Love having a physical Diary again

I have tried digital planners but I like to plan physically because for me it enters into my mind better and stores it and I think its a science. I would love to study the mind and find out if writing is better rather than digital? I wonder what results I'd find? 

It is good to get a pretty diary as for me it helps to use it. I no longer use Filofax and use a physical book type diary. I have a wall calendar and I have found it more functional for me and its seeing it in front of me making it easier to remember what is happening and its there in plain site. 

I have my sons terms dates near by so having it on a pinboard aswell as a diary more simple and a notebook and using paper. I recycle. I am still using Notion but have two lists and that's it and I get satisfaction ripping paper up. I use the Notebook APP but that is for any codes or things and brief notes and trying to use my phone less. 

In browsing on google I asked "Is writing things down better than typing them up all the time?"

The response was: Writing things down by hand is better for memory, learning, and conceptual understanding, but it is not necessarily better "all the time" depending on your goals. Neuroscience studies show that the physical act of handwriting activates broader, more synchronized electrical patterns (such as theta and alpha waves) across multiple regions of the brain—including motor, visual, and language circuits—which helps encode new information into long-term memory. Typing, by contrast, is faster and more efficient for capturing large volumes of text verbatim, but it engages fewer neural circuits and often leads to shallower, more passive cognitive processing.

I have used Google Calendar which I do need to alter and is good as its free and Notion is good but I find I am using it less and I like to use online tools for blogs and creating my books, but not all the time because too much screen isn't good. 

Yes google calendar I use but just reminders but I find it clogs up my email and with Notion it doesn't and it is free if you use it for personal use rather than business. 

So tell me do you prefer a physical diary still?

Please use the comments box below.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

I am all about lists

I love a list. Honestly I am a list nerd, if there is such a thing. I have a list of things that I want to do and need to work on, on a piece of paper in my wordsearch book. I often will do things that I have listed for ages but it is because it helps me to organise and separate tasks. 

                                                  

Yes I will often do things not on a to list but will take note of what I have done so ends up on a list. 

My mum is the same. It helps to revise my daily and weekly plans and stay in my brain even if it is not urgent but is noted should I have a gap of time to do it. 

I stores online where you can create a wish list and list of what I want to write and book ideas, blogs and finance. You name it is listed somewhere. 

My nan would write a list, my grandad and would watch the horse racing on TV and keep a list of who won and it just was embedded in me and I find it a functional. A good start to the week is having a list. In my journal I will write down what I thought was good on some days and what was the highlights of the week and that I keep notes of my son school events and just helps to remind me, having so much to remember. 

I do have lists on Notion too, but I am finding that I am using it less and may unsubscribe but will see. I have gone backwards and forwards with it and so not sure if I will continue. 

I have created my own templates to organise my weeks using Google Docs, but find it easier to write and not use these either and I love a notebook. I like a scrap piece of paper and after my laptop dying if written down it can't go missing and is stored without my laptop crashing. I like to carry a notebook too. I have used my phone but often runs out of storage and so it just easier for me and can jot down things as I go. 

It is good to have written and feel people are so consumed with technology. I have found since using my laptop my writing is bad and so I like to write. It helps my handwriting and it will always be my thing, 

I see people use their phones on Youtube to Pastor, on a Podcast or a video, but for me I like to write and have specific notebook and plenty of paper to write and how I function. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

New Way of Planning and Staying On The Right Track, Getting Things Done

I have tried so many different ways to be organised and now I use post its. Check out my New Vlog: https://youtu.be/iryXj4wW1-A It feels so good to rip them off and tare them up. There are some daily tasks, weekly and yearly. 

It is up to you what works, with your Lifestyle, my word of this year, but I am finding this to be even more effective along with Notion and my other notepads. It is good to have a vision board and perhaps use smaller post it notes, but gonna keep with the post its I am using now and continue to build it up to help me to complete tasks and working on projects. 

Not everything goes to plan but doesn't mean that you should change your plans. With life you may have to alter your plans, but finding a method that works best.

Stop doing things to satisfy others. Focus on what works for you. 

I love a simple systems and it is good to be relaxed about it and if you feel you need more rest then do so. 

Often it is good to stop plans and decide on the day. 

It is good to have a flexible approach and often it is good to let others decide. I feel it is good to do something different from your normal plans. Weekends my son goes to sports clubs and it gives me a break and I enjoy going to see my son do his football training and his rugby. 

So look at what is working and what is not. What you enjoy and a visual plan near me it helps me to find better ways to stay on track. I am homeschooling at the moment and so making sure my son does some learning. We like go for walks and I enjoy planning these and so make sure we make that a priority and note it down and pin to my pinboard. 

Also Pinterest. I love that platform. I love creating vision boards. thetypicalLondongal - Profile | Pinterest

Canva is good too. I use this to create my videos boards I call them for my Vlog channel: youtube.com/@typicallondongal

I am not sponsored, but if they did I would accept, on all online platforms I use and can use these  platforms on my phone and that is simple to use. 

So how do you plan and stay on track, getting things done? Please share. You can use the comment box below. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Doing things that aren't on any list

When it is comes to organisation there are some days where I like to do some tasks that aren't on any list, like now, illustrating my logo for my Life Coaching programme, I do each year using Canva and just going to try different ideas. 

My usual set up where I write and creating online projects if not the the dining table, on the sofa instead.

I began making my Trifle and yes planned to do this before Christmas so removed from the list and this evening I began makin it whilst making dinner. Looking at it in the fridge the Jelly has formed and now later will be adding custard. 

Also I find with To do list it can be restrictive and my mind will tell my body, "No I don't feel like doing that today" so will then answer in my mind "What is it I want to do?". 

I have been unwell so that has had an influence in what I can do with what I feel like doing. 

So I have been doing one task I planned and using the sofa as a my office and doing tasks that can be done not using the laptop. Example I set my Writing journal. 

I wrote ideas for a Cheat Sheet I do each Monday and give tips and ideas on looking after yourself and others, the home, building our feelings about getting you life somewhat together. Check out my blog Everyone can build a castle.

I wrote it down then posted it yesterday on my laptop and planning my meals for the week and watching educational videos or podcasts. I have discovered a new Youtube channel. It is live footage of Heathrow Airport and of planes taking off and landing. I know this may not excite you but as kid my nan would take us to Heathrow to watch the planes and still a love of mine. 

I find it therapeutic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwKHnAGiajM  

Okay perhaps that can be a sign of procrastination but I just like to be calm being that I have been super anxious but listening to my body and mind, have fed it what it needs. I don't want writing, feel like a chore but helps me to switch off and write what I would find interesting and like doing tasks that are not on the list at times and that I have started the day on a good note still in terms of organisation and the same when the day ends, but mixing things up.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Getting things done

I took a break from blogging to focus on my books, vlogs and completing some courses I have been doing, and it has really helped. I wrote a blog yesterday on my other site, about taking a break: https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com/2024/02/15/when-you-need-to-take-a-break/ 

one thing I like to do is journal with a lovely homemade Coffee with cream ad marshmallows 

It is important to go through what is to be completed, and break them down and I brain dump each Sunday to plan for the week ahead and doing short long lasting habits, like planning each week, listening to Atomic Habits do 2 minute habits and it has really be a great method. 

Each Sunday I go through my finances and on Monday update my expenses spreadsheet on Excel and plan the pages I want to edit of my book I want to publish, and words I want to write on another book I am writing along with a non fiction book and make sure when school starts to make sure that my sons uniform and bag is ready, that I get his breakfast done and as soon as my alarm goes off I will get up make my bed and get dressed. 

I plan step by step and make sure my clothes are laid out for me along with other items such as my Skincare and haircare, and spend time with a cup of tea and coffee, now though the one area I need to get a hold off is my diet but that is getting sorted out. If you lose your way it is important to get back up again and grow your self belief.

Organizing is about for me having simple systems, positive and selfcare habits, that you know you can stick too and if some things are tricky you delegate and share the organizing with your family. 

My son offers to help now so I let him and will when he finishes his dinner put his plate and cutlery near the sink, he will help tidy away the plates etc after we have eaten and my husband will help washing up and make sure I help to clean and tidy, and is a joint effort.

I commute to Wimbledon to Epsom each week and make sure my bedroom in Wimbledon is tidy and organized and have a regular declutter in both homes in Epsom and Wimbledon and that I pack with with plenty of time and fit in some exercise and spending time playing with my son and just not get bogged down and sleep well by switching everything off and charge my phone over night and do some reading.

So as it is Saturday writing this, normally my day away from my laptop going to enjoy the rest of the day and watch a bit of football and chill for the rest of the day.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Get ready for a new year

Planning my content

I will be getting my content planned more for 2022 and organize when I will be writing my blogs and set up my projects better and it is good to make changes when something isn't working anymore or needs to be better.

I love the fact that anyone in the world are reading my content and watching my Youtube video.

 

Setting out my goals 

When it comes to setting my goals I do this quarterly and use this time of the year to start thinking about them and one is to do some fundraising events again, and want to get back into running again and find a new fitness plan that I can stick too. I can imagine that there are others who want to do the same, and it to be suitable for your life. 

I am guilty of comparing and not feeling good enough and has been a progression to look at myself in a positive light and that everyone is different and that is okay.  

Reflecting 

I like to reflect on each year and how I felt it went and what will I do differently for the next year and what I loved and enjoyed. It should be based on the different things in my life and how I can improve in many different areas of my life. 

Completing tasks

I like to go through tasks not completed and needs to be finished. I do plan on doing another reset to get things completed and sort many of areas of my life out some more and what I want to do next. 

For me this is important and map out my goals personal and work, and then play. I would like to go to more shows and visiting the theatre and take my son to more rugby matches, as he loves seeing the London Broncos who are are a rugby league club that I have followed for many years, and would like to go on a proper holiday. 

There are still many things I would like to have in my life and that is having more books written and grow my blogs even more and do more to reach out and make a difference. 

I want to meet more people and miss going out with friends and having a few drinks. 

If you want to check out my Pinterest then you can, and have started creating pins for my Life coaching programme I have done for the last two years, the 2023 Project and so check out it out: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/life-coaching2023-project/

There will be further printables created for 2023 and let you know once these have been done. 

I still want to focus on this year as it isn't ended yet and got tasks to complete before then like my book and doing another free course. 

So what are your plans and what are you going to do for the new year? You can leave a comment below. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

Organizing on my birthday

Getting to grips with organizing can take its time, but I like the result at the end where the floor is clearish as I like to lay my shoes out and like a functional work space and got clothes to be put away. Yet today is my birthday and don't feel like doing much, but feel I can't do nothing, so I fancy doing a bit of admin perhaps edit a video and just do little bits. I am filming a day/week in a life and so this will be going up probably next week, and it still doing something and document today.

If I find I don't want to do as planned then I am going to be okay with that for today. I did write a mini list so I am not having total break, but again see how I feel. I find when it is my birthday that I want to something different from the norm, and today was planning on doing a long walk, but hopefully I will to do this next Monday so going to be on hold, but still do some walking and fancy looking around the shops, but again may leave that and getting myself a donut with a coffee and taking eating it at my son's house in Epsom. 

You only get one birthday and so not going to waste today, and tonight I am going for a meal at Wagamma's and perhaps have a cocktail and then it is back home and get ready for the Wednesday, and so gonna take my time and see how I feel and make the most of what I want to do and worry about what I need to do for the rest of the week. 

When it comes to organizing it is important to have rest days or a night off and so for that is usually Saturday's and this includes social media, I only like to post on my Instagram, but everything else I leave until the week, or on a Sunday. 

So if it is your birthday too, then Happy Birthday. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal  

Days when I feel super tired and just needs sleep

Hello and welcome! I am writing this post on Sunday when I feel super tired and I just need to sleep. It means listening to my body and get an early night in. 

When you actually read this it will be Monday and tomorrow I am dropping my son off at school and then come back here to then do some errands and do at least one walk today, and do more for the rest of the week.

It is good to organize some walking and staying in shape, I feel so much better for it and it makes more of an effort to do extra training indoors and I want to finish my current book I am reading so I can read my others. It is good to organize some reading as a fellow writer it inspires me and I love a good book.

Taking my son to school made his day and mine, then I hope to see him again on other days or at the weekend.

It breaks up my days when I have my little dude with me and he is at that age where he is happy to play on his own, but likes me to be sitting in the same room as I think it reassures him that I am there. 

Come Monday now I am finishing this blog post have come to realise is that breaking up my days where I give myself time to chill helps me to take time away and recuperate. I can get lost in my world of writing blogs and books, and doing videos but I have to go outdoors again and hope there is no more lockdowns and I can travel up to central London without bother and walk up there whenever I can. 

Organizing my time is important and give myself TV breaks too catch up on some TV helps and write notes to then get back to creating further content. 

I want to have a life of adventure and fun, so getting myself to rest and sleep being super tired always is the top of my list now and keeping busy and exercising makes more time and have more energy. 

When Super tired it means rest rest and rest, never overwork yourself as it can cause burnout and it important to restore my energy.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

How I now manage my life/Using A5 notebook/Other books to create ideas for my books

Hello and welcome! This is a new Organize4thebetter blog where I share a video I did about How I am currently managing my life, using an A5 notebook to plan for the next day to on the day of what needs to be done. 

I love a notepad which I am showing in this video, and bought this from Sainsbury's and it is good to use it, and keeping all notes near me as much as possible, and I do I will go through all of them to create further content. 

I hope you enjoy

Many thanks

Carrie X

Finding a Good working pattern

Having a good work balance is important but if you find your work is beginning to sink then it means that the pattern that you follow needs to be changed, it can often be that you've given yourself too much to do. We find we can't get it all done. You need to change the pattern so you can. 

I do like my work pattern as I am ticking off a lot rather than drawing a cross because I haven't. I do think my work pattern needs to be tweaked, I do think if I had a calendar in view I can use that to set challenges and deadlines, but I like working when things aren't set in stone so I work on the blogs I want to each day. I am not good with repetition, so I like to mix my work up. I do have a routine, because of the pattern of my work has helped me, but I have pattern where I will listen to a Youtube video and then bit by bit work on a blog post or work on a book I am writing. 

Often if you have so many ideas you can end up with lots of projects that are finished and then this destroys the energy to actually wanting to finish anything.Change the pattern. Spend the mornings just going over what needs to be done, and check how each project you have completed the response and STOP MULTITASKING! I was someone who did believe in this, but now when I focus on one item at a time easier, and when we do that, our attention to detail is better and you naturally start to prioritize. 

If I have any outside appointments then these may be at various times and days. So I will manage my other work either before the time of this appointment or after. If a book is due out and I see that I am getting behind I have a pattern where I can get videos and blogs scheduled and written in bulk. I can then have a pattern of then working on my books and focus on these as I have videos and blogs already set up. 

A good work pattern is not constantly working all day but where I do take more breaks than work. Yes I may still work late some days but rest and recuperation is important too and having a work pattern so you can spend time with family. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Brain Storming and how it helps me keep my work some how organised

So I am someone who gives myself too much to do. So I do have to rein myself in to stop doing so and just take a deep breath now and then, and practice a bit of mindfulness. 

Writing blogs, books, online courses and creating video content, I have to manage my workload so it still gets done but I don't get overloaded with stuff to do each day. 

The one thing I do on a regular basis in Brainstorm, because then it helps keep my content original and relevant to keep my readers entertained but help them at the same time. See picture of an example:

I don't clean my desk everyday or brainstorm everyday but do it when I feel I am needing some more inspiration and more fresh new content that is from my own experience aswell as sharing tips that have worked for me too, from other videos and blog content. 

I have one main notebook that I use when I am at my desk, and have others to take out with me of different sizes. 

I love my writing and helps me everyday and reaching out to people who are like minded and enjoy being part of online community.  

So do brainstorm. It doesn't have to be in one go, do some research to help you and doing other things can help you add things to it and then you be surprised with other ideas that come your way. 

You can even get a magnetic wipe away white board to brain storm and some use a Kanban board to brain storm with sticky notes for a project, example a blog series that I often do and other ideas you want to add to your content or projects. 

Also some use a IPad to brainstorm and Pinterest to create board of project ideas in, and even create one using Word, Publisher or Notepad onto your phone, tablet or IPad.

So keep going and do what I do watch a video or a audiobook whilst you brainstorm and helps with new fresh ideas for reaching out to you my audience

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

Organize 4 The better/The Journey of being a full time writer

If you had said that 10 years or so ago that I would be a professional fultime writer I wouldn't say "Don't be stupid" but "Really oh right when?"

I kept coming backwards and forwards writing a blogpost, and at first couldn't really get into it, but then it was as if a switch had pushed and once I was out of the starting blocks there was no going back.

This post was my very first one I wrote and I was gleaming that I found my love for organizing, yet it always ended up at the bottom of the list. Yeah I don't like organizing or cleaning. I do it because I can't stand the marks on my work desk and it comes to the point when you have to say "It has to be done, because if it doesn't then what?"

I live by reivention and I did when I began blog writing as I was used to writing books but not blogs, and it is a genre of its own but it is good one to get into and now being part of the blog world its kinda great.

So get ready for some "I don't like organizing and I don't organize consciously" yet I do have a work system. Yeah I am reading what I just wrote, it is a simple and manageable one and I had a revulation that I have found after trying so many methods, the one that works without hesitation and repetition.

I just wish Boris, oh lawful Prime Minster would do the same.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie L.M X