ON WINTER
Brrrrrrr is the buzzphrase of 2024 thus far. Those readers who, like this Philosopher-in-Residence, dwell in the chilly British Isles, have spent the past few days realising just what clear and cold days are really like in comparison with the sogfest of the twilight of ’23.
As I was saying to a client recently, January is one LONG month. We all need a bit of creativity and impetus to help us soldier through to the shorter and sweeter times of February and duly, Make Me A Plan is on hand with that routemap, courtesy of the below survival game.
IT’S A LOTTERY
Wherever you are on the opinionspectrum of monetary lotteries being a tax on the poor to a reasonable punt as someone’s got to win it, we trust you can enjoy this game and re-empower yourself to spend a little more time enjoyed as a break from time annoyed this January.
The premise is super-simple. Brew yourself your favourite beverage, settle down for a few minutes, and note down a basic list of hobbies you enjoy, little things you haven’t done for a while, anything that makes you smile.
If you’re a SuperPlanner like our ScreenFree team that pop up on MMAP’s social media each weekend, you might want to create a list for a whole monthful (since the aim of the game is to do one of these things each day).
Entry level option (which we recommend trying to ensure you stick to it) is a simple seven, so you can commit to one week and measure the impact straight away.
MMAP top tips:
Don’t overthink this.
Don’t choose things that will take masses of time/effort (you’re probably already low on these thanks to our aforementioned chum January)
Do choose a couple that will take a little longer and a couple that are super-quick and easy so that you have some wiggle room for bluesy days.
Do make sure you swap to another day rather than abandoning altogether if you miss a day for whatever reason.
A few ideas from this Philosopher-in-Residence’s January Jollity include;
Looking through a photo album
Taking a woodland walk, run, or roll
Visiting the beach
Spending 1 minute smiling
Listen to a favourite song
Tell someone why they are special
Do a puzzle
Colour a picture
If you tried and enjoyed this tactic, let us know – and check out our previous blog on Adult Hopscotch.
Next fortnight, I’ll be writing On Delegation, who will you get to read it? Please get in touch with any particular aspects of this subject you’d like me to write about.
In the meantime,
Happy Planning
PS If you want some other free tips for your business life, check out the Working Well blog – out fortnightly on Wednesdays, courtesy of Make Me A Plan’s Productivity Expert, Pen Le Kelly. Browse the latest edition here:
