchier ... the point is the reframe :p
  2. The person I avoid with (probably unnecessary) fervour is not the same person I spent 2011 with - therefore I can still love and miss and have great memories of the 2011 version.
  3. However much tape and photo corners you think you will need for a project like this: double it.
  4. Ditto for chocolate
  5. It is much harder to get emotional if you maintain a steady level of Tatum.


So if I can finally cross something off my list after four years ... what are you going to tackle this week?

And, if I can complete my WEDDING album, post (nasty) divorce, with a smile on my face and genuinely fond memories - what can you face? I'm almost certain it won't be as hard as you think it will.

OK, I've gotta go - if you're keeping score, you'd know there are still three years to catch up on ... thankfully they weren't anywhere near as exciting :p

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P.S. If you'd like some support in getting to that project you're stuck on, I'd be honoured to help.

If you need Channing Tatum movie recommendations, hit me up on Facebook. But for more personal assistance, I'd love to work with you through Private Coaching. 

We can really get into the action steps for making your dreams come true - and work through those barriers together. YAY!
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2 Comments
Patricea link
4/8/2015 06:50:41 am

Hi Laura, I came to this post via your newsletter.

I just wanted to say that you are not alone in not getting something done, despite personal promises! I used to do cleaning out sessions every year before the Chinese New Year, as this is a cultural thing for us Chinese to do. My criteria for throwing something away is asking "Have I used this in the past 6 months? Will I use it again in the next 6 months?" Some people use 12 months, but the principle is the same.

In the past 3 years, I have not been doing this regular clean out as I have been facing some personal issues that stemmed from a failed business venture. It was my first, so the disappointment and sense of failure has been difficult to overcome. Plus I am still dealing with some health issues that the whole episode brought on me.

The last week, I somehow felt compelled to clean out stuff. Out went clothes that I had been hanging on to due to sentimental value. Out went expired or old stuff still in the kitchen cabinets. Out went old magazines and books that I was holding onto "in case I needed an article for reference". Out went emails, documents, links etc from my computer, external drives, and Internet browsers. At the same time, I reorganised how stuff is kept and arranged. My kids saw what I was doing and became motivated to clean out their own toys and books!

The sensation of clearing out all these deadweight (my term for useless items) is enlightening, refreshing, and joyful. And seeing the empty spaces that open up in my home and virtual spaces has been wonderful.

I am an organiser by nature, so you cannot imagine how this entire episode has delighted me. Today, I am working on the collection of plastic and paper bags that we have kept, as my husband believed that they would come in handy one day. Well, they've been in the same space for 4 years and untouched, time for them to move.

Wishing you a clear week ahead. Much love.

Reply
Laura McDonald link
5/8/2015 05:41:21 am

Wow Patricea that sounds like an amazing achievement - I'm super impressed! I love that you found the process joyful - isn't that just magic?
You've inspired me to chuck out some of my "in case" junk this weekend!!

Reply



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