On Accountability, Prioritizing You, and Getting Stuff Done.

The other day, while I was doing my weekly Target run for diapers, I bought a book for myself.  

This wasn't revolutionary for me-- I buy books all the time (book shopping>clothes shopping every day of the week, amiright?)

What followed, though, changed my entire week.

I asked my mom to babysit an extra hour and I drove myself to a cafe and spent that hour READING FOR FUN.

I haven't read for fun in over a year. (GASP)

And I cannot tell you how amazing it felt.  When I read, I recharge.  When I read, I get all kinds of amazing ideas that pop up in my head-- ideas for fun family outings, or new products to launch, or what I want to make for dinner, or what to write about on this blog.

Each day last week, I prioritized my reading.  Before I started on my daily tasks, I gave myself one chapter and a cup of tea.

I. FELT. SO. GOOD. THIS. WEEK.

Mind you, this is the busiest time for me personally and professionally.  My responsibilities in my offline life to the school districts I support is ramping up, holiday sales at Compliment are at an all-time high (so much making, packing, shipping!), and it's my baby's first Christmas.

This is why it was so revolutionary for me to say

Hold up.

Imma read now.

Do you find that you tend to prioritize everyone else's needs above your own?

Um, duh...

Of course you do. You are a woman.

I don't know anyone among us who is exempt from falling into this trap at some point.

But here's the thing.

When you get to prioritize the activities and projects that matter to you, you're putting gas in your tank to keep going for those you love.

It's the same in business.

I prioritize client work over creating nearly every day.  I take customer service really seriously and so once all the emails are answered and the projects are completed, THEN, I can start dreaming up new ways to be of service to others through Compliment.

Yeah... it actually doesn't work that way.

And I know this is a problem for nearly EVERY SINGLE business owner/side-hustler I know. 

They can never find the time to do xyz that they KNOW  they need to be doing to keep moving forward.

Dedicated time and space makes SUCH an impact on how we do everything.

One of my goals for 2018 is to find ways to be more proactive, rather than reactive.

I'm starting now and here's what it looks like:

1.) Showing up for myself with as much energy and fervor as I show up for others.

2.) Putting my creative/happy-making tasks on the top of my to-do list for the day so I have the energy to plow through my other responsibilities.

3.) Putting my phone on Do Not Disturb during my dedicated working time.

4.) Turning off my email client while I write so I don't get sucked out of my focus.

5.) Getting quiet for a minimum of 5 minutes a day to meditate.

6.) Making time each day to read, because I love it, it helps me grow, and it fills my tank.

How are you showing up for yourself, even during this busy holiday season?

How do you make yourself accountable to prioritize your special projects so that your tank stays full?