by Alena Wendall, @alenawendall

This year more than ever, I feel like we celebrated Thanksgiving and rushed into the Christmas season. With a full calendar from now until the second week of January it’s easy for us to get caught with the “busyness” of the holidays.  

Before we know it, 2021 will be here and with a new year comes new goals come new resolutions right? 

Knowing myself as I do, I try to use December to focus not only on the reason for the season but as a time to reflect on the past year. 

Did I accomplish my goals for 2019?

Why not? 

Was I not disciplined enough or was it because as 2019 marched on, goals changed?

You know what I found out? Both were true. I didn’t reach some goals because I wasn’t disciplined enough, others because as the year went on, my goals changed.  

This year, I made a concentrated effort to choose things I valued.

I went through Susan May Warren’s planner course.  A planner made specifically for creatives, no brainer right?

I juggle many projects, as we all do, and sometimes things can get a little helter skelter. Making lists and checking them off made me feel like I had some control. 

The planner included a video—that teaches you so much more than how to use the planner. Wow, was it an eye-opener. 

This year following the planner and the course on value-based living, I didn’t check off everything on my list, but I did live a more satisfied life.  The course helped me refine and think about my vision, strategy and tactics. 

How? I made choices based on my values.

Do this “thing?” or spend time with my kids?

Join this cool “group” or say no, and keep writing time?

As I see 50 approaching, I’m paying more attention to the choices I make. I want to live my “best” life and that means living based on what really matters to me, my values.  Checking items off my “to-do list” doesn’t always equate to that. 

If you need some help, try out the planner. It was worth the time spent. Just ask my kids.

Blessings,

Writing as Alena Wendall, Alena Tauriainen pens contemporary Christian romance novels that always end with a happily ever after. By day, she partners with her lifelong mate Clyde, to run the family HVAC business. She manages both business and family life with four lovable but crazy kids. She is the Retreats Coordinator for My Book Therapy. She is represented by Rachelle Gardner with Books & Such Literary Management. Visit her at alenawendall.com.