Do you bring your work home with you at night? Do you maybe save it for tomorrow? How do you remember what to do? Are you a list maker? Memory like an elephant?

My answer is yes to all of the above. In the good old days, I could remember everything. No need to write anything down. Well, two concussions ten days apart has changed that. Now, I have to write everything down. I used to use a paper based day planner for what I couldn’t remember. I started using this to schedule appointments back in the 90’s. Once I became proficient at using a digital calendar, that went away. My planner became a note pad and an order pad. It was big. It was my bible. It got to where it didn’t work for me any more – I would go weeks without writing a single thing in it in the winter when I’m in my office every day. In season, though, I didn’t have enough paper for a single day.

I switched to a small paper based notebook. It’s my daily journal, but I don’t use it for reflection. I use it as a great big to do list. Since I’m not in my office often, I write everything down. This “journal” is perfect for me. It has tabs in it, and I can add paper as I run out. I simply date the entry and write what I need. I highlight each task once it’s complete. I had to adapt to what I was doing because it wasn’t working. Perhaps you do too. An old school, un dated, paper based journal was exactly what I needed.

Maybe what you are using could use a refresh? Think about it. Explore ways to make you better at being you. Maybe a little thing can make a big difference.

Imagine, a pad of paper works better than something electronic in 2024… Wait, that means I need to carry a pen with me every day. 😉

Happy Professionalism. Enjoy your work/ life balance.