Small Steps Create Huge Results

Creating a daily intention is crucial to creating your life, not just living it. It might be as simple as "have fun today", "find time to laugh today" or "smile at as many people as possible today". It could be more focused on your career "make 3 sales today" or your family "do something kind for a family member" etc. Depending on the day, I may have more than one, such as a work and a personal intention or one for a particular meeting or project. No matter what my intentions are for the day, I take 5 minutes every day to set them. For me, this means stating them 3 times while visualizing me fulfilling the intention and then I write them down in my daily planner. I have many friends who also add them to their meditations or prayers as well. Find a system that works for you. At the end of the day, I take 5 minutes again to check in and see how that intention and purpose worked in my day. Please make sure here that there is no judgment when you check in at the end of the day. The check in is to determine how you brought mindful purpose to your day, how you determined what your focus was, not how you fell short. Take note of your level of focus and purpose versus when you just reacted to the days events and positively put this information to work for you tomorrow. Every day is a wonderful new opportunity to purposefully create a day you love! Soon those days turn into weeks, months and before you know it, you are more purposeful with all of your time and using those intentions as a tool to create your life!

We know how hard it is to find time, especially if you are raising kids, working multiple jobs, caring for family members - all of which we here have or are living too. So, a great way to start to focus on creating your life is to use situations you already are in daily and change them. For instance, doing dishes, cleaning, or any chore in your life can be a wonderful opportunity to bring you joy. These are little, even silly, ways to make you smile, laugh or just raise your energy and mood level that can start to affect you when used day after day. I now put on my music whenever I clean my house and dance it up. All chores I have to do, but now they are also moments I am creating where I play oldies full of great memories or listen to new music to expand my favorites list. As an educator and mother I have used techniques like this for kids for years, so why not for yourself to bring you joy. Other ideas: light a candle to bring in a scent you love; add some chocolate or wine as you scrub that pan; or use the time to listen to your favorite podcast or have a great phone conversation. My friend calls the same cousin every Thursday night while they both mop their floors - she says it's been a great way for them to keep in touch and makes a boring chore a time she looks forward to each week where she is actively creating a connection and memories with someone she loves. 

Take a moment to look at all that you do every day and just see if you can't turn some of them into moments of joy.

Joy is an intense and profound emotion that brings about feelings of happiness, delight, and contentment. It is a state of inner elation and pleasure that can be experienced through various sources, such as achieving personal goals, spending quality time with loved ones, or even witnessing something beautiful and awe-inspiring. Joy is more than just a fleeting moment of happiness; it often has a lasting impact on one's well-being and outlook on life. When experiencing joy, individuals often feel a sense of lightness and exuberance, as if their spirits have been lifted. It can manifest physically through smiling, laughter, or a warm and glowing sensation within the chest. Joy is a powerful emotion that can spread contagiously to others, creating a positive ripple effect in social interactions and relationships.

Beyond mere happiness, joy is often characterized by a deep sense of fulfillment and gratitude. It arises from moments of profound connection with oneself, others, and the world at large. Joy can be found in the simplest of pleasures, such as savoring a delicious meal, enjoying a beautiful sunset, or relishing in the laughter of friends. It can also emerge from more significant life events, like achieving a lifelong dream or overcoming a challenging obstacle. Unlike pleasure, which is often associated with immediate gratification, joy transcends the temporal and leaves a lasting impression on one's emotional landscape. Cultivating joy involves nurturing positive emotions, fostering meaningful relationships, and embracing gratitude for the abundance in one's life. Ultimately, joy is a fundamental aspect of the human experience that enriches our journey through life, adding color and vibrancy to our existence.

There are two camps: pro-planners/calendars and anti-planners. Some people strongly feel that they just take up too much time to write down and track their days and others use them just to write out their To Dos and appointments/activities for them and their kids, etc. However, we would like to suggest that Planners can be used as a tool to help you be more purposeful with your time and thus create a life you love!

Our goal is to have you use a planner to create your life, not just record it. The first step is one I did with my students every year - Time Tracking. Take a couple of days and literally track every minute as closely as possible. Be honest here and don't try and change it or make it look better than it is - whatever that may be to you. You have to meet and accept yourself exactly where you are - you are at this exact point for a reason. Then analyze your results.

1) How many times in your day (or how many minutes out of 1440 minus sleep time) are you actively creating the moment? Controlling how the time is used or creating how you feel while doing an activity you have to do? 

2) Whatever your amount of time or percentage, look for opportunities to take control of your day and create the moments you want to have. You can do this in two main ways. First, redirect time away from areas that you don't need to spend time on or are wasted in a day. Please know that this does not mean down time - just the opposite. Taking time for mental health, to rejuvenate or to just do nothing, if these bring you peace and joy - honor them and make sure they are scheduled in. If you are numbing out to TV for 2 hours every night, possibly look at repurposing this time to creating activities that bring you joy.  Look at your results and see if there is time to create special moments every day for you. Second, look at the time you are spending doing the same things every day that you have to do. Driving in traffic - can you use this time to listen to an uplifting podcast or one that makes you laugh to lift your mood after a long day? When I was driving over and hour to and from work each day, I initially was frustrated with this loss of time. My friend reminded me to take my own advice and so I created an hour that I looked forward to every day. In the morning, I made sure to have a wonderful coffee and a morning meditation ready on my phone. I would go through my day in my head and visualize how I wanted it to go and clearly state my intentions out loud. When I arrived at work I felt organized, motivated and prepared to create my day, not just react to it. On the way home, I started listening to audible books (some motivational, some how-tos and some comedy). I brought a snack and a tea that I saved just for my ride home and used a car scent that made me feel calm. It became a special indulgent time for me and I arrived home not frustrated with traffic and time lost, but refreshed and grateful for time given to me. A friend, working multiple jobs and in the midst of raising her children as a single mom, completed the time tracking and found she needed to repurpose activities. She now completes her daily intention in the morning and her gratitude list at night while she washes her face and brushes her teeth. Her kids have followed her lead and it has turned into a great family ritual. 

Finally, right out these moments - put them into a planner - hard copy - planner or calendar, digital - computer or phone

Finding Daily Joy in Your Backyard: Embrace the Beauty of the Everyday

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In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often forget to appreciate the little moments that can bring us immense joy. Your backyard can be an oasis of happiness, waiting to be explored with your loved ones. Engage your kids in creative outdoor activities, such as setting up a mini herb garden or creating colorful chalk art on the patio. Let your pets be your constant companions in this adventure, as their playful antics and unconditional love can lift your spirits in an instant. The presence of your partner can turn ordinary evenings into cherished memories - stargazing together or simply savoring a cup of tea while sitting amidst nature's serenity. Embrace the beauty of the everyday in your backyard and discover the countless moments of joy it has to offer.

Kids: Little Gardeners and Artists Involve your kids in gardening projects, regardless of the size of your backyard. Allocate a small patch for their very own garden and let them pick the plants they want to grow. This not only encourages a love for nature but also teaches them responsibility as they water and tend to their plants. Additionally, unleash their artistic side with sidewalk chalks. Allow them to transform the concrete canvas into a riot of colors, creating imaginative masterpieces that will fill the space with exuberance and creativity.

Pets: Furry Companions and Playmates Your pets are more than just animals; they are part of your family. Spend quality time with them in the backyard, playing fetch or simply basking in the sun together. Their infectious energy and joyful spirit will effortlessly bring a smile to your face. Moreover, training your pets outdoors can be rewarding for both of you, strengthening the bond between human and furry companion.

Partner: Cozy Evenings and Romantic Stargazing Turn your backyard into a romantic retreat for you and your partner. String fairy lights across the trees and set up a cozy seating area where you can unwind together. Spend evenings talking, laughing, and relishing the simple joys of togetherness. Embrace the tranquility of the night by stargazing - grab a telescope or simply lie down on a blanket, letting the vastness of the cosmos inspire moments of awe and connection.

Nature: Embrace the Wonders of Your Backyard Take a moment each day to truly appreciate the beauty of nature surrounding you. Whether it's listening to the melodious chirping of birds in the morning or admiring the blooming flowers, being mindful of the natural wonders right in your backyard can ground you and bring a sense of peace. Consider creating a mini wildlife habitat by putting up bird feeders and providing water sources, attracting more avian friends to your outdoor haven.

In conclusion, your backyard is a treasure trove of joy waiting to be explored. With a dash of creativity and an open heart, you can discover countless moments of happiness with your kids, pets, partner, and the beauty of nature each day. Embrace the simplicity and charm of these small pleasures, for it is often in the ordinary moments that we find the most extraordinary joy.