I’m a planner. Writing
a “to –do” list helps me organize and prioritize what I need to accomplish in a
day. My head feels so much clearer when
I’ve gotten those random “don’t forgets” out of my head and onto paper. I don’t always stick to my plan, but I do so
much better when I at least have one.
a “to –do” list helps me organize and prioritize what I need to accomplish in a
day. My head feels so much clearer when
I’ve gotten those random “don’t forgets” out of my head and onto paper. I don’t always stick to my plan, but I do so
much better when I at least have one.
A month or so ago, I’d been feeling like I just couldn’t get ahead. Trying to grow a blog
along with all my other responsibilities as a wife and mom left me feeling like
I was living day-to-day, doing whatever item on my to-do list was most urgent
at the moment. We were surviving, but
certainly not thriving.
along with all my other responsibilities as a wife and mom left me feeling like
I was living day-to-day, doing whatever item on my to-do list was most urgent
at the moment. We were surviving, but
certainly not thriving.
My husband is so supportive and offered to watch the
kids for me so I could spend some time alone trying to get “caught up.” He asked me to pick the day and he’d take
care of things at home. I very quickly
took him up on his offer and that Saturday was my first official personal
planning retreat.
kids for me so I could spend some time alone trying to get “caught up.” He asked me to pick the day and he’d take
care of things at home. I very quickly
took him up on his offer and that Saturday was my first official personal
planning retreat.
I’m definitely no
expert, but I can’t speak more highly of my time and would highly recommend
it to anyone. Here are 5 things I
learned from my first personal retreat that might help you if you decide to try one for
yourself.
expert, but I can’t speak more highly of my time and would highly recommend
it to anyone. Here are 5 things I
learned from my first personal retreat that might help you if you decide to try one for
yourself.
Pick a place free from distractions
I choose the public library and it worked out
really well. They had some booths that
were the perfect set up for me, my laptop, and my bag filled with books,
etc. I could prop my feet up when I was
reading and I had plenty of space to spread out when it was needed. You don’t HAVE to leave your house, but I
would highly recommend it. Whether it be
a library, coffee shop, or a place outside on a cozy bench, just make sure you
pick a spot that has as few distractions as possible. This is your time, so use it wisely!
really well. They had some booths that
were the perfect set up for me, my laptop, and my bag filled with books,
etc. I could prop my feet up when I was
reading and I had plenty of space to spread out when it was needed. You don’t HAVE to leave your house, but I
would highly recommend it. Whether it be
a library, coffee shop, or a place outside on a cozy bench, just make sure you
pick a spot that has as few distractions as possible. This is your time, so use it wisely!
Have an idea of what you want to accomplish
I think it’s really helpful to have a mini to-do
list for your personal retreat time. My
main goal was to spend time in God’s word, work on menu-planning, and then to do some blog planning. I know some people like to do these at the
beginning of the year while they are setting goals for the year and trying to
organize their year. Others might want
to do them at the beginning of the school year so they can plan out some ways
to be intentional as the new school year begins. Whatever it is you are trying to accomplish
is fine, but I would encourage you to have a few things written down so you can
keep yourself on track and not end up scouring Pinterest the entire time.
list for your personal retreat time. My
main goal was to spend time in God’s word, work on menu-planning, and then to do some blog planning. I know some people like to do these at the
beginning of the year while they are setting goals for the year and trying to
organize their year. Others might want
to do them at the beginning of the school year so they can plan out some ways
to be intentional as the new school year begins. Whatever it is you are trying to accomplish
is fine, but I would encourage you to have a few things written down so you can
keep yourself on track and not end up scouring Pinterest the entire time.
Give yourself a enough time
I was actually out of the house alone for about 5
hours and it was a good amount of time for me, although I did meet up with Kev and the kids for lunch.
Had I only planned for an hour or two, I would not have
accomplished as much because I would have had to stop just as I was getting started. Obviously, something is better than nothing, but I’d encourage you to aim for at least 3 hours if you can {and
maybe more if you think you could use it}.
hours and it was a good amount of time for me, although I did meet up with Kev and the kids for lunch.
Had I only planned for an hour or two, I would not have
accomplished as much because I would have had to stop just as I was getting started. Obviously, something is better than nothing, but I’d encourage you to aim for at least 3 hours if you can {and
maybe more if you think you could use it}.
Don’t feel guilty
Do not let your “Mom guilt” creep in during your personal planning retreat. Some of us are wired to need this time away to get some planning done. While I think everyone would benefit from it, there are some people who actually need it. The idea is that your time away will leave you better able to accomplish your responsibilities, so there is no need to feel guilt.
Do them regularly
I found that I was able to get so much more done
without interruptions, but I still didn’t get as much done as I had hoped. I could probably spend an entire personal retreat on blogging alone. I know I can’t do
these each week, but I’m planning to make a habit of doing these every couple
of months. I may focus on different things
each time, but I am hoping that this time devoted to planning ahead for my role
as wife, mom, and part-time blogger is going to help me feel a little more
equipped to do my job more effectively week-to-week.
without interruptions, but I still didn’t get as much done as I had hoped. I could probably spend an entire personal retreat on blogging alone. I know I can’t do
these each week, but I’m planning to make a habit of doing these every couple
of months. I may focus on different things
each time, but I am hoping that this time devoted to planning ahead for my role
as wife, mom, and part-time blogger is going to help me feel a little more
equipped to do my job more effectively week-to-week.
* * * * * *
If you are interested in trying out a personal planning retreat and would love more ideas on how to get started, check out The Humbled Homemaker blog and sign up for her email newsletter. You will get her ebook titled Your Retreat: A Guide to Giving Yourself a Personal Planning Day for absolutely free.
* * * * * *
Have any of you ever taken a personal
planning retreat?
planning retreat?
If so, what tips can you share?
Linking up with:
Cindy for Made By You Monday
Sarah for Homemade Mondays
Kristi for Inspiration Monday
Emily for Create Link Inspire
Kathy for Titus 2 Tuesday
Leslie for Twirl & Take a Bow Party
Kelly for Whimsy Wednesdays
Rachel for Wednesday Whatsits
Ruth for Thrifty Thursday
Carrie for Think Tank Thursday
Allison for Handmade Hangout
Wendy for Frugal Friday
Cheryl for I’m Lovin It
Jerri for Friday Favorites Linky Party
Jen for Link Party Palooza
Melanie for Skip the Housework Saturday
Six Sisters for Strut Your Stuff Saturday
Linking up with:
Cindy for Made By You Monday
Sarah for Homemade Mondays
Kristi for Inspiration Monday
Emily for Create Link Inspire
Kathy for Titus 2 Tuesday
Leslie for Twirl & Take a Bow Party
Kelly for Whimsy Wednesdays
Rachel for Wednesday Whatsits
Ruth for Thrifty Thursday
Carrie for Think Tank Thursday
Allison for Handmade Hangout
Wendy for Frugal Friday
Cheryl for I’m Lovin It
Jerri for Friday Favorites Linky Party
Jen for Link Party Palooza
Melanie for Skip the Housework Saturday
Six Sisters for Strut Your Stuff Saturday
I love that you did this! I find that I really only have time to write now in the early, early mornings or late nights….it is tough to get 2 posts out a week!! So I am always impressed at your posts and the ideas you come up with! 🙂
I totally understand, Kristin! There are lots of posts that are I'm "stewing on" that I just haven't had the time to think over and plan out so that my thoughts make sense. You certainly have a full plate, but are doing great! Try a writing retreat sometime 🙂
A great, inexpensive option for personal retreats is Catholic retreat centers. Most have hermitages, usually quaint little cottages, for about half the cost of other options. You usually have to bring your own food. Check out http://www.dominican-spiritual-life-center.com/windmill.htm.
That sounds like a great idea! Thanks for sharing!