I almost fell off my chair when my dear blogging friend, Barbie (My Freshly Brewed Life) mentioned something about the 31 Days hosted by The Nester. I mean, WHAT? Where did the year go?
I have participated in the 31 Day Challenge of writing on one topic for 31 days for the past two years. It has been a blessing, a challenge, and at times, a lot of fun! I have written 31 Days of Faith Life Preservers and 31 Days of Fitting in Fitness at my old Blog Home: Beneath The Surface: Breath of Faith.
This year, I am feeling strongly about applying my coaching energy towards, 31 Days of…
Door Number 1 : Fitness (again)
Door Number 2 : Journaling (We could revisit the 21 Days of Journaling in June and I could add some journaling tips and fun posts)
Door Number 3 : Tips for Using a Planner
Door Number 4: Books I Love
Door Number 5: Creative Inspiration
Door Number 6: Developing a Regular Quiet Time
Drum Roll please…Door Number 3 : 31 Days of Planning Tips will be the focus for October. Plan on being HERE will you?
I have brainstormed titles and topics, begun writing some content and I will be giving you my best strategies for planning the days well.
Meantime, some questions for you:
Do you use a Planner ?
If not why, and if so, what are the biggest challenges, obstacles you face in your day-to-day usage?
If you do use a planner now, do you believe you are using it successfully, and if not, why not?
What kind of tips would be most helpful for you to see here in October?
AND last but not least…which Door Number were you hoping for when you read the list?
Will you be joining in The Nester’s 31 Days yourself and if so, what will you be writing about for October? If you scroll down to the bottom of this post, she mentions this year and links some of the past challenges and tips.
Linking with Create with Joy for Inspire Me Monday!
Enthusiastically, Dawn 
Ha! Well, you are farther along than I am. I haven’t picked my topic yet. Praying the Lord allows me to walk through the door, given all the things I am carrying. I am thinking about “31 Days of Capturing Beauty” and trying to take a photo a day. Hmmmm…..not sure how that will go. I love your topic. I do believe I’ll learn something.
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It’s all your fault! lol. I should do Read a Chapter a Day in October for 31 Days! lol. STill reading HFIHP BUT just not reading a lot beyond Bible right now…just been busy with busy bee stuff. At night toooo tired to read. ANyhoo…thanks for the reminder!
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Drum roll back at you, Dawn, because as soon as I read your list, I was thinking: Oh! I hope she chooses the planner! And voila! You did! Can’t wait. I traditionally used a Dayrunner, but it had not color or pizzazz. I didn’t realize how much I love color (and a colorful life). And I made my planner a “notebook” (ala Anne Ortlund’s Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman). But I”m realizing I would like more visuals in my planners. I began using a secular planner that would allow me to draw or collage and I LOVED the creamy paper. But there was no real room to write appointments or to insert anything b/c it was spiral-bound. Also it had some really New Agey features which I chose to ignore, but I didn’t like that about it at all. So I thought I should create my own…..but don’t have the $ it would take to print it. So currently I use a Planner Pad. I do like some of its features, but it’s pretty boring (IS BORING!) from an artistic standpoint. So I’m all eyes, Dawn. Really looking forward to what you share, and I love your informative and fun tutorials. Do include some, ‘k?
thank you again for the amazing opp to share with your readers over the weekend. They are just such neat women (and Floyd, my token male friend! 🙂 )Thank you again for everything!
Lynn
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Well ain’t that poifect! I was worried my friends here would be disappointed as they might favor journaling BUT if your response isn’t the best confirmation ever! I really am enjoying my planners with new zeal and need to direct my energy toward coaching somewhere, so there we have it! You will be happy to know I am including a Daily planner prayer …or something to that effect, affirming our most awesome Master Planner and the only one who plans perfectly, after all! Thanks for popping by today! And wowsa the blessing factor here was high all weekend with your presence. Thank you, Lynn!
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Oh, yes, we need to beseech our divine Planner, and remember that He guides…..and that He ultimately orchestrates our steps. But we do our part. I”m glad this was a confirmation, and Im looking so forward to your prayers and tips!
And so glad the weekend went well. If even one person begins journaling her prayers, Dawn, I think we will have accomplished God’s bidding.
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I am looking forward to your 31 days of planning tips. I sure could use that many and more. I was looking forward to the planner tips, but if that one wasn’t chosen, my other choices were (sorry, I couldn’t just pick one) 4, 5, and 2.
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Wendy, you are sweet to come by my bloggy place! Thank you. I hope you gain something that is useful from the journey! I always think , if I can gain one useful, applicable- to -my life action then it is good. Feel free to chime in as we go. Hoping to inspire and encourage through the series. 😉
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I’m so excited it’s almost time for 31 Days again! I haven’t seen it posted anywhere yet so I’m glad to see you mention it, Dawn. I made a note to myself at the end of 2013 to start earlier this year for it. ha. But did I? Well, I have been thinking about it and gathering a few ideas, so I’ll call that success. I’ll be doing 31 Quotes of Grace.
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Lisa, I’ll look forward to reading your posts ! I love quotes and who doesn’t love grace?
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Hi Lovely Lady; You know me; planner extraordinaire (ahem, addict)… My best tip is to LOOK AT IT!!! LOL Sounds so simple right? However, a planner is a useless waste of time if you record in it and forget to check it. You may laugh, but I’ve been there!
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HA! That is actually so relate-able. There are those days that take us off guard , right? Especially those of us who say perhaps, have a slew of kiddow, homeschool, cook from scratch, balance a bunch of rolls and make our own planners, and multiple ones at that…, hmmm? Sam you are still awesome even if you don’t open the planner. Plus , there is GRACE for those moments and days. 😉
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Dawn- I am excited for your series…I usually abandon my planner halfway through the year…like Lynni…I’m looking for something with space to add color and artsy elements…I did follow the Documented Life project with arttothefifth ladies, but have lost interest or followed a rabbit trail…I can’t wait to see and try your ideas!
I am flabbergasted that it is almost October…I have been way sidetracked from blogging lately…maybe 31 days is just the kickstart I need…I will have to check with our Master Planner to see what He has in mind 🙂
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Hi Kel, Hmmm, I think it is hard for we who like to color outside the lines, off the paper and all over the place! Yet don’t we deire structure, boundaries and balance in our planning our days? YES! I have found the planner can have the potential to help us hone our talents, gifts and time to live lives apart from the rabbit holes. lol
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oops I didn’t mean that Lynni abandons her planner, I meant she and I are on the same quest for the perfect planner…lol
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I think that’s all of us…which I think is a great revealing of our desire for something intangible. It goes back to God…I think we all seek that one place where all of our days our recorder, remembered and celebrated. I think that is the elusive “Ring” the precious Planner Ring. lol …not to be found here. 😉
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I just put up my linky on the practice page for 31 Days of Planner Fun and started scanning the page hoping to find more planner participants! I’m glad I found your blog and I am glad you chose to write on planners! 🙂
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I will be sure and visit you, Becky! Yay! Look forward to your fun!
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I will be reading you, Becky!
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