I remember being blown away by the Franklin Covey presentation where the presenter took a pile of rocks, gravel, pebbles, and sand, and then asked a volunteer to fit them all into a plastic container. When the volunteer started with the sand, the rest wouldn't fit, but when the rocks were placed in first, everything fell into place (with some liberal shaking). I have since seen this idea replicated by multiple organizations (usually with adding water—and sometimes beer: “There's always room for beer.”), but the analogy still holds true. The rocks represent the important things in life (our family, our dreams, travel), the gravel represents our obligations (our job, family commitments), the pebbles represent our leisure or down-time, and the sand represents our day-to-day emergencies. If we only focus on the day-to-day stuff, we can't fit in the parts of our life that are more important; however, if we focus on, and plan for, our dreams, we can fit in everything (or almost everything) else.
My school, at the time they sent us to this presentation (which, by the way, was the second-best professional development session that I have ever attended), also purchased Franklin planners for the entire staff. I loved using mine. It was while using mine that I wrote two of my screenplays and the lion's share of my novel while still juggling my multiple obligations. When I was at my best, I would check it every night (usually while watching an evening show), filling in my accomplishments from the day and writing in my tasks for the next. It made me more aware of how I was using my time.
Unfortunately, due to financial issues, I stopped purchasing the yearly inserts and then stopped using the binder. I have tried using different apps since then, but to much lesser effect. I know that I shouldn't need to use a specific product to accomplish what is essentially a simple idea, but there was something about the format and quality of those pages that made using it more pleasurable (and that made me feel guilty when I didn't use it).
Truthfully, I have been a bit adrift these past few years. My time is being filled with pebbles and sand. I haven't worked on a major piece of writing in several years. I need to take better charge of my life again and stop merely reacting to events as they occur.
… I think that I might be talking myself into getting another year's insert.
My school, at the time they sent us to this presentation (which, by the way, was the second-best professional development session that I have ever attended), also purchased Franklin planners for the entire staff. I loved using mine. It was while using mine that I wrote two of my screenplays and the lion's share of my novel while still juggling my multiple obligations. When I was at my best, I would check it every night (usually while watching an evening show), filling in my accomplishments from the day and writing in my tasks for the next. It made me more aware of how I was using my time.
Unfortunately, due to financial issues, I stopped purchasing the yearly inserts and then stopped using the binder. I have tried using different apps since then, but to much lesser effect. I know that I shouldn't need to use a specific product to accomplish what is essentially a simple idea, but there was something about the format and quality of those pages that made using it more pleasurable (and that made me feel guilty when I didn't use it).
Truthfully, I have been a bit adrift these past few years. My time is being filled with pebbles and sand. I haven't worked on a major piece of writing in several years. I need to take better charge of my life again and stop merely reacting to events as they occur.
… I think that I might be talking myself into getting another year's insert.
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