Just Keep Swimming

     Sometimes, we feel as if we are drowning. Work, children, finances, repairs, hobbies and even outings with friends can weigh down our schedules and leave us feeling exhausted and worn.

      Sometimes, it can be worse. There are times when life can feel a bit like the movie, "Groundhog Day". 

      Get up, do a ton of stuff, fall into bed, exhausted and already weighed down by tomorrows list of stuff to do.

      This is where it is really important to know your own goals. I don't mean have some vague idea about winning the lottery and moving to Aruba. I mean really know your goal. Have a file or notebook and have your notes ready to review occasionally. 

     What do I have in my file?

      I have done research. How much will my "goal" cost? (this can be an approximation, but to allow for time, inflation and other variables, I wrote down the costs involved and added 30%. I always do this because there are always added expenses that I either did not know, or forgot to write down.)

      Next, I write a timeline with financial goals listed along the way. This way I can actually see progress. 

      Next, I sketch, doodle, and generally just play around with the ideas. This is the fun part that will remind me why I am doing everything that I do.

     The last section of my file contains all of the notes. If this is a redecorating project, it will contain pictures, color samples and ideas. If this is a large project, I will have taken notes that pertain to that project. 

     Why on earth would I do this? 

      Because there are days....

      There are days when I wake up and think, "Not today! Please not another day! I just want to hide under my bed."

       Those are the days that I realize that if I want any of the projects to work out, I will need to maintain a certain amount of progress. I can see how much harder I will need to work to recover from a "lost day".  

      If I have enough of these days in a row, I will consider altering things. Maybe my timeline was unrealistic. Maybe I should losen up.

    By the same token, if I am floating along on easy street, there is a chance that I will work even harder and change the timeline to reflect the speedier progress.

      The most important thing is to keep my goals in focus. It makes it a lot easier to just keep swimming when the ocean feels so large... Especially if I am able to look behind me and see how far I have already gone.