For the past month or so I've been practicing a productivity technique called pomodoros. I came across The Pomodoro Technique through a video, which featured this beautiful, classy, thoughtfully created planner and I was hooked. The planner was going to cost me less than $30, with shipping, to get my hands on it, so I directly went to order it on the site. Incredible marketing does that to a list-freak and organization-loving person like me. Sigh. Anyway, so I'm on www.productivityplanner.com ordering this thing when a message pops up to inform me it's on back-order. What? At first I was so disappointed and cranky about it. . .but what a small thing to let ruin your morning! To this very day, what I really want, after all, is a decent trick to help me get more done in life. The way I want to accomplish that is by paper, pen and planner. However, no planner can force you into productivity! So, after some consideration I made a list (of course!) of what I'd need to turn this disappointment around, and it looked like this:
With a fairly minimal amount of effort I recreated a layout that mimicked the brilliant Productivity Planner I was going to order. The only annoying part about the whole endeavor was getting it to print the way I wanted, you know, like a book. Once that was sorted the rest was a total breeze. It's really neat! It's really productive. If you're curious about pomodoros this is where I discovered them (pomodoro talk starts at minute 1:00), and this is the official, go all out, Pomodoro Technique. To keep assembly simple you could punch in holes for a binder or tie with string. Heck! Trevor suggested I staple it. What a nut! To bind, I folded the pages in half, I tapped 5 holes into the crease with a regular old nail and hammer and then used this tutorial for a five hole pamphlet stitch. Trust me it's EASY. I used what I had on hand, which was some embroidery floss and a needle. I also made a pretty cover. I used the "lazy man's" watercolor, better known as wet/dry colored pencils, on some heavier weight paper. This is how it turned out! Not sure what the cover design is all about...sometimes I just wing it. I might make some changes on the next one. . .
The important takeaway is that I turned a frown upside down, you guys! There are several key factors in making the choice to be positive and a bit creative. It's a lot easier said than done, for me at least, however I've been spending time on that area of my life lately. Next time I'll elaborate with the story of James Cash Penney for reference. Until then!
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Oh my, there's another video tutorial up you guys! I'm so excited about this one because it's featuring Trevor, and do you know how difficult it is to get Mr. Doctor Farmer Trevor J. Clark to speak on film? It's downright. Pulling. Teeth. And that guy is no dentist, let me remind you, he's a chiropractor. However, you're going to get a kick out of this video tutorial because Trevor is showing us how to take your vegetable starts from zero to 100 in no time flat. It's also a cute farm tour video. This photo is of me congratulating him on his effort. What I especially like about his method is that he starts from a spot in the yard! A plot with plenty of hearty (unwanted) grasses and weeds that he preps for planting in just seven steps. So a total novice will really benefit from this tutorial. Already have a fluffy garden plot ready to go? Ok, don't skip the video just yet. The seven steps include the addition of all the soil amendments we personally use on the Clark Homestead & Produce farm. Many of us have soil that's heavy on the clay content and we've got the perfect solution to address that kind of dirt. With just a few additions you can ensure growth with an abundant harvest. Yes, watering and a little TLC will go a long way, but we can guarantee your harvest will increase with these little tricks. So without further ado. . . Have you ever had a cold, and then the flu, and then another cold and well-meaning people kept telling you things like, "you need to rest," or " you better clean up that diet- cut back on the chips and guac, maybe the chocolate." Well, yeah, people don't say those things to me. Not very often, at least. Everyone who's around me on a regular basis knows that I have just about the cleanest eating habits of all time- it's like I'm a cage-free, pasture-raised wild animal myself, and most health recommendations never get under my skin because, in most cases, I agree the advice is GOOD ADVICE. But it seems there are many people out there who do everything they can for their health, by practicing all the GOOD ADVICE, to no avail. Even after doing all they can, whether their health journey started before, during or after a health crisis, there are still no immediate signs of improvement. I have been there wondering, too. Bread baking is a necessity for the modern times, my friends, whether you eat bread or not. Not only good for your pocket book, but also for your mind and spirit. Not to mention your adoring fans (who will love you especially well for your new skills). I think that learning "bread making" promotes anxiety because you have to read through lengthy descriptions on how to master the following intricacies. All you'd like is a nice boule or baguette on the table, yes? 1.) the rise 2.) when to start kneading 3.) when to stop kneading 4.) the next rise (and the next) 5.) when to bake But to bake with me you only have to remember one thing...See and touch your dough. Quick and easy can, in fact, be a reality of bread making but, more importantly, simple and clear instructions are tantamount. So c'mon, let's make bread together. It's fun and it's soothes my soul. Starting in mid-May I'll have that first tutorial on kneading dough. It'll be in video format, so it's like working in the kitchen together! A live class is so much easier than reading instructions. Plus I'll show you my dough so you know what your dough should look like like. How 'bout that? 1st episode in my course on bread making coming soon to the blog. As always, I'd love for you to ask questions and comment. AND! If you like this...share it with someone who would like it just as much as you did! Yes, I wanted freedom. To be free from the corporate world, financial burdens, standard 30 year old woman expectations, city life and single lady life. It seemed as though every tangible, living and breathing achievement was literally represented within my beautiful 1920's brick walk-up apartment. I didn't fully recognize that so much joyfulness was about to be realized or that I had other dreams to nourish. Still, I experienced a halting resistance to change. At some point T. and I were presented with the opportunity to begin living a somewhat unique lifestyle, and I got cold feet. In my conversations with him I fantastically likened our potential living situation to being homeless. As insensitive and pathetic as that sounds, as I spoke those words over and over, it became clear to me that my home in the 1920's walk-up, with carefully curated objects, was a piece of my identity I was unwilling to walk away from. But I did walk eventually. Moving into what I affectionately refer to as "the abandoned cottage" was the smartest choice, really, however it did feel like a little death in the early stages; la petite mort. In reality, it was a death and renewal of some sort. At the time of the move, and in the several months prior, I had been living in emotionally troubled times. If you are familiar with the amorous French phrase, "la petite mort," you will understand my attempt at analogy. These so called "troubles" were really not at all too dramatic or even unusual, yet any woman (or man) who's felt any heartache over lack of direction, and even over love, will be sure to relate. Stay tuned for the continuation of this "pain-filled" love story in the near future. The abandoned cottage has been quite the adventure and also quite a blessing. |
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