Set Achievable Goals
If you have a week off or if you have two, we tend to envision all of the things we intend to accomplish, even if it is just binge-watching Netflix’s latest series. But, before we know it, spring break is over and we’re packing our lunches/preparing ourselves emotionally to return to work, feeling like we got nothing done, not even a sufficient amount of naps.
I have long been a follower of setting achievable goals for myself regularly so that when long spans of off-time arrive like spring break, I have a plan that includes rewards and brain breaks (more to those below.)
My grandmother had a frame on her wall, which is now on my wall, with several “Just for Today” tips, and one of them is, “Just for today, I will have a program. I might not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two enemies – hurry and indecision.”
While this frame has several other beautiful tips on life, I specifically love having programs and go back and forth between journaling in a physical notebook and using the digital planners I have designed for my iPad, which you may snag here for free if you would like to also sign up for my newsletter for more tips on life organization, writing, and creative teaching.
With my programs, I have created systems that rotate between intense focus on projects, inspired by the Pomodoro method, setting one to two hour timers for intense focus (depending on the project) and one hour to ninety minutes of brain breaks.
I have found that this system works very well for me, but this system is one I have developed over years of practice and playing with various productivity models. What matters is that you create systems that rotate tasks and healthy rewards. Make those systems appealing so you’ll want to get things done.
Create systems that rotate tasks and healthy rewards. Make those systems appealing, so you'll WANT to get things done.
Vishen Lakhiani is an entrepreneur I follow who has a saying that I’ll paraphrase as we overestimate what we think we can accomplish in a day, but underestimate what we can do in a week.
Spring break is no exception.
When it comes to setting achievable goals and creating systems that work for you, if there is a project that may take you a little bit more time, ask yourself, is there a way I can break up this task over multiple days so I don’t become bored with it or overwhelmed by it? Does this project even need to be done now or can it wait?
A good way to sort through your priorities and what matters to you is to separate your items into different categories, sort of like how you would with the Eisenhower Matrix as demonstrated with the stickie matrix I created in the image below.
I use those squares to help me sort out what projects I would like to achieve. Now, something I learned from James Clear’s Atomic Habits is to reframe how we look at items that may be a bit daunting. For example, instead of saying, “things to do,” reframe them in your mind and in your notes as “things to achieve.” By just changing the diction in how we regard something, it can help motivate us a bit more to take on that task. If you like the look of the squares above, it’s included in the free download mentioned above by signing up for my newsletter (I promise I don’t bite or spam and you’re also free to unsubscribe at any time).
Plan Your Week and Your Days
Also included in the free download is a simple, minimalist “Seize the week” digital calendar, which I use on my iPad or occasionally print as well. I typically try to check off one project from each of those squares a day. By breaking them down like this, I’m able to rotate through projects I need to do, then one I want to do, then one I have to do, then one I would love to do. In this way, this system automatically rewards me with something fun that I want to achieve after doing a task that may not be fun, but still has to get done.
I generally try to limit what I want to achieve on the weekends as I typically spend those days with my family and friends or just relaxing with my husband. When you’re planning your days, be sure to remember to build in brain breaks that make sense for you.
Brain Breaks & Self Care YOUR Way
Brain breaks can absolutely be within your “I would love to achieve” section on your matrix, or they can be like mine which are completely separate. I typically take brain breaks around 2pm which I know for me is when I need to step away from my computer or my books to give my eyes a rest.
My brain breaks include, going on walks around the neighborhood, barefooted so I have skin to soil grounding, which I find really helps to recenter me (if you replicate this, please keep an eye on the ground as you walk to keep your toesies safe). I will do some gardening or maintenance on my indoor plants or aquariums. Or I play video games. Now, I know I definitely can be swept away with video games (why is Minecraft so addicting?) so this is where setting that timer is a handy thing to do. Depending on how much I still have to do will determine for me if I’m taking a brain break for an hour or ninety minutes, but these breaks are meant to be guilt-free, fun, relaxation time, which is SO important for our brains.
Science is proving more and more how brain breaks benefit students and adults so our minds can have time to digest and process new information or stimuli, so take those breaks seriously by finding things that bring you joy.
If it’s painting, paint.
If it’s yoga, get your stretch on.
If it’s Lego, bust out that set! Do what makes you feel like you can breathe and celebrate life for a while. Don’t feel like you have to spend hundreds of dollars by going to a spa to get in some relaxation (although if that is at your disposal, go for it), but for those of us on a budget, try to create a space in your home, even if it’s a studio apartment, where you can physically turn your back to the area where you work, get it out of your sight, so your brain and soul may have a minute of R&R.
I hope these tips help you have a wonderful spring break and let me know what project you’re hoping to achieve in the comments below!
-Sarah
