goals – Lessons from the Sidelines

Powersheets in Review

Posted on December 13, 2018March 14, 2020 by Beth Walker

I’m reflecting on Powersheets today. I’m pleased to say that I was diligent about using this binder for all of 2018, but of course, some months were more intentional than others.

Here’s What I Loved:

I loved that the tending page is one page. It has clear boundaries which require goals to stay simple. Additionally, they have sections for daily, weekly, and monthly goals all in one space.

I loved the quarterly check-in pages. I was way over ambitious January-March of 2018 with the number of goals I set as well as all the action steps they required. Still, when I sat down to review things I realized my diligence had paid off and 2 goals were already accomplished for the year. Evaluating each quarter allowed me to redefine some goals and remove others off my to-do list.

I loved how sturdy the binder is! My Powersheets look almost brand new even though they were dragged in my work bag all over town.

I love how many ways are provided to consider goals. By including brainstorming pages I was able to think about goals differently. Halfway through the year I identified my biggest stressors I restructured my goals to meet the most stressful one first. This meant I needed to reprioritize somethings temporarily, but now that the goal is complete I’m thrilled!

Here’s What I Didn’t Love (and How I’m Fixing That)

There aren’t any pockets, so I found myself paperclipping extra notes throughout the pages. I stumbled upon a photo post in the Powersheets Facebook Group and there is an easy (and cute) way to add pockets by taping cardstock to the front and back cover. Easy fix!

I didn’t want to add a day planner to my stack of resources since I mainly use a digital calendar for work and family activities. Still, there are some action steps that are helpful to plan out with goals. I am guessing I’m not the only person who was looking for an in-between option because this year the Cultivate What Matters team created a Weekly Sticky Notepad

What I’m Adding

This year I’m adding a smidge more accountability. As a verbal processor, I often find that ideas aren’t clarified until I’ve considered different angles. Talking through goals and outcomes is a valuable part of the Powersheets process for me, as well as the accountability of showing someone which goals I did and didn’t achieve each month. I’ve started sending a photo of each tending sheet to my friend Harmony at the beginning and end of each month.

In addition to bi-weekly chats with a girlfriend in town, Harmony’s voice is one I value because I know she will thoughtfully ask questions I’ve yet to consider.

Entering year two of Powersheets I’ve also spent more intentional time on the prep worksheets. I’m expectant for what 2019 holds, but I’m entering the year with different goals, including striving for a different daily pace for our family. If you are on the fence about using Powersheets but have a goal you want to chip away at I encourage you to take the leap. Powersheets is a little more work than other goal setting strategies I’ve used but it’s 1000% times more effective.

Why not invest a little time and money into yourself this year? I guarantee it will pay dividends for decades.

Thank God for Powersheets

Posted on October 23, 2018March 14, 2020 by Beth Walker

I haven’t written much about Powersheets this year, but I have used them faithfully and this month I realized they are an invaluable part of my daily routine. The process of reflecting on the month as it comes to an end is great, but it is the Tending List which has helped me establish boundaries an follow through on goals.

This month has been one of the craziest I’ve experienced in a very long time. It’s a month of my own doing, and I am in not bragging when I say I am juggling so many things I drop one of them at least once a day. I’ve had to reschedule more meetings with friends than I care to admit and I’m not exaggerating when I say the ONLY reason my family has had dinner is due to an amazing sale Prep.Freeze.Cook had in August coupled with a day of freezer meals I stashed.

It’s amazing how productive one can be when they know they are heading into a season where there is little to no margin and yet still not take steps to avoid the season altogether. But that is a subject for another day!

When my days are full to overflowing during football season I become reliant on the alarm of my Google calendar, but there are many things that need my attention that I don’t consider calendar appointments. Exercise, devotions, writing, volunteering and time spent planning dates with all the men in my house are important, but not calendar appointments.

This is why Powersheets has become my favorite tool for prioritizing and remembering.

The Tending List divides items into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Each space allows for notes and tracking. Let’s be honest, when the to-do list seems endless it’s even more satisfying to checkmark tasks complete! But I’ve learned something more important than writing out a to-do list this month.

By taking a few minutes at the beginning of the month to acknowledge that even in a very busy time there are things that are important for self-care and family care I wrote out my true priorities. As the month continued and balls were occasionally dropped I could look at my Tending List and remind myself that I was doing my best to balance everything, including my family’s needs.

There were some days where I knew I had things to do and I couldn’t figure out where to start. A quick glance at my Tending List would remind me of where I needed to focus my time. There were also days where I knew I needed to conserve my energy. Again, that simple list helped me to make quick decisions. I knew I could trust the list because I had spent so much time planning out and praying over my priorities earlier in the month.

Powersheets go on sale tomorrow and I’m so excited to get my 2019 set ordered! If you are looking for a system to help you stay organized when you have margin in your life and when things get overbooked, I encourage you to check out Lara Casey’s website Cultivate What Matters.

We cannot cultivate what we do not prioritize. And while I hope never to have another month that is quite as intense as this one has been, I’ve been a coach’s wife long enough to know that it’s more likely than not to repeat itself! I’m thankful for a tool that allows me to reflect on all areas of my life and prioritize what I value.

**I’ve included an affiliate link for my friend Heather! Show her a little love and buy your Powersheets through her link.