A while back I wrote about how I use a customized planner. It’s a work in progress and six weeks ago I switched to using a lined, roughly five by eight inch Moleskin. It’s a pretty basic set up with my manifesto written in the front, a two page spread for each month (one page for the calander and one for my monthly goals), a two page spread for each week where I list my goals for each area of my life, and a two page spread for each day with a calendar on one page and, currently, the other page contains:
- Morning gratitudes
- A big thing to remember, which is what is the point of this post
- Things that will move my priorities forward
- My wins / things that I should celebrate from the day
- Lessons / things I can improve on from the day
- Evening gratitudes
I write the first four on that page first thing in the morning, though sometimes #3 the night before, and always before I look at my phone. I complete the final three at night. I can fit about three months into the book using this format.
A lot of journals these days include many of these elements. Most include a daily inspirational quote. Publishers who do this are well intentioned, but I think they should include “Inspirational Quote” or something like that, and a blank space. That’s what the “Big Thing to Remember” is in my planner.
Every day I include an inspiring note or quote that fits with what I believe I’m facing that day. It doesn’t have to be long, in fact I only leave a space of three lines for this, and it doesn’t have to be deep. Some of them are big, general things, and some are more detailed. I note inspiring quotes when I come across them and then can pull them out when I need them. Some examples:
- “Strong back, soft front, wild heart” – Brené Brown
- “Live, love, matter” – Brendon Burchard
- “You don’t need anybody’s permission to live a creative life” – Elizabeth Gilbert from Big Magic
- “Don’t follow the path. Go where there is no path and begin the trail.” – Ruby Nell Bridges
- “Live fully, love deeply, laugh often” – from the new leather bracelet that I bought myself and wear every day
Some days I just write “Live my manifesto” because I want to try to remember the big picture in my life, that I’m trying to be the best person that I can for myself, my family, those around me, and the world in general.
Don’t rely on others to tell you what should inspire you today. Find your own inspiration, take note of it, remind yourself, and live it.
