monday and the shiny green notebook

It's monday and there is this snap in the air. The slight chill that hints of fall and then winter. I think this year I can handle it. Maybe even look forward to it (check back in a month or two and see if I am constantly whining about the cold weather).

Today I look toward a very busy work week, but am comforted by the apparent structure of it. It is probably only something that the "J" personality can relate to, but oh well. The guys are off to work and school and here I sit setting up my morning and week schedule. This is where the benefit of being self employed meets its challenge. The benefit is calling the shots myself, the challenge is the temptation to go back to bed.

So I open my shiny green notebook that holds the order to my days. Although I do most things in the cyber/digital realm, the organization of my time is still maintained in a quaint spiral notebook. My quirk, but when you find something that works for you, why fight it. My notebook is a culmination of ideas that I have come accross over the years to maximize time while still promoting inspiration. Instead of buying one of those "organizers" I resorted to designing my own tailored to my weirdnesses and rhythms. Each day of the week is different with things specific to that day along with more general categories that are left open until pencilled in on monday(pencilled for the ability for change). There are also various quotes and verses printed throughout to give me inspiration and reminders of what I do, and why I do it. Yes, I need reminding to stay focused. My notebook also contains a special page for fridays that reflect on the previous week and pages for specific project plans in the future.

So now you probably think I am nuts.

Could be, but it works for me. And I am sure it will continue to evolve for the rest of my life. In fact, I think there was some stuff in the da Vinci book that I need to add. Ok, where is that book. Here.

"Connessione:

A recognition of and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and phenomena."

This is a concept that helps me not to over compartmentalize. Even though my shiny green notebook helps to keep me on track, da Vinci reminds me that there is a natural flow of things and if one swims aggressively against the current then the only thing that is guaranteed is the exhaustion of self. So my book is a guide not a master. This concept also reminds me that my art is connected to my being a mother, as my business is connected to my being a wife, etc. If I do too much separation then there is a natural tendency to make one thing a "priority" which can sometimes be unhealthy especially if it is sacrificing relationship for work. Adam's curse. It also reminds me that I can throw in a load of wash while stratagizing next year's advertizing.

Ok, so I guess I can add this into my book somewhere, but for now I will begin checking off my monday items as I go. This week looks like it is going to be a highly extraverted week for me which means that I may need to take my artist's date* day (friday) and sleep. I will leave that open for now and see how I feel.

It is time to get to work.

* artist's date: time spent doing something fun to foster and feed the creative spirit. A necessary activity for filling the well. The body needs food to function. The creative spirit needs to be fed as well.