With May here sooner than we realized, it’s time for my monthly look back and sharing how my Word of The Year for 2021 – Yes will translate in ‘intentional focus’ in this month.
Looking Back on April
As I have been doing over the last few months, I’m using questions from Emily P Freeman‘s newsletter to undertake this exercise of reflection.
1. Where did you see God in April?
I found God in the daily routine of my life. In my Morning Pages, in my reading and in my relationships. I realized a lot more about myself and what makes me tick and areas that need correction and healing as I wrote my Morning Pages regularly. I also became more regular to the studio and together Jose and I worked out a better schedule for as a unit. So as always, I saw and heard God in the still small voice within me.
2. When did you laugh out loud in April?
While Lucky gives us a lot of reasons to laugh and there’s a crazy little stray pup that visits us, I really can’t remember laughing out loud during the month. Our memories of Pablo don’t make us sad as much as they did before, and we smile when we remember his madness, but somehow the residual sadness remains.
Also with all that’s going on around us in our country, it’s really hard to find reasons to laugh. But I do value laughter and look out for funny stuff to watch and read.
People who know me well, know how hard I laugh – until I’m red in the face. Something silly will set me off. But I cannot remember when I last laughed that hard.
3. What is one word to describe what you hope for as we move into May?
Focus
You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret to your success is found in your daily routine.
John C. Maxwell
This quote from Maxwell underlined for me once again, how I need to relook at my routine and tweak and fix things. I want to give intentional focus to certain things this month.
May – A Month of Intentional Focus
Before I move into talking about May, I’ve been meaning to share the vision board I created for 2021. While my Vision Board for 2020 had a lot more elements in it, this time I kept it simple.
My Word of the Year is Yes. My vision board says Yes to self-nurturing, growth and learning, play and opening closed doors.
I’ve been trying to incorporate all this into my life, but there’s times I’ve failed. So for May, I decided to really use my bullet journal effectively. I’ve scheduled into it time for working, for reading, for learning and for play and entertainment. So there’s an intentional focus on each aspect without me feeling guilty about missing out on anything.
I’ve started to set aside days for certain tasks, batching them together and creating time blocks each day for certain tasks. For example, on one day of the week, I’ll work on putting all the book reviews that are due, on the blog and schedule them. This is (as I am) a work in progress, but it seems the most sensible option to keep my focus on my goals.
To know more about how batching and creating time blocks works, do read these two articles:
- Work At Home Mom Schedule [Free Hourly Planner Printable] by Anja Home
- Batching: How To Improve Your Focus And Get More Done by Dan Silvestre
Feel free to ask me questions and to share what your May is going to look like.
#MondayMusings no longer has a linky. I am linking in at Anita Ojeda’s Inspire Me Monday. Join me there! I will also be adding this post to the link for One Word 2021 linkup for May on Lisa’s Notes.
Image Credits: Photo by Garrett Morrow from Pexels
I always appreciate your openness.
I use Google Task as a bullet journal of sorts.
“Yes” is a brave choice for 2021. I struggle with overcommiting to others, events & tasks, so I think “yes” would get me into BIG trouble.
I pray blessings on your journey.
I haven’t tried that, Barb. But I use Evernote in addition to my Bullet Journal for more detailed notes.
Ah, my saying ‘yes’ to some things means saying ‘no’ to a lot of other things!
I could probably use a bullet journal. I have trouble focusing on all that I need to do and I think organizing a schedule would be very helpful. I like your word of the year saying yes to those important areas of growth and learning and caring and making time for play, too. May God enable you to incorporate all those things in your life. I might check out those articles you shared. Blessings to you!
I’ve been trying to use one effectively for sometime, Gayl and I think I finally got the hang of bullet journaling, but my way!
Thank you for your prayers and your good wishes. I so appreciate you!
I love the questions. And yes, it is difficult to laugh in these times, but smiles are still okay. When we can heal enough to laugh, we will. Just now just look for buds among the thorns,one they they will bloom to full grown roses.
Yes, I find the questions that Emily asks really good for my reflection. Hopefully soon, we’ll sing in the sunshine and laugh every day!
I enjoyed reading about your bullet journal. I have heard good things about them from people who have used them. I love your word of the year. Yes is the ultimate positive word.
You seem super organized, Laurie. Would love to know what your secret is.
Corinne, when I think of you I always see a face beaming with laughter and positive energy. Naturally, this image makes me smile. 🙂
Love this intention you chose for May. Without intentional focus, it’s difficult to show progress at the end of the day.
Wishing you a productive month with so much joy, Corinne.
Vinitha recently posted..Fiction Monday – 45
First of all I want to say excellent blog!
I had a quick question in which I’d like
to ask if you don’t mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your thoughts
prior to writing. I’ve had a difficult time clearing my thoughts in getting my
ideas out.
I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like the
first 10 to 15 minutes are generally wasted just
trying to
figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips?
Cheers!
I see now why you’re using Emily Freeman’s questions. They’re so good! They make me wonder what my own responses would be.
I did laugh out loud for several minutes last night. My husband bought a new pair of reading glasses but he was complaining that they really weren’t helping at all; he couldn’t read the words in his book. But then he realized that he never took the protective plastic off the lens! We both got a good belly laugh from that. The glasses worked great after that. 🙂
What a great John Maxwell quote. It gives me room to ponder as well. What little changes have I made? Can I make?
I love your vision board! Maybe I could do something like that. I’m not good in the regular arts department, but I might could make something digital.
So glad you’re keeping us updated at our One Word linkup! I love reading your posts, Corinne!