Life as a working mum is busy. There are lots of plates to juggle and when you drop one of those it can feel like everything crashes down. For me, a way to overcome the overwhelmness of it all is to write it down. Calendars for the clubs, lists of blog posts and tasks that need doing, ideas for content for my Digital Mums course, the clubs I need to pay for and the bills that need paying. But one thing is missing from all this craziness, me, what am I doing for me? I have only recently recognised that this, the most important part in all this craziness, was missing. So when Great Minds UK got in touch and asked me to review one of their planners I jumped at the chance.
The Great Minds GO FAR Planner method is based on the Science of Achievement. It includes up to date research in time management, personal transformation, positive psychology and talent development. The Self-Coaching Tools are packed with simple but powerful coaching tools to help you grow and develop as you use the planner.
I have been using this planner for two months now and I can say it really has started to make a impact on how I focus on myself.
The Planner cover comes in a choice of two colours, grey and blue. I chose the blue, and when it arrived I was really impressed in how luxurious it was. The packing really makes you feel like you are opening something special. In fact even though I use it every day I always put it away in it’s box. The cover, which is like a soft leather, also feels so soft to touch, I do find myself just stroking it!
The Planner itself comes in separate books. These can be taken out and rearranged. Mine included the Weekly Planner, the Goal Setting Guide and the Notebook.
You start your journey with the weekly planner, the coaching part of the method. It talks you through the three steps – Explore, Create, Manage. It makes you stop and take stock of where you are in your current life, showing you how to identify your goals. This can be what you want to achieve personally as well as professionally and how to carry out a weekly check in to reflect on how your week has gone.
All the way through the process, as well as following the pointers in the book you have access to an online knowledge centre. Now the planner uses QR codes for this, so you will need to download a QR app on your phone to use this part. I was bit unsure about this at first, but I did find it a good way of taking you direct to the part of the method you are in.
For me the Explore part took me about 40 minutes. This is where you assess your current satisfaction levels and write a list of all the main things you are dealing with right now and what your dreams are. Moving onto the Create section, again this part took me about 40 minutes. This is where you start compiling your goals and takes you through to using the Goal Setting Guide. It is quite intensive so I would suggest you get settled somewhere where you won’t get distracted. Make sure you defiantly have a glass of wine or a nice big cuppa and treats to really ensure you get the most out of your you time. After reflecting on your goal topics you return to the Weekly Planner and start action planning. This is what you want to achieve week by week to meet your goals.
When you move onto working with your weekly planner, it suggests you give yourself 15 to 20 minutes a week to go through this. I would say that this is about right. But you do have to make sure you do it. Otherwise the method won’t really have the impact it could have. I’ve actually been enjoying this part more than I thought. I don’t often stop and reflect, and this planner has made me do this.
My planner also came with a handy notebook. I found as I went through the process that my mind was overflowing with thoughts and ideas. The notebook was a good place to just download it all.
So what have I liked about this planner? The explore and create parts were helpful but for me the weekly planning section is my favourite. There is space for you to write inspirational notes for your self. And the little quotes at the bottom of the pages are great pick me ups. The questions that are asked in the reflection section also really focus your mind. They help you work out what worked and what needs more work. You also record what you are grateful for and makes you happy.
There is also a section for you write down your weekly reward. This part for me actually felt quite alien, which isn’t good. But now, I enjoy finding that something for me. Whether it’s a bath, finding time to read my book or even that cheeky glass of prosecco on a Friday night.
The Great Minds UK GO FAR method is like having your own personal life coach. It’s there for you whenever you want it to be.
How do you like to find the time reflecting on you amongst the craziness of life?
Lets get organised
Jo
X
Leave a Reply