I saved this article for the end of August because it intrigued me. I update my "Things" list daily and keep a running list in the Notes app on my iPhone. I've been finding that both lists are too long, or perhaps I am simply too optimistic about what I can accomplish in a day. Too many items get added or carried over. A monthly review and reset seemed like a good way to assess what I've actually done in the past month, how I feel about that, and what I want to prioritize for the next month. It did take a chunk of time to do this as thoroughly as I wanted, but I also felt a sense of relief in eliminating some items completely, delegating others to someone else, or scheduling a few to review again in the future. I, too, am retired, and like jean Sampson, prioritizing health for my self and my husband, both over 80. Our health problems are minor for the most part, but there is no arguing with the fact that we have less energy than we had even ten years ago. I find that planning is perhaps more important now than ever, and the idea of a monthly review and reset resonates with my intentions. As important as it is to find time and energy for the daily physical requirements of living, it is equally important to prioritize time and energy for hobbies, relationships, and activities that feed our mental health and our souls. Thanks for inspiring me to take a closer look at how I spend my time and tweak it to make it better.
Joelle, Sounds like you were already very organized. I'm glad if the methods I shared have been helpful in refining your organizing process. There is a lot to manage as we age for sure! I love the way you are keeping an eye toward balance as well including hobbies, relationships, and mental health in mind. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Great prompt. I would like to get into this habit. I think I would realise I achieve more than I think. I've watched as your Medium followers have grown from about 3k to 15k. Meanwhile, mine pootle slowly up. Have you got any tips? Cheers :-)
Ali, I agree, I think the monthly reviews will help me too. About Medium followers, I gain the most followers when my articles are published in larger publications like Better Humans. This seems to remain (generally) true since the introduction of the boost. My last article in Better Humans didn't get a boost, but it did fairly well and garnered more followers, as usual. Better Humans are more selective about the articles they accept since the inception of the boost, but I try to submit there at least once a month. The same holds with other large publication bringing in more followers, at least for me. And of course, boosts make a difference now. Also, I think it's part of the algorithm, somehow the more followers I get, the more followers I get. It's like I reach certain thresholds and there's a jump in followers subsequent to that. Last, there's luck! One of my articles from 2022 on how to do a mid-year declutter. was highlighted in a June Medium Weekend Edition email and blog post. I got 3,717 followers in July alone. Of course, I wrote a good article, but it was really luck that they focused on that topic that month and included my article in a short list. Good luck with this! Thanks for your response.
Hi Sandra, I don't do monthly reviews but I do tend to stop, sometimes pretty often, to check in on how I am feeling and why and what I can do to change the feeling if I need to or want to. I am retired from teaching art (about time at 76, almost 77) but I still go to the studio to make art at least 4, usually 5 days a week. I also try to either walk an hour or do a weight (not real heavy) workout 5 or 6 days a week. My main job now is to keep my self and hubby as healthy as possible because we are at the age when health is the most important thing to work on. I also have to maintain the house and keep an eye and ear out for troubles that happen to old houses. I know I need to go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier than 8 but so far I have not made it a ritual. Maybe one day! Sending you love!
Jean, I love the fluidity of your approach. Not everyone fits perfectly with a strict monthly approach! Maybe that's why I find it challenging too. But I want to be more regular about it. You certainly sound on top of what's important in your life. And kudos for taking care of your health. I'm impressed by your exercise routines! Thanks for sharing!
I saved this article for the end of August because it intrigued me. I update my "Things" list daily and keep a running list in the Notes app on my iPhone. I've been finding that both lists are too long, or perhaps I am simply too optimistic about what I can accomplish in a day. Too many items get added or carried over. A monthly review and reset seemed like a good way to assess what I've actually done in the past month, how I feel about that, and what I want to prioritize for the next month. It did take a chunk of time to do this as thoroughly as I wanted, but I also felt a sense of relief in eliminating some items completely, delegating others to someone else, or scheduling a few to review again in the future. I, too, am retired, and like jean Sampson, prioritizing health for my self and my husband, both over 80. Our health problems are minor for the most part, but there is no arguing with the fact that we have less energy than we had even ten years ago. I find that planning is perhaps more important now than ever, and the idea of a monthly review and reset resonates with my intentions. As important as it is to find time and energy for the daily physical requirements of living, it is equally important to prioritize time and energy for hobbies, relationships, and activities that feed our mental health and our souls. Thanks for inspiring me to take a closer look at how I spend my time and tweak it to make it better.
Joelle, Sounds like you were already very organized. I'm glad if the methods I shared have been helpful in refining your organizing process. There is a lot to manage as we age for sure! I love the way you are keeping an eye toward balance as well including hobbies, relationships, and mental health in mind. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Great prompt. I would like to get into this habit. I think I would realise I achieve more than I think. I've watched as your Medium followers have grown from about 3k to 15k. Meanwhile, mine pootle slowly up. Have you got any tips? Cheers :-)
Ali, I agree, I think the monthly reviews will help me too. About Medium followers, I gain the most followers when my articles are published in larger publications like Better Humans. This seems to remain (generally) true since the introduction of the boost. My last article in Better Humans didn't get a boost, but it did fairly well and garnered more followers, as usual. Better Humans are more selective about the articles they accept since the inception of the boost, but I try to submit there at least once a month. The same holds with other large publication bringing in more followers, at least for me. And of course, boosts make a difference now. Also, I think it's part of the algorithm, somehow the more followers I get, the more followers I get. It's like I reach certain thresholds and there's a jump in followers subsequent to that. Last, there's luck! One of my articles from 2022 on how to do a mid-year declutter. was highlighted in a June Medium Weekend Edition email and blog post. I got 3,717 followers in July alone. Of course, I wrote a good article, but it was really luck that they focused on that topic that month and included my article in a short list. Good luck with this! Thanks for your response.
Hi Sandra, I don't do monthly reviews but I do tend to stop, sometimes pretty often, to check in on how I am feeling and why and what I can do to change the feeling if I need to or want to. I am retired from teaching art (about time at 76, almost 77) but I still go to the studio to make art at least 4, usually 5 days a week. I also try to either walk an hour or do a weight (not real heavy) workout 5 or 6 days a week. My main job now is to keep my self and hubby as healthy as possible because we are at the age when health is the most important thing to work on. I also have to maintain the house and keep an eye and ear out for troubles that happen to old houses. I know I need to go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier than 8 but so far I have not made it a ritual. Maybe one day! Sending you love!
Jean, I love the fluidity of your approach. Not everyone fits perfectly with a strict monthly approach! Maybe that's why I find it challenging too. But I want to be more regular about it. You certainly sound on top of what's important in your life. And kudos for taking care of your health. I'm impressed by your exercise routines! Thanks for sharing!