JANA! Thank you so much for the shoutout 💌 I loved reading “this is Substack we make the rules” because it’s so true and I think doing these checkins are important to look at where your are in your journey rather than just focusing on the end results.
You’re most welcome. 100% true. Our publications, our rules. Yes, I want to get into a monthly habit of reviewing what’s been going on, well and not so well. I get harsh with myself a lot. Thank you for your engagement. It means a lot.
Yes, sure. The best is to use the process however you see fit and work for you. After action or monthly 😊 I like the idea you mentioned you will cover in your newsletter. So, feel free to link it here once it is published.
I love the idea of using monthly reviews to realign with goals and priorities. I'm already a big fan of productivity systems, but I often find myself getting bogged down in the day-to-day tasks. This seems like a great way to zoom out and make sure I'm still on track. Thanks for sharing!
I'm so glad to hear that, Alex! And thank you for engaging. I am very much interested in productivity systems, so I hope you'll share some in near future 😊
Each of us finds or looks for what works for our peculiar preferences. I am fine with one day, one week at a time and I have a monthly calendar where appointments and meetings get scheduled in. I make plans as insurance for the future which may or may not materialize. I like being flexible, adaptable, without living in a pre-packed container. As for a monthly review, not something in my wheelhouse. I have a record of the past, mostly via journal type notes to self and leave them there with an occasional asterisk in the margin so I can go back and find something I might have thought I wanted to pursue. Thus far, I've made it through the weeds and sailing on. I tend to focus on now as indicated from the title of my post, "From Both Sides Now" emphasizing living in the moment. That takes us to the next one, and on we go. When the fire is burning within, no need to rekindle. :-)
I love that, Gary. And I love the idea behind your publication. This is why I subscribe to "From Both Sides Now": to get myself into here-and-now thinking instead of looking too far into the future. Reviewing the progress is the key for me, as I often take a wooden stick to myself and rarely ever appreciate the progress. So many times, I've accomplished a goal only to appreciate it for a day. Then, the next day, I went back to thinking: What's next? I'm not proud of it. It's a lot of work in progress. This is what's impressive about Substack, especially its connection with readers and writers. It allows for gaining perspective from others, taking on wisdom and forming new views and habits. Thank you so much for your engagement. Your input is so valuable.
"Work in progress" such a good description and I love the double entendre. Work works either as a noun or a verb. What is your work? What do you love to do most? Not what is your job. A job is what we have to do to get to our work. Pay the bills, paper work, maintenance. I once had a teacher, who when I translated something correctly, said, "Get out your third arm, Mr. G and give yourself a pat on the back." I thought it was kind of silly. Not so much now. Maybe you could give yourself a few more pats on the back, for "well done, Jana." and enjoy the success of accomplishing your goals.
That is such good advice, Gary. We all need those pats on the backs. I will take this one forward with me. Thank you for sharing it with me.
I think the answer to what is my work, dream work, is to make a difference. Even if it is one person who finds some use or benefit from what I have written, I’d say job well done. Your input means a lot. You have so much wisdom to share ❤️
Happy to share, not sure about the wisdom part, but thanks, regardless. Egads! (Whoever says that anymore?) Regardless reminds me of an older post of mine, "Press On Regardless." Seems to fit here too.
Just as Jana is, I'm enticed by "From Both Sides Now." I shall check that out. Nowness is bliss regardless of exterior pain... Who said that? Crap! I did 😁
Hi Jana! My point was that when it comes to setting and missing goals, it pays to understand the larger context. For me, I missed a goal I had set for myself and at first I was beating myself up about it and felt down. After I thought about it, I realized that the goal I had missed was a pretty ambitious one, and missing it hadn't hurt my overall progress a bit. The point is that it's good to have goals because they push us to do better, but they also should be realistic. Thanks for the mention!
Yes, it was valuable point. Each goal has mini-goals/ sub-goals, milestones. Missing some won't affect the overall objective - the big goal. I love the topic of goals, it could go on for hours. Thanks for your input, Mack. It's always appreciated.
The importance of reviewing is huge, I always get a buzz when I've updated my Micro-Goals spreadsheet. It's so easy not to feel your own progress in real-time, but when you are literally editing numbers in a table upwards it gives you a great sense of accomplishment. 🤓
Oh, that buzz makes it worthy! I love the Micro-Goals term. I do something similar with the subscriber count, not that I'm obsessed 😅, but purely to check that the growth is still there.
Thank you for sharing, Kate. It means a lot. I am so glad it resonated.
JANA! Thank you so much for the shoutout 💌 I loved reading “this is Substack we make the rules” because it’s so true and I think doing these checkins are important to look at where your are in your journey rather than just focusing on the end results.
You’re most welcome. 100% true. Our publications, our rules. Yes, I want to get into a monthly habit of reviewing what’s been going on, well and not so well. I get harsh with myself a lot. Thank you for your engagement. It means a lot.
🥰🥰🥰👍👍👍
Thank you for this Jana, it's beautiful.
I havent been in the reflection mode lately..this is very helpful to set up my reflection and review process.
Thank you!
That’s good to hear. I hope it'll help and you can always return and let me know how you found it. You're most welcome
Will absolutely do Jana, thank you so much 😊
Lovely, Jana! IMHO, reviewing is the key to living a better life, and the framework of the review is paramount. 💯
Doing an After Action Review is my sweet spot, and what I have been using for decades.
BUT, it's done continually after actions rather than just end of month.
Think about this: how good would it be to have your Internal Coach activated 💬, accepting 💬, and tuned in? 💬
The After Action Review is a simple three question process that you can do swiftly in the moment and on demand.
The great news is the details will be in one of the first dozen articles in my Life's a Game newsletter, which will launch soon. Very. Soon. 🎯
Yes, sure. The best is to use the process however you see fit and work for you. After action or monthly 😊 I like the idea you mentioned you will cover in your newsletter. So, feel free to link it here once it is published.
How sweet, Jana. Now I'll figure out how to get back where 😁
I love the idea of using monthly reviews to realign with goals and priorities. I'm already a big fan of productivity systems, but I often find myself getting bogged down in the day-to-day tasks. This seems like a great way to zoom out and make sure I'm still on track. Thanks for sharing!
I'm so glad to hear that, Alex! And thank you for engaging. I am very much interested in productivity systems, so I hope you'll share some in near future 😊
Thanks so much for mentioning my piece! Such a big, longtime believer in the monthly review day. My next live one is on August 5th ❤️
You're welcome. It was a great article, super actionable.
Sounds like a good practice to help us achieve our goals more effectively, Jana.
It can also help us realize if we've faltered or strayed from our objectives and remind us to get back on track.
I could not say it better! Agreed! 😊
Each of us finds or looks for what works for our peculiar preferences. I am fine with one day, one week at a time and I have a monthly calendar where appointments and meetings get scheduled in. I make plans as insurance for the future which may or may not materialize. I like being flexible, adaptable, without living in a pre-packed container. As for a monthly review, not something in my wheelhouse. I have a record of the past, mostly via journal type notes to self and leave them there with an occasional asterisk in the margin so I can go back and find something I might have thought I wanted to pursue. Thus far, I've made it through the weeds and sailing on. I tend to focus on now as indicated from the title of my post, "From Both Sides Now" emphasizing living in the moment. That takes us to the next one, and on we go. When the fire is burning within, no need to rekindle. :-)
I love that, Gary. And I love the idea behind your publication. This is why I subscribe to "From Both Sides Now": to get myself into here-and-now thinking instead of looking too far into the future. Reviewing the progress is the key for me, as I often take a wooden stick to myself and rarely ever appreciate the progress. So many times, I've accomplished a goal only to appreciate it for a day. Then, the next day, I went back to thinking: What's next? I'm not proud of it. It's a lot of work in progress. This is what's impressive about Substack, especially its connection with readers and writers. It allows for gaining perspective from others, taking on wisdom and forming new views and habits. Thank you so much for your engagement. Your input is so valuable.
"Work in progress" such a good description and I love the double entendre. Work works either as a noun or a verb. What is your work? What do you love to do most? Not what is your job. A job is what we have to do to get to our work. Pay the bills, paper work, maintenance. I once had a teacher, who when I translated something correctly, said, "Get out your third arm, Mr. G and give yourself a pat on the back." I thought it was kind of silly. Not so much now. Maybe you could give yourself a few more pats on the back, for "well done, Jana." and enjoy the success of accomplishing your goals.
That is such good advice, Gary. We all need those pats on the backs. I will take this one forward with me. Thank you for sharing it with me.
I think the answer to what is my work, dream work, is to make a difference. Even if it is one person who finds some use or benefit from what I have written, I’d say job well done. Your input means a lot. You have so much wisdom to share ❤️
Happy to share, not sure about the wisdom part, but thanks, regardless. Egads! (Whoever says that anymore?) Regardless reminds me of an older post of mine, "Press On Regardless." Seems to fit here too.
Yes, wisdom, Gary 😊 egads? I had to dictionary it. See, I was right about the wisdom part
I shall check out your post now
Just as Jana is, I'm enticed by "From Both Sides Now." I shall check that out. Nowness is bliss regardless of exterior pain... Who said that? Crap! I did 😁
Hi Jana! My point was that when it comes to setting and missing goals, it pays to understand the larger context. For me, I missed a goal I had set for myself and at first I was beating myself up about it and felt down. After I thought about it, I realized that the goal I had missed was a pretty ambitious one, and missing it hadn't hurt my overall progress a bit. The point is that it's good to have goals because they push us to do better, but they also should be realistic. Thanks for the mention!
Yes, it was valuable point. Each goal has mini-goals/ sub-goals, milestones. Missing some won't affect the overall objective - the big goal. I love the topic of goals, it could go on for hours. Thanks for your input, Mack. It's always appreciated.
I love the message of this post! 👏
The importance of reviewing is huge, I always get a buzz when I've updated my Micro-Goals spreadsheet. It's so easy not to feel your own progress in real-time, but when you are literally editing numbers in a table upwards it gives you a great sense of accomplishment. 🤓
Oh, that buzz makes it worthy! I love the Micro-Goals term. I do something similar with the subscriber count, not that I'm obsessed 😅, but purely to check that the growth is still there.
Thank you for sharing, Kate. It means a lot. I am so glad it resonated.