Planning & Organization – Page 2

Is Tech-Free Even An Option?

Hi! If you found yourself here by way of title interest, you will discover my technology detox experience interesting. However the reason being, I believe we can all use a detox from technology. I forewarn you, it isn’t easy going tech-free. The idea is a mere distant reality but perhaps I can prepare you for aspects that are unexpected and challenging.

“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.”
Historian Christian Lous Lange

Instant Gratification

As a culture, across cultures, and the world, we can agree we live in an instant gratification society. Everything we desire is at our fingertips, a click away. Aside from the access to endless information, the worldwide web offers communication with fellow humans with who we may not be given the chance to communicate before the expansion of technology. Factor in social media and you’ll experience a bubble of humanity without respect for personal privacy. Look at me pops in my head as a slogan for a generation knowing no differently.

As with all commodities we tend to acknowledge the advantages and discard the negative. Most especially about technology. It is integrated into our lives without resistance or choice. I found this to be a disturbing consummation of reality. Let me back up.

Quick Premise Insight

I am using technology after a seven-month detox. During this time I concluded that life tech-free is not a possibility. This post will explore how I arrived at this bold conclusion, aspects I found disturbing, and the truth behind our touch reality. Now that I’ve put the cart behind the horse, let’s move forward, shall we?

My Tech-Free Detox Experience

The numerous avenues one must travel to arrive at a state map is discouraging. I find this to be limiting. I stumbled upon the lack of map access when planning a scavenger hunt for a weekend river float trip with my daughter. My then eighteen-year-old wasn’t a stranger to the sight of a map but have never personally used one, I thought it would add a challenging twist to our hunt. Little was I aware finding a map became the hunt! Ahhh, … the good ole days when you could find a state map at every corner store.

The next annoying aspect of attempting life tech-free is interacting with fellow Homosapien. This next to impossible feat weakens the whittling hope I have left for humanity. Surface level exchanges, “Your email, please.” or “Did you see…?”. None of which triggers me sensory. I found myself in silence while in the company of others more often than not. Bless my mother’s heart for referring me to Facebook, I deleted that account three years ago! Interaction has become about what it is not rather the emotion evoked, the laughs had, or tears shed.

Have you purchased a watch in a while? If not, going tech-free you’ll need to if you want to know the time. Not surprisingly this trickles into needing a planner for setting appointments and scheduling other important events. Do you see where this is going? The level of insanity our reliability on our devices prevails. On my journey of detox, asking others “what time is it?”, didn’t last long. Shopping for a watch became a task. I have specific requirements for my watch. Digital, and waterproof with a light. You’d think the simple demands would be met more often than not. Wrong!

Why Tech-Free?

Sometimes in life things we do not necessarily need but want are taken from us without choice. This is the case regarding my tech-free detox. Some of you may recall my post about being hacked. The timing wasn’t desirable as I had experienced another psychosis episode around the same time and well, that issue got significantly worse, forcing me to eliminate technology… for my sanity! There has been no resolve except my acceptance of the invasion of privacy. The way I see it, it will take care of itself in due time.

If I am to consider my experience with tech-free detox, I must not exclude how little knowledge people have surrounding technology. Lemme tell ya!! I do not believe myself to be more intelligent than the average Joe, however, I was proved incorrect. First and foremost employees of Verizon are merely representatives of the company and are not trained in technical support. Really. If you are experiencing technical difficulties, your issues are to be resolved over the phone. Yeah. Ya know the phone you are experiencing trouble with. Yeah, that one. Psst.

I could continue but I will stop. Some of what I was met with would blow your mind. I hope no one else experiences identity theft or stalking. I may disclose my case in the near future but for now, I will wrap it up.

Does tech-free sound like something you’d be interested in trying? A detox from technology?

An Extensive Guide Defining 62 Terms of Stationery

Let’s begin by acknowledging the other form of the word stationary which means to stand or stay in one place, not moving. The spelling of the two is different by one letter. Make sure when you are discussing stationery, as discussed here on Revenge of Eve, you use the spelling with the ‘e’. I wouldn’t feel this was necessary but I have seen it misspelled being used in this context quite a few times.

Although my love of paper and office supplies can be traced back to my childhood, I never knew the extent of the terminology that defines it. To be honest I wasn’t aware that stationery included office supplies. I innocently thought it to be pretty, decorated or personalized paper pad/notebooks. See even I learn something every day!

That leads to the research behind this in-depth post, defining 62 terms of stationery. Be sure to comment if I have left something out. By no means do I have it all figured out. Y’all ready?

Let’s do this thang: Beginning with the definition of stationery.

Stationery is a mass noun referring to commercially manufactured writing materials, including cut paper envelopes, writing implements, continuous form paper, and other office supplies. It includes materials to be written on by hand or by equipment such as computer printers.

62 Terms of Stationery

adhesive: a sticky substance applied to objects to adhere them to another object.

appointment book: a book used to write out the time and date of a scheduled appointment.

acetate: a sheet of clear plastic film fastened over the front of artwork for protection, as an overlay, or the like.

ballpoint pen: an ink writing instrument with a tiny ball as its writing point.

bookends: two sturdy pieces of material that go on each end of a stack of books, stacked against each other standing up, holding them in place.

binder: a hardcover that holds loose papers together.

binder clip: a large metal and plastic tool used to hold papers tightly together.

blotter: a sheet or pad of blotting paper inserted into a frame and kept on a desk.

brad: a slender wire nail having either a small, deep head or a projection to one side of the head end.

chipboard: a low grade of cardboard, used as backing pads of paper, a stiffener for photographs in the mailing, etc. A thin, stiff sheet material made from waste paper.

clipboard: a small, hardboard that you can attach papers to so that you can write on them while easily moving around.

correction fluid: applied with the provided brush leaving a white strip of fluid covering the mistake. Once dry one can write on top of it correcting the error.

correction tape: the dry form of correction liquid.

dater: a calendar.

desk pad: a cushioned pad, often topped with a blotter, for the surface of a desk.

desk tray: a tray used to hold and organize items you display on your desk.

envelope: an enclosure used for mailing documents, and letters that seal the contents inside.

eraser: used to remove unwanted pencil markings from the page.

expanding files: a folder that is used for organization and storage of documents and files and that has pleated sides which allow expansion of the folder.

fastener binder: any of various devices as a snap or hook and eye, for holding together two objects or parts sometimes required to be separate.

filing box: a box that contains file folders. These folders keep documents bundled together in separate files all contained within a box.

folder: a folded sheet of cardboard used to cover or hold papers, letters, etc.

fountain pen: a pen with a refillable reservoir that provides a continuous supply of usually fluid ink to its point.

glue stick: a stick with glue used for the easy application.

greeting card: a card that expresses feelings. Given to another person on holidays, birthdays, sick days, etc.

hanging folder: a folder with brackets that hang from the inside of a file box.

highlighter: a fluorescent pen that is translucent and used to highlight important terms or sentences. Quick reference.

index card: one of a set of the small card on which you write information.

invitation: a decorative piece of cardstock with the details of an event which request your presence. Wedding or a party; a gathering.

journal: a notebook that is used for logging personal information.

label: a blank sticker used for writing the contents of something for the organization.

label maker: a machine that types out information on labels to be placed on objects for organization purposes.

letter opener: a sleek, sharp knife like mechanism used to tear into the side of envelopes cutting a clean edge and opening the envelope.

letter scales: weighs the contents of the envelopes for postage.

magic marker: a permanent marker.

manila folder: a folder that is tan in color.

notebook: paper grouped together and bound by a spiral cord, thread or glue.

paper: material that is used for writing, mailing, wrapping, documenting and printing.

paper clips: a small piece of bent wire used for holding pieces of paper together.

paper punch: a tool used to punch designs or shapes out of paper.

pen: non-erasable writing implement offered with a variety of colored inks.

pencil: a writing implement made from wood or rubber and lead.

pencil sharpener: a hand-held tool or electric tool used to sharpen the lead of a pencil.

post it: a small, square, yellow piece of paper with an adhesive strip on the back. Used for taking brief notes and “posting” wherever it is convenient.

postal stationery: decorative papers with notes that are mailed to friends, family or work-related clients.

ring binder: a binder held together by rings. Allowing the contents to be removed and to add to the binder.

rotary file: a file that rotates.

rubber stamp: a stamp used to transfer ink that is made of rubber.

ruler: a straight line tool used to measure.

self-adhesive labels: strips of adhesive used to label containers for organization purposes.

signature: a grouping of papers held together using binding techniques.

stamp: a small tool with a pattern or writing on one side that you press into ink and use for printing a mark or design on paper.

staple remover: a claw-like tool that removes staples by prying them from where they are located.

stapler: a tool used to house staples to bind materials together.

staples: metal binding accessories used to hold groups of papers or other materials together.

stationer: these are either persons or a company who produce stationery commercially.

sticker: a decorative designed material with an adhesive backing used to decorate paper, planner, journal, etc.

tack: a short pin with a large, round top that can be used to fix a piece of paper to a surface temporarily.

tape: an adhesive that creates a bond for closure.

tape dispenser: holds the roll of tape while you peel and tear it from its spool.

trade card: a business card. There are now what are called artist trading cards and these are old playing cards or a page cut to that size that the artist decorates leaving their mark, if you will, and gives to others.

washi tape: a decorative tape that doesn’t damage paper if need to be moved or removed.

When I Becomes We: Creative Planning

The final hours until the new year. Do you have a plan?

Hey You Busy Bee’s

This will be our last post before the new year arrives! Today we will be discussing breaking our plans down further but also what it means to creative plan. I cannot wait to see what y’all come up with.

By The Hour

If any of you struggle with focusing this will be a great idea for you to try. I have used this technique for about two weeks and my productivity has skyrocketed! It is called block scheduling and it.is.amazing!

The original idea is called the Pomodoro technique. Wikipedia defines it…

“The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. These intervals are named pomodoros, the anglicized plural of the Italian word Pomodoro(tomato), after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo used as a university student“.

Many people have used this technique and have claimed their success on behalf of it. For myself, I choose to block more than 25 minutes because it seems to take me a few minutes to get focused on the task at hand but also for purposes of not having to set multiple timers. I begin a task at the beginning of the hour, work 45 minutes and then the last 15 minutes of the hour is my break between.

Here is an example of what my daily schedule looks like by the hour.

Creative Planning

Creative planning is where people use stickers, art, colored highlights, tabs, charts, specialty stickers, watercolors… Artsy mediums to decorate their plans. There is a crazy creative planning community and I love them! They are very supportive of one another. There are many Etsy shops that cater to this type of planning.

You can purchase printable undated calendars and add them to your system with lots of room for decorating. Each week is decorated in what is called a spread. You can find millions of examples on Instagram. Type planner community into the search bar and watch the beautiful, overcrowded planner pages pop up. This helps a lot of people to dedicate time to their planning and really look at it because let’s face it, a pretty page full of stickers is more welcoming than a blank calendar.

I’m not certain of any specific guidelines for creative planning so I just follow the beat of my own drum and do whatever it is that makes me happy.

I encourage you to do the same. It helps you stay mindful, alleviates stress, reduces anxiety and the results are nice to look at. If you can’t draw, they have stencils you can use. I use journaling cards in mine. I cut them out and glue them to my pages. I mix stickers, magazine clippings, stencils, stamping to create my own style. You should too.

*remember not to compare yours to others*

Another thing I did for this year, I created a vision board. I used the front of the January separator in my planner. The paper is sturdy cardstock that holds up nicely. I added elements that all brought together to show what I want to bring to life in 2019. I am going to do another one June, halfway through the year and see how the two align. I opted to do this to make sure I am staying on target with the three goals originally set.

If you have never made a vision board, it is quite simple. It’s basically collaging but with intention. You find words or images that describe what you want to attract into your life and paste them on a poster board or you can do as I did and use the sturdier pages in your planner. I have a few more words I intend to add to mine. Discover must find it’s way on my board, love and a few others will be glued on somewhere.

It is suggested to focus on what you are creating because the energy you put in will be the energy you receive. I didn’t do mine as intently but I did enjoy the process. Will you give it a go? If so, snap a shot and drop it in the comments.

I struggle with focusing and will need to make sure I am staying on track. I painted a reminder sign and framed it. It sits right by my desk and says, “one idea at a time”.

And now for accountability purposes, here are my three target goals for 2019:

Be more present (more specifically, as a mom).
Define who I am, using three adjectives.
Heal from past hurt and forgive ~~where needed.~~

Have you set your three?

Please do share your 2019 goals with me!! I would love to hear them. Are you setting any blogging goals in 2019? I am not setting any blogging goals this year. I will continue to find and develop my voice. I will not have the time to market my blog but I do intend to grow my email list and sell my handmade products. How do you plan to achieve your resolution or goals? Will you be joining me on my journey? If not, share your strategy. I may wanna follow you or borrow a few ideas. Anything helps.

Ps. I must add to this that I also use digital calendars set with reminders to keep me up to date. I recommend finding your system. The paper and pen technique is something I find calming. It helps keep my attention whereas technology disrupts my course of action.

With my new laptop, there is a focus mode to which you set to decrease distraction from mindless scrolling. I haven’t yet tried it but will come the new year.

When I Becomes We: A Pledge to Plan

Check out this more organized post about planning.

Stat!

I will go ahead and state the obvious, we are close to the end of the year and need to get our butts in gear for our first attempt at planning!

Keep in mind:

Realistic. Honest. Simple.

When I Becomes We: A Pledge to Plan-Revenge of Eve — My spiral Fringe weekly planner and my growth notebook for 2019

Quick Recap

You should have your three goals for 2019 written out. If not, we are rowing the same boat 😉

.Pause.

-WRITE THEM NOW-

Assign each goal 4 months.

Before we go any further

Let’s write a

A Pledge to Plan

Am I cheesy?? I’m cheesy.

I think one will benefit us by reminding us a few things. Write this where it can be seen when you sit down and plan. In the front of your planner, typed and framed on your desk..get creative.

I, (name), pledge to plan in 2019. I am striving to achieve these 3 goals. (List your three). I will remember to be patient, forgiving, and persistent. Planning is a habit formed by practice and I am learning. If something isn’t working I will reconfigure my plans for next month. I am creating a customized plan that suits mine and my family’s needs and will not compare my system to anyone else’s. Everything entered into my plans will be full of intention. The plans entered are flexible because life happens and I will not quit if my plans have to be altered.

Signed xo

Next, jot down ideas of things that could be done, action, to work toward achieving the ultimate goals. These will be our mini monthly goals. I separated them into a column style, graph-like diagram. I listed at least 10 under each goal. The amount of each is up to you but it cannot be more than 16 because more will exceed your limit of 4 max each month assigned to your goal.

Do not forget that you have other aspects of life that will require your attention. Having the mini monthly goals set at 4 max stops you from becoming overwhelmed. I drew something, much nicer than the first one 🙂, that I think will be a great guide to follow. It serves as an outline and I encourage tweaking it to your needs.

Here I made space for secondary goals and those would be ones specifically for your job, school, child’s dance class and then an area for scheduled events. This scheduled area should be where you add to your planner your weekly and daily routines that you are trying to develop or that you have already established.

“What?”, you say, yes, we are now breaking our planning down further from goals to achieve this year, to monthly mini goals, and now on to daily….and soon, hourly.

We gonna get our shit together this year boys and girls. 🙂

Stopping Point

Before you decide that planning isn’t for you, this is a great stopping point. Absorb the information provided, pin the image created as a guide and we will pick up here with more detailed images and in-depth instructions.

Breathe. Smile. And be grateful. We have a plan!!!

If you have any questions at all, please chat with me. Stay tuned for the third and final post in our When I Becomes We: Planning 2019 series. There will be a fun, creative activity thrown in the mix 🙂

P.s. There will be many planning posts throughout the year. I wouldn’t hang you out to dry like that, it is the last with this title. Shew! I thought I lost ya.

Good night ~ sleep tight