Right now I'm at one of those "overwhelmed with all I have to do" times!  Over the last week my next few weeks and months have piled up into one big to do list with critical time crunches and deadlines.  At least that's how I am currently viewing it from my overwhelmed state of mind!  AND I want to add a regular time to scrapbook to my schedule each week.  I know scrapbooking will get pushed aside if I don't schedule it in.  (I'm one of those people who struggles with giving myself a break and having some fun until my work is entirely done.) 

However, if past history is any indicator, things really aren't as crazy as I'm making them out to be.  All I need to do is get organized and suddenly I'm sailing again!  I am addicted to my Outlook Calendar - it keeps me organized and gets my schedule out of spinning around in my head and down on "paper" in an orderly way.

So here's what I'm going to do.  I'm going to set aside an hour this week to get a schedule laid out on my calendar.  I'll start by writing down all the tasks and their deadlines and include the fun things like scrapbooking so it doesn't get missed.  Then I will methodically schedule my days accordingly. This is my key to success.

Sometimes I forget that the hour I spend scheduling is as important as an hour spent on a specific task.  But it's true, because once that schedule is down - I can fly.  If I don't do it the repercussion is constantly living with feeling overwhelmed and that I'm forgetting something.  I would be flying by the seat of my pants instead of staying on top of things.  NOT WORTH IT!!!

I'll let you know how it goes!

Cheers!
Tracy

Hello World, I Am Back!

I can't believe it has been over 2 weeks since I have truly been connected online with all of you.

I would love to say that the reason was that I was relaxing on the beach with a book, watching the kids play on the beach with their cousins.

So often we make resolutions about our finances, about our weight, or about certain home projects.  But what about resolutions when it comes to our scrapbooking?

 

Your scrapbooking can benefit just as much by goal setting as any other endeavor, so why not make some scrapping resolutions this year that will help you feel terrific about all the time and money you spend on your favorite craft?

 

1. Album goals.  Finished albums are truly the mark of scrapbooking productivity where it literally gets pictures out of the envelopes, and onto the pages.  We want to start, and finish, an album or two this year that at least covers a year’s worth of pictures.  We also want to complete one album, or more, of some particularly special events such as a wedding, a birth, and/or a graduation.  
2. Purchasing goals.  There are certain tools that every scrapbooker could use to improve their productivity and creativity.  We’re going to make a wish list of the items we’d like to acquire so that we can take advantage of sale prices for those items we most want and need.
3. Learning goals.  There are several classes available that are great for learning new techniques.  It’s inspiring to take several classes a year, so that scrapbooking remains fun and interesting.   We need to make sure to allot time, and dollars, so that we can participate in the class offerings that most appeal to our learning needs.
4. Socializing goals.  One of the best things about scrapbooking are the friendships.  In this busy life of ours we need to make time for our special friends.  If this means small get-togethers, or scrapping parties, or even store crops, we want to make sure to work these joyful times into our calendars. 
5. Purging goals.  It’s time to share!  We’re going to apply “spring cleaning” to our scrapbooking, and lighten our load.  We want to give our out-dated, or no-longer-needed-or-wanted stuff, to someone who can make ready use of it.  This way we can more easily find the items we do want to use, without having to rifle through piles of things that no longer interest us.  

Regardless of what your exact goals may be, there’s no question that setting goals increases the likelihood that you will accomplish what you want, better and faster.  So set some goals, and make this year your best and most productive scrapbooking year ever!  

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Warmly,

Tammy Morales
Your Scrapbook Coach
Publisher, ScrapbookersInnerCircle.com