Each month, I do a review. Usually it’s quite structured, where I have certain categories such as “What I learned”, “What I want to try next month”, “Challenges”, “Wins”, etc.
In April 2018, I tried something different. I put myself “in the zone” by setting up my page and then I just wrote. Here’s what I came up with:
Me Time is a Real and necessary thing.
It’s true, it is. That month, I wore myself out. I tripped on the dog leash and tore a muscle in my calf, and made it worse by not resting. I picked up a nasty flu-like virus, which knocked me out for a few days, and I rarely left work before 7pm. I was tired, almost to the point of being burnt out.
It’s funny, my word of the year was Nurture – I vowed to take care of myself, and didn’t really kept that promise. So – it’s time to take a little more care. I still can’t slow down too much, but I CAN take rest days, and properly rest. Even just take some “me time” every few days.
We can do it.
I need to get back on track with my work social media.
With the ridiculously busy days, and me taking on someone else’s job while they were on medical leave, some parts of my real job had to take a back seat. And actually, it is my favourite part of the job. I used to spend some time each week preparing social media posts for the week ahead and I had a very active presence for my work’s social media. This requires a creative switch to be turned on in my brain – however, the “other” job is very analytical – lots of spreadsheets and numbers and forecasting and reports. By the time I have time to do the socials, it’s far too late in the day, my brain is fried and all creativity is lost.
It’s time to get back on track.
Investigate scheduling apps
I think the best way to get back on track is to set a schedule. Whether that’s with the use of scheduling apps, or simply by using Calendar reminders, I need to try something to make it happen. I’ve just set up my social media tracker for May, and I’ve also written a social media to-do list. That’s certainly a start. A content calendar is next on my list!
We can only do so much – learn to say no, learn to delegate, learn how to put your own life mask on first.
Prepare for meetings in advance.
My days are so full of meetings these days, that I don’t often have time to prepare for them. I used to do research before my meetings and be fully prepared for them. I need to get back into that habit. It’s good to:
read the notes
make sure you know what you want to achieve, regardless of who called the meeting
have some questions ready
know who will be there.
Don’t expect others to change their behaviour and then be surprised when they don’t.
This was a big “lesson learned”. I was surprised, and very much disappointed, when someone treated me the way she used to – with no respect for my time, with no appreciation for work done, and with unrealistic expectations. I should have known, but I somehow expected things to be different.
I don’t believe that people can’t change – I believe they can – but they have to want to change, and see the value in doing so. It was naive of me to think otherwise, or perhaps just hopeful, wishful thinking. Instead, I have to take a step back, take a deep breath, and logically explain what I need, what I can and can’t do, what I’ve achieved, what’s next.
So that’s my April 2018 Review. Do you do a monthly review? What have you learned from you reviews?
Let me know, I’m keen to hear from you!
