Taking my own advice, here’s a virtual walk-through planning August!
Review seasonal goals:
This means taking a look at Q3, because I haven’t created my Q4 goals yet (but definitely will take some dedicated time to do so this month). I won’t do a full review here, but at this point I would say most of my Q3 goals are either a) done or b) on track or c) formally abandoned. I am at peace with that!
The only one that I would like to really step up is more decluttering, in preparation for the school year. (There was actually a LOT of progress already made here, but I feel like I should build on the momentum rather than calling it done!)
Review last month’s goals, celebrate wins, and choose what — if anything — to migrate to the next month.
Did that yesterday!
Review the upcoming calendar landscape
Ahh yes, I need to do that. BRB . . .
. . . Upon review, August contains:
- Weekends include: one fun/busy one with my college friends in town, one “eve of back to school” (but otherwise relatively chill)one J-call, one SHU-call, and one “extended play date” weekend away in the Keys with friends and their kids (Labor Day).
- Travel: none, other than our trip to the Keys (it’s travel, but just driving)
- Due: endorsement requests (almost done – heard from another very kind person yesterday who is game), final edits, workbook edits. One Planning By Season session (planning Q4 – already excited about that one!) + one Patreon session (routines). Plus the usual recording schedule.
- Clinical days: 14. Every Tuesday/Thursday/Fri plus one full week. No days off — it will be a fairly heavy clinical month!
- Non-clinical days: Only 6. Which is: not many. I am going to need to be efficient on these days AND likely add in a bit of weekend work time.
- One week of kids at home prepping for school, then BACK TO SCHOOL is upon us which will mean getting used to all of those new routines
- Additional challenge: our nanny is going away for a week, which overlaps with my call week. This is not going to be easy but we will all get through it.
Holistic self-assessment: How do I FEEEEEEL / August vibe check?
Honestly, I feel pretty rested (from a more fun-filled/relaxed July) and ready to hit the ground running with some back-to-school energy.
August Domains:
- PERSONAL (as usual)
- RELATIONSHIPS (as usual)
- BACK TO SCHOOL (it gets to be a domain this season!)
- WORK
Beyond goals —
- Any habits to focus on? Hmm. I know I’m very boring to continue to mention this, but I want to continue to work on my “checking” habits AND aim for Reddit-free (yes again) except I want to allow myself ~30 minutes weekly to bask in the glorious Hobonichi subreddit as the traditional product reveals unfold!!! It’s going to be a VERY FULL month, and if there is ever a month I could use extra focus and less time lost to the black hole of my phone, it is this one.
- FUN/CONNECTION AUDIT! Hmm . . . well, this weekend definitely counts, and has a high concentration of fun, and the Keys trip at the end of the month, too! I also have a couple of back to school events that will have a social component and might be enjoyable. I think I will schedule some walk-and-talks with friends plus one date night out (maybe after my call week?) to add some sparkle to mid-month.
With that in mind I will set the actual goals and report back!! Just took a walk with 2 of my friends this AM, successfully signed A/G up for the dance classes they wanted (big win!), and have a fun day up ahead with my friends.
7 Comments
Oof, call week without your nanny will be challenging, especially with Josh’s hours!! Hopefully it all goes as smoothly as possible.
The photo from your beach walk looks so relaxing! I hope you are having the best time with your college friends!
August is still full-on summer for us. We have our annual vacation the week of August 18th at my parents. So the boys have 2 more weeks of their child-care programs and then they’ll be at my parents lake home for the rest of August (one week with us, one week of grandparent camp) as they start school the week after Labor Day. I need to get school supplies for Paul. I had gone w/ him in the past as I remember loving going with my mom but he really does not care AT ALL about school supplies so I’ll probably go on my own to make it a more pleasant experience overall. My husband and I are counting down the days until our 4yo is done with this daycare – can’t wait for one drop off + his school-based PK program does not have a sandbox (we loathe sandboxes so so so so so so so much).
We are still deep in summer mode. School starts September 2 here. But it is going to be busy. We have some family visiting. I am getting the final notes on my manuscript today and will turn those in the next couple of week. My big kid turns 18 (!) this month. And the month will end with my absolute favorite day of the year — my husband and I will have our annual day-date at the U.S. Open the Friday before Labor Day.
We’re on team back to school! The kids found out who their teachers are officially today (it got leaked unofficially earlier in the week), and we need to finish school supply shopping this weekend. I’m taking a couple days off next week to go to the beach and to a water park – the last summer requests 🙂
I just bought a new pair of sandals today which had been a summer goal! Thankfully they are year-round gear!!
You’ve inspired me- I’m going to sit down today and figure out what the heck is going on this month. I know the big things- school starts the 11th- but after that I just have a vague idea that there are football games and… well, other things. We don’t have the official calendar for band events yet but I’m sure I can find it somewhere. I like your new month energy!
Wow I thought Palm beach was a week earlier but we are more in sync this year!!
Hi Sarah,
I have been a listener for years, and I really enjoy your podcast. I finally got your newsletter and found your site. I am very excited to see your book, and look forward to reading it once it comes out. My planner of choice are Laurel Denise planners, where I do quarterly planning as well as yearly planning.
As an author and writer, most of my time is spent writing or editing my books or helping out some friends. I have a book coming out, called Organize Your Stuff, Sustainable Ways to Declutter Your Space. I would love to send you a copy once I get it published and printed. Or as an e-book, whichever you prefer. Instead of doing the organizing by room, it is by categories. Which might actually help more people. Anyway, LOVE the podcast, and I look forward to checking out more of your site.