This is the first post of a series I will be posting on a monthly basis. In the last week or two, I have had some major life realisations, thanks to a bunch of seemingly unconnected and random things, all mixing in my mind to create an AHA! moment. As a result of these realisations, I have made some decisions on how to move forwards.

The main decision, is that I want to become more organised and start making long-term plans. I have always been good with setting short-term goals and completing them, but long-term ones just don’t happen. I never usually plan more than a month in advance, and hate it when I have to. But I am going to change this, by planning out my entire 2015, in January. Obviously, not every single day will be planned out, there will still be room for synchronicities and spontaneity, but I will book events, and plan where I am going to be, what projects I am doing and also put a financial plan into place. To do all of this, I have taken the first step, which is to purchase an organiser.

Now, most years, I get calendars and diaries, and by the end of January, I’ve stopped using them. So this time, I have had to get creative. I am putting everything into my organiser – my goals, dreams, to do lists, addresses, diary, notes – everything, so that I am more likely to keep it with me at all times. And to ensure that I bond with it, and don’t give up using it, I have even named it!

So let me introduce you to Astrid:

I bought extra inserts and of course, unicorn and rainbow 3D stickers, because let’s face it, planning doesn’t have to be boring!

A peak inside:

A few of my 2015 goals:

Now, I know that going from being a short-term planning procrastinator to a super productive long-term planner is not going to be simple and straightforward, and I will need to use a variety of techniques and get people to help me in my weakest areas, but I am writing this post, and I am sharing this with the world, because I am making a commitment to my future, to my success, and to living my life fully. And if I happen to find things that work for me, then I hope they may work for others too.

The major planning session is going to happen after Christmas, at the moment I am just gathering ideas and energy to implement these changes and to figure out what 2015 is going to feature.

So I hope you join me on my adventures with Astrid, it’s going to be an interesting ride!

(Oh and if you have any good tips, please do comment below and share! Thanks 🙂 )