Time For a New Plan?

by
Aisling Grimley.

I recently sent this note out to my second springers. I've had a lot of resonating emails in response to it, so I thought I should share it on the blog for those who aren't on my mailing list yet. I think September is the real start to the year for many of us - often a good time to make some plans.

Planning Planning

I’m just back from a short break and finding myself reenergized by having a think and a read. One of my holiday books was Shoeisms by Veronica Canning. It’s aimed at those of us who like to think things through, make plans and consider better ways to live. I’m going to give you a quick blast of what I learned from the book to see if it’s of interest or use to you:

If your head is sometimes full of plans and thoughts which are going round in circles it’s time to stop the buzz. I was feeling frustrated with myself and now I realize frustration can lead to fruitfulness – hurray! Christiane Northrup has a notion that ‘The Brain Catches Fire at Menopause’ and I think it can be a fire of fury and/or a fire of creativity. Let’s aim for the latter. Here’s what I took from Veronica Canning’s book. To help make it concrete for you I’m giving you examples of how it’s working for me:

Have a big dream, Veronica calls it The Big Ambitious Aim (BAA)– close your eyes and have a think about how you’d like your life to look in 10 years’ time. Note this down on a blank sheet. Consider the exact details of your ideal world scenario and write it all down. (Mine is to make My Second Spring into a successful commercial business)
Take ONE idea or goal at a time and work on it. (I’m working on the Autumn Series of Meet the Experts with My Second Spring)
Consider what is the small baby step that will lead you closer to achieving your aim. I find this useful in not scaring the life out of myself. (Email the Merrion Hotel and 3 potential speakers)
Get an ‘ideas box’ to dump articles, thoughts and notions for future reference. Don’t try to act on every thought and impulse. (Topics or speakers that are not included in this series of talks can be filed for future events)
Have a pen and some record cards beside your bed and make notes early in the morning as soon as you wake. This is very often our most lucid thinking time, so take advantage. This small action will probably save a lot of time later. (I’m scribbling away in the half light - woke yesterday thinking I need to find a sponsor)
Only take steps or actions that lead you in the direction of the BAA. I’m finding this is a great way to declutter my thoughts and actions. (Stop being distracted by irrelevant stuff on-line unless it lines up)

Are you still with me? I hope so! My planning was around My Second Spring but yours could equally concern finding a new job, starting a new hobby, writing a blog or book, going on a major trip or changing an important relationship. A friend just texted and she’s aiming for ‘A beach house in Greece. Alone.’

Please let me know if any of this resonates with you or if you have similar ways of managing the brain clultter or top tips to share with me.

If you missed Iseult O’Brien’s atmospheric photos and thought provoking account of her trip to Cuba check out her blog WISH YOU WEREN'T HERE.

Enjoy the rest of the summer season. I’ll be back to you in September with fleshed out details of our next series of Meet the Experts (and hopefully a sponsor!). I also have another bigger plan for us all, but one idea at a time…..

Best wishes

Aisling

PS If you work for or know of a company, product or publication that is like-minded and might be interested in sponsoring My Second Spring’s events please email me aisling@mysecondspring.ie

PPS If you aren't already on the mailing list please join here.