Routines, Goals and Planning for creative and type B personalities

I understand not everyone is into lists and planning.

Goal setting can be looked down upon by some as too formal. I think goal setting can look different for everyone - for some it can be as simple as articulating 1-3 big goals for the year to direct their energies and for others they prefer to break it down into steps and plan their actions etc. I think the overall idea is to live life intentionally and you can do that and still maintain who you are. It does not have to be a case of type A’s plan and type B’s wing it and hope for the best. I am a type A dreamer and I am sure there are type B planners. Since I am very visual I think some of my own methods translate well for type B’s.

For goal setting

Try a vision board or similar to act as a way to capture your goals and intentions – have your big picture represented. Often we can get overwhelmed and forget where we are headed and seeing something clear like this can remind you in an instant what you are working towards. It is a visual representation of what can otherwise be expressed in words and lists and charts.

For day to day planning

Try whiteboards for capturing ideas and action steps as they occur to you. You can use large multi-purpose boards or have separate boards for different contexts. You can add your calendar to a whiteboard, decorate them, and make them visually work for you (colour coding, sorting information).

If you want to try a daily sheet or list check out a more creative design (below) from Life made lovely that captures the information and intentions in a quirky, more artistic way.

Instead of filing away information try attractive folders in wire step frames where you can see them, be reminded of them and plan based on the files you see. I have two of these on my desk and one contains my simplify your life related files in one type of folder (each block of topics in a folder) and the other has colour coded folders for everything from blog work to kids school to things I want to learn.

 

 

 

For household management

For tasks that you normally avoid or don’t do regularly you can pull off the “just do it” approach by locking them into a routine. You can still remain free overall, but can decide to compromise for critical tasks that you can no longer ignore.

As an example you may not like regular cleaning, but need it in order to keep your spaces clear to get your work done or for your family to feel comfortable. Instead of following a strict chore chart and lists galore you can opt to tackle it routinely, but freely. Try locking in two one-hour cleaning sessions per week that involve loud music, your family or a friend and just start with what is most critical or the first thing you think of. Two sessions a week would probably maintain a clean home and it is still open to your choosing what to do and when. Flexibility within routine

The number one tip for right brain thinkers

A key difference between left brain thinkers and right is that type A left brain thinkers are analytical, logical and like to follow steps and procedures. Instead of forcing yourself to become more like the left brainers embrace who you are. Right brain type B’s have the strength of being creative thinkers who are superhero level brainstormers. Try to brainstorm ways that work for you and disregard how others react to the ideas.

If hanging your clothes on hooks or open shelves instead of putting them folded in drawers works for you to organise your bedroom then do it. If using a giant wall planner works for you instead of subscribing to a Franklin Covey “system” planner then that is right for you. Make it fun, make it suit your lifestyle and make sure it is something you will do regularly. When you get bored of a system or find you are no longer following the routine – change it up!

Having a plan and being organised does not mean you have your life set in stone. It just means for this moment you have some predictability for life essentials and approach the future with some level of intention.

 

Are you right or left brained and have you found any you-specific ways that finally got you organised or in a routine?

 

Find your simple,

Deb

Tagged as: creatives, goal setting, planning, type B