Thriving Plan for the Year Ahead

Rough Draft

Thriving takes cultivation!
And time!
And you are so worth it.

Ever feel like you're back in a hamster wheel with work? This is very common, as we try to please all our clients, families, friends...we can get stuck in a rut, so, so easily. It turns out, that loving your job, having things in balance, earning enough ... in other words, thriving, has to be cultivated. One strategy, is to set up an annual Thriving Plan.

Here's a tool for you to try out. (You might recognize it, it's revised from an earlier tool.)

Taking even 20-30 minutes to fill this out can make all the difference!

Start with the easiest boxes on the outside. Continue to fill them in to see what your priorities are for the year. Add any vacations, trips, retreats. Lastly, create your weekly schedule(s) and monthly routines - as a way to fit in all of your priorities. 

Not sure what to write? Or trying to get it “perfect”. …Just guess! You can always change it later. There is great power in starting. And often, our gut-initial-instincts are what we really need/want.

First, I’ll share my example to give you an idea. Then, there are 4 different templates to choose from.

My Example

My biz year goes from Sep - Aug

Click on the image or the Option # to download.

Option 2

Year going from January - December
With 2 different weekly schedules - a and b

Option 1

Year going from January - December
With one type of weekly schedule

Option 4

Year going from September - August
With 2 type of weekly schedules

Option 3

Year going from September - August
With 1 type of weekly schedule

Wishing you some time in your schedule … to do this important work! I hope it feels fun and magical.

♡ Jenny

P.S. Want a little company or guidance with this? I’d love to help! I offer One-Time consults - and the goal is that they are game-changers. We can fill out your plan, talk through any roadblocks, highlight new desires, and whatever else you need to feel great about your job and life. Oh, and starting this year, you can bring a friend to the consult, and I can meet with both of you for the same price.

The Fall Refresh

A huge part of being a Great Boss, is to find ways to make your life easier and to feel good. This might look like:

  • making sure you have the right tools for your job

  • trying new little routines that bring more ease

  • cutting things out of your job description

  • infusing a little fun or joy

The Fall is a natural time to check in, and do a little Refresh. The idea here is that it’s a quick little adjustment - that moves something stale out, and something fresh in.

This can take as little as 5 minutes, more if you like. And it can make a huge difference.

Check out the worksheet below. And/or consider these questions for a moment. Then, pick 1 or both actions to commit to. Please, go with your gut!

One year, I committed to taking a lunch break every day. It felt like an underwhelming choice … but, it turned out to be very eye-opening, and a bit of a game-changer. At first, I could only manage 5-10 minutes, because of the ways I’d scheduled my days. Also, my body just wasn’t used to it! But over time, I realized how much I’d been in the habit of just pushing through the whole work day, in one big slog. And even though my stomach was fine, my brain was very taxed. I slowly expanded my lunch break, and this has made a huge difference.

For your Fall Refresh, you might check out the worksheet below. (Sorry, it’s a little faded.) Or, simply think on these questions, then choose 1 thing to add or change.

♡ How can I make my work (and life) a little easier for myself?
♡ What can I adjust to feel better, or more nourished?

For extra credit, tell people about this action - as often as you can. It’s great to be a Great Boss and to be seen doing it! (And who knows, you might inspire someone else to follow suit.)

Cheers, Jenny

How to do a Retreat / Worksheets V.2

ROUGH DRAFT

I'm a huge fan of retreats!
Especially in the summer.

Yes, it's true ... it can feel super difficult to find the time, space, and money. And yes, it's true, it can feel indulgent. And bring up weird/uncomfortable feelings. (I feel guilty. Am I allowed to do this? Why am I so tired? Why am I sad, when this is supposed to be fun?)

Also, retreats pay off - both for you, to feel better. And for your business.
Also, you are worth it. 

You are the talent, you need support.
You are the leader of your business, you need space for inspiration and setting the next direction.
You are the manager of your talent, you need strategies to stay in alignment with your vision.

We spend most of our time during the year meeting other people's needs. 
This is the time of year to tune into your needs.
And then, to adjust the business to make it a more ideal job for you AND to offer more value for your clients/customers.

I believe it's essential to both you as a person, and the success of your business!
(Also, you can write-off the cost / it's a business deduction.)

♥
Interested in setting one up for yourself?
Check out these worksheets below. They are all in BETA form.
 

Read this one first - How to Do a Personal/Professional Retreat


Then program Options:
Taking Stock
Rest / Fill the Reserves
Intuition
Inspiration
New Skill
Focused Work
Debrief/Reflect on a specific experience or chapter.

Ways to Say NO ... Including MAYBE (Probably No).

This blog post will grow!

For now, here are some great ways to say NO … including MAYBE (Probably No).

Basic No-s

No thank you, I’m going to pass on this.
Thank you for inquiring … I’m going to pass.
Hmmm… I think I need to pass on this.

Oh bummer, I’m actually phasing out that service … so I have to say no.
I’m not currently set up / prepared / ready for that type of project, so need to say no.

No thanks.
Thanks, but no thanks.
I’ve got to say no for now, but thanks for asking.
I’d rather not, but thanks for asking. 
I appreciate you asking. I need to say No at this time.

Oh shoot, that’s a hard no.
Oh sorry, that won’t work for me.
I need to RSVP no for this event.

I wish there were 2 of me, in that case I would say yes!

I need to bow out this time.
Sorry, no. Nat at this time.

I’m otherwise engaged, sorry!
Ooh, it’s not likely I can make that work. I’ll let you know if anything changes.
I’m sorry, I’m all booked up that week/month.
I’m booked up until the end of the year.
Oh shoot, I’m already committed that ___[evening/week/etc.]____.
I’d love to, but my plate is totally full right now!
I’m honored that you asked! Currently, I’m at capacity, so have to say no. If I had a clone, I would totally do it.

What you need is beyond my wheelhouse / my scope / my expertise…sorry, I need to say no.
Sounds tempting, but I need to pass.
If you asked me __ month/years ago … I would have said yes! But now, I’m doing something different, and have to say no.
Thank you for asking. I’m not able to take this project on right now.

I wish I could make this work right now, but need to pass.
Oh man, it’s just not possible for me to take that on right now.

 

Helpful No-s

My business has changed, and I no longer offer that service. Here’s a referral … or All the best with your search.

What you need is beyond my wheelhouse / my scope / my expertise…and I want you to get what you need and deserve. So, I need to say no.

Sorry no, I can’t do that. But here’s what I can do….

 Ask Me Later

Oh wow, that’s a cool opportunity. At this time, I need to say no / pass. Please ask me again in the future!

Maybe someday I can say yes. For now, I need to say no.
I need to say no for now, maybe another time?

I’m at capacity, and currently not booking any future work. Feel free to check back with me in __ months.

I need to bow out this round.
Thank you for thinking of me, I need to pass this round.

Oh bummer, I’m just not able to fit that in currently. Feel free to check back with me later.
Can I take a rain check?

 

Maybe (Probably No)

Hmm. Let me think on that, and I’ll get back to you.

I’ll check my calendar later – when I get home / during my office hour – and will get back to you by _____.

If you don’t hear back by this date, then I’m a no.

Hmm, I’m guessing that I’m booked already. So I’ll say no for now, and if something changes, I’ll let you know!

♥

Weekly Staff Support / Check-in Meeting (For being happier at work)

Here’s my latest tool and practice for being happier at work: Weekly Staff Support Check-in Meetings.

In a nutshell
The idea is to look at the week ahead, and to ask myself, What support do I need to get everything done, and feel great?

Context and Guiding Ideas
It’s easy to move through the days and weeks, working constantly, to complete all of the things on our to-do list. Showing up for clients, finishing projects, handle business chores, etc. We are often driven by due dates. And many of us do whatever it takes to fulfill those commitments. We use the tools of: fit-stuff-in, dig-deep, work-until-it’s-done.

That’s cool, and gets results. …though, after a while, it can be very wearing on the mind, body, and spirit.

Here’s what we forget - how to give ourselves support to get through these big lists of work. Support can range from: getting tools we need, creating more time and space, gatekeeping small things out, taking things off the calendar, fuel or nourishment, ideal working conditions, encouragement, company … the list goes on. It’s whatever you need to get things done (and not be depleted).

Enter the Weekly Staff Support Check-in Meeting

You invite your two selves, the Boss You and the Talent You, hence the “meeting” part.

Talent You can write out all of the things on your plate. And then shares (with the Boss You): here’s how I’m feeling, here’s what I need, here’s what I wish. Then, the Boss You can make some decisions and provide support. After all Boss You wants to keep the Talent in the business!

Here’s how to use it

1 - Write some notes in the calendar section. Perhaps put in critical meetings, periods for working, breaks.

2 - Fill in the 2nd row - looking at tasks on your mind or list. Perhaps assign some to the calendar above.

3 - Make some observations. What do you notice - thoughts, feelings?

4 - Drill down - What’s a theme? What energy is needed? What support do I need? Perhaps add - how you want to feel at the end of the week?

5 - With all of that in mind, define some specific staff support. And then, make plans to give it to yourself.

The Quickie Version

At the beginning of your work week ……. let your eyes glaze over your calendar and to-do list.
Then, ask, “What’s one thing I can do or give myself to move through the week, get things done, and feel great?”

Channel the idea that you want to be the best boss in the world.

Give it a whirl, and let me know what you think!

: ) Jenny Girl Friday

43 Ways to Work On Your Business - When you have Unexpected Free Time

ROUGH DRAFT - inspired by the Coronavirus.

Have some unexpected Free Time? Want to get something done on your business, but not sure what to do? No problem! Read on to see a Master List of ways to work on your business, plus some strategies below.

Why do I need a list you ask? Because…once you sit down to ponder the free time, and what to do, it’s easy to draw a blank or get distracted. Next challenge, once you do start thinking, it can be overwhelming. “I need to update my website, order business cards, work on bookkeeping…which one do I do?”. This brings up one of our biggest enemies, Decision Fatigue,…we don’t know which to choose, so we go back to Facebook, email, or wondering around aimlessly. All of those are fine, except when we’re trying to make progress on something.

Free time is your opportunity to work on things that are Important but not critical. These important tasks are the keys to making your future life easier.

Below is a big list. First, here are my suggestions for working with it.

Jar

Print out the PDF version of the list. Cut out the options. Throw away the ones you don’t like. Put the ones you like in a jar. When you have free time, pull out a slip of paper. If it sounds helpful, doable in the moment, get to work. Don’t like it? Pull out another. Keep repeating until you do.

Top Ten List

Pick ten of these tasks. Put on a list. Each time you have some unexpected time, look at the list. Pick the easiest one.

Two-DO List

Look at the list. Pick two tasks. Write somewhere visible. On post-its on computer, on calendar, on your fridge. Whenever you’ve got time, work on one of them. When you have time again, work on the other. Repeat.

Roll some Dice

Use an online dice roller. Or, find 3 - 5 dice. Roll one die to determine how may dice to roll. Now, roll the dice, pick the item on the list with that number. Do that task. Don’t like it? Go again. Still don’t like it? Look over the list and pick one.

Current Master List - A work in progress.

1 - Review your website. 
Just read everything first. Go back through, make a few changes as you go. If needed, make a list of future updates and changes.

2 - Update pictures.
Upload new ones, or make appointment in the future with photographer.

3 - Get a head start on taxes.
If you’re not sure what to do, read this post: How to Prep for IRS Taxes

4 - Do some business analysis. 
Look at each quarter / year. Figure out profits for each, types of clients and work offered. Make some predictions for the future. Record any changes to make.

5 - Mini Retreat – Big Picture View
For options, read this post: How to do a Mini Retreat - Business or Personal

6 - Time planning – weekly schedule, monthly, year.
Print out worksheets or make your own. (Click for Weekly Flow, Year -at-a-Glance.) Start with a clean slate. Add in required activities. Look for things to cut. Add in top priority activities.

7 - Update LinkedIn profile.

8 - Review all digital presence.
Make adjustments if needed.

9 - Get ahead on newsletter, Insta posting, other social media.

10 - Digital clutter clear out. 
Look through computer files. Delete old items. Adjust folders as you go. Archive old files.

11 - Paper work and files.
Go through paperwork. Look through everything to pull out old documents to recycle/shred. 

12 - Bookshelves.
Pull all the books down, dust. Look through them. Give away old books. Perhaps stack in a new way.

13 - Bulletin board / vision board.
Make a new one, or re-do current ones and start a new one.

14 - Visual Reminders
Make posters for the office or fridge – with whatever you need to be reminded of – routines, goals, plans, schedule.

15 - Self-care plan review.
What are you currently doing for self-care? What do you wish to add? Anything to cut? What’s your budget? Make adjustments and add activities into your schedule.

16 - 3 Ideal Clients
Check out this post - Three Ideal Clients - Book Excerpt

17 - Review policies.
Adjust or add. 

18 - Update Terms / Contract. 

19 - Look at prices and adjust. 
Perhaps add new fees, e.g. travel, late fee, reschedule, rush work.

20 - Development new offering or class.

21 - Brainstorm new marketing materials.

22 - Create Pinterest board.
For inspiration/ communication with designer, or to draw from yourself.

23 - Research people to hire / network with.

24 - Organize photos and imagery for marketing.
Update labels, perhaps put in one folder.

25 - Collect a copy of all your materials and put in one place.
For example, all ads or brochures, business cards – put in a notebook. Or all of your handouts, print and put in a folder / notebook.

26 - Take inventory of supplies.
Reorganize supplies. Label.

27 - Make a bingo card of goals. - See below.
Pick 5 categories. Write in the spaces under the BINGO. Under each, fill in tasks or accomplishments. Give yourself rewards when you get a line or blackout. I used this for marketing my book after it was written. It’s still on my fridge!

28 - Get all tax + legal info in one place.
Online and in print form.

29 - Research swag you might want to make.

30 - Research boutiques, galleries.

31 - Research events in the area for small business / community / your field.
Make a calendar of when they happen.

32 - Research events you might want to sponsor.

33 - Research charities / causes to give money or time to.

34 - Reach out to old friends and contacts just to say hi.
Only if this feels legit and you want to, with no direct business agenda.

35 - Follow up with people you’ve talked about collaborating with.

36 - Create a class or workshop to offer for profit, or as a volunteer.

37 - Do a numbers review, by month.
Check out these worksheets: Service Providers, No Sales Tax; Services Providers, with Sales Tax; Product Makers (Retail/Combo).

38 - Make a list of Household Bills
This can be useful when making your own Salary goals. Click here for a worksheet.

39 - Give yourself a Reward.
Because you deserve it. Click to see a menu.

40 - Find some books to read, related to your work.
Consider going to the bookstore to be able to browse in person.

41 - Research a vacation or work trip.
Put it on your calendar.

42 - Do some math to give yourself a raise!
Update on website and materials.

43 - Send an email or thank you card to a role model or someone who inspired you.

Okay, that’s the big list. You don’t need to do all these things! It’s just a menu. Use one of the strategies above to make your own plan. Either the Jar, Top Ten, Two-DO list, or Roll the Dice.

♥

Please, let us know how it goes! Share any stories or suggestions in the comments below.

Cheers,

Jenny

Click on the image to get a downloadable pdf.

Here’s the Bingo Card I made after publishing my book. It helped me stay on track and celebrate successes!

gFBingoCardBOOK.png

How to Take a Mini Retreat - Personal or for Business

This is a sketch of a post to come. It is not complete.

Most days, in order to do our best work, we’re focused on serving the client, handling tasks, details, following-through. In other words, we’re in worker-mode. That’s great and perfect for the day in and day out.

It’s also necessary to lift our heads up, and check the map, look at the big picture. Be in boss mode.

One way this duality has been described is being in Mouse-mode (on the ground) vs. Eagle mode (up in the sky with far vision). Most of us know how to do the Mouse Mode, and are very good at it. Eagle mode, is sometimes harder to do. It’s sure easy to forget! It’s essential for staying happy at work and as a human. Why? It’s where we get to lift our heads up, pull back, step away from the work and check in with ourselves. Are we happy? Are we bothered? Why or why not? From this place, we can make decisions, adjustments, and then go back into Worker mode.

Setting up your Retreat

[Section is ROUGH]

Here are some principles to keep in mind when choosing a location.

Important for your body to be comfortable - choose a place where you feel good, where it feels easy to be comfortable. Like the warmth? Go to a warm place, or someplace where you can turn up the heat, maybe get in a hot tub. Like to be snuggled up in sweaters or blankets, then choose a cooler spot.

Think about the senses too - what do you want to see? Hear? Taste? Touch? What helps you to relax and feel free … want to be by the ocean? In the deep forest? By a river? What foods + drinks will feel lovely? Bring your favorite music, or find a place to be silent.

Help your mind disengage - put on auto-reply, or perhaps turn off your phone / computer and hide away. Make as many decisions ahead of time as you can - about meals, the schedule, the plan.

Give your mind time to wander or play -

Alone or with others? - Do you want to be alone, to go into a cave, to follow your own rhythms? Or, would it help to have others around, to compare notes with? Or to relax with in the evening, as a break from thinking?

Options:
Go on a trip - stay in hotel/airbnb
Go to a retreat center
Kick everyone out of your home, get it set up as a retreat space

• 

Retreat Format

For now, here are some different formats / question prompts. This is a menu to choose from, not a list of things to do. You can use these for business and/or life. I tend to do both at once. These prompts can be used within 1-2 hours, or 1 day, or even a week.

1

What’s working / not working?

Make a list under each of these questions.
Now, look at what you can change or adjust to fix what’s not working. Make a list. Pick 1 - 5 changes to make. Adjust your schedule, policies, as needed.

2

Past / Present / Future

Think about the past season. Write or draw all the things you’ve been doing - events, projects, clients served, business chores. Your schedule. Everything. How did you feel? What are you proud of? What was difficult. Look for a word or two to describe this chapter of life.

Present moment. Try to tune into where you are today. Right now. Scan your body. What’s going on with it? How are your emotions? What do long for? Desire? Where does your mind want to go? How do you describe yourself today?

Future. What do you wish for the next season? What is required to happen? What do you want to add? What do you want to take away? What are your top priorities? How would you like to picture yourself __ months from now? What do you need to make this happen?

3

Relax / Play / Inspiration

Whatever time you have set aside for this retreat, we’ll want to split into specific ratios.

Relax - the first 50% of the time set aside. When I mean relax, I really mean it … escape, indulge, guilty pleasures. Whatever sounds luxurious. Like so lovely, you wouldn’t even want to tell anybody.

Play - the next 25 - 30%. Go do something with your body, where you get to play. Ideally in nature. And, by that, I mean you get to experiment, try, imagine, without consequence. This might be walking, collecting rocks, and making in a line. It could be building a sandcastle. Collecting materials to make a mandala. Adult coloring books. Making sugar cookies to decorate. Go swimming. Build with legos. If work ideas come up, great. If not, great. Just let the ideas float around.

Inspiration - the last 20 - 25%. Now, check in with yourself. How are you feeling? If you can, journal freely for the remaining time. Here are prompts if you need them. Do you have any new ideas? A desire? A strategy? What do you want more of? What do you want to be rid of?

Usually, at least one potent idea will rise to the surface for you to act on.

•

At the end of your retreat - decide on 1 - 5 changes to make in your business or life. It could be a new schedule, a new policy, fill out a Stop Doing list, new project, refining your clients, or even just a new way of thinking. Or, just the general feeling of being caught up with yourself.

Happy Retreating!

What's Your Tax Prep Style?

Dear Readers, this is an evolving blog post. I’d love to get your feedback on which terms / descriptions work or don’t work for you!

Work with your nature. 

This is one of my favorite guiding principles. And it's more important than ever when it comes to chores or anything that feels tedious, new, overwhelming. 

What style fits you? ....when it comes to working on IRS tax prep?
(Nicknames are works in progress.)

♥  The truth?: I ignore it until the last minute, then scramble and get it all done. (Phoenix)
♥  I like to start as early as possible. In fact, I already have! I work steadily until the job is done finished. (Early bird)
♥  I do best breaking up a task. I prefer to work over several sessions. (Marathoner)
♥  I like to do the job all at once, on a planned day. (Personal work party)
♥  None of these fit exactly/I'm a mixture. (4 Leaf Clover)

The idea: choose your style. Name it. Claim it. Plan for it. Be at peace with it. Below are a few ideas for each style.

P.S. If you're new to this, I suggest reading the Marathoner description as well as your style.

♥

Phoenix 

Do your thing! No reason to fix something that works. When the time comes, find this email and these tools to offer some help: All-at-once Prep + CalculateBasic. If needed, here's an article if you get stuck somewhere. Perhaps, mark off a day or two around 4/12, 4/13, 4/14 to do the work. Lastly, if you can, clear your calendar on 4/15 or 4/16 to take a break, go to the spa or drive out of town to reward yourself and recover. (I'm keeping this short, because your mind is busy with other things right now. You'll get to this later.)

♥

Early Bird 

This message to you might be too late because you're probably finished. In case I caught you in time, here's an article that outlines the whole process. And a worksheet to capture all your numbers: CalculateBasic. You'd probably like to fill out this second sheet as well: Calculate Next Level. Before you get too far, please be sure to choose a reward for yourself. Set aside some money for it and plan whatever time it takes. Yes, you start early because it's your nature, there's an urge to. That's cool. Still, let's reinforce and reward that nature! We want to keep you happy in your job. If you feel a bit guilty, then it's probably the right amount.
Oh, and here's an article on filing options. As you know, it feels so good to get the appointment for the actual filing on the calendar, whether it's meeting your accountant, filing yourself online, etc. Heads up, there are a few changes this year! A new 1040 and a few new rules. I'll be sharing about that soon. I'm just mentioning it so you plan in a little extra time. If you'd like to dive into research now, here are the 1040 Instructions, start on page 6. 

♥

Marathoner 

Slow and steady wins the race! And, "Life ain't a track meet, it's a marathon." Ice Cube. You know that working slowly over time means less impact on your life, the pain can be spread out. If you've done this before, you've probably got a system already. If you're new / as a reminder to experienced folks: plan several work periods over the next 4 - 6 weeks. Prep time really ranges from 2 hours to 12 or more. Just take your best guess and plan in the time. You can pick a regular day + time, like "Fridays from 1 - 3pm", or choose a time block like "1 hour" to fit into your weekly schedule.  
One option is for you to follow along with the Sidekick Service Tax Prep series coming out soon. I've broken the process into 6-7 steps, and will send an email about each one...so you can follow along with me. If you'd like to space it out yourself, take a look at this article, with worksheets for each step. Or, look at this All-at-Once Prep Sheet to plan your own sessions. I also suggest choose a little treat for each work session and a big Reward for when you're all finished. 

♥

Work-Party Girl

You like to get in the zone; to give this task your whole attention, all at once. Like gearing up for party or 5K, you want to collect all your tools and resources, create the space, and get it done, and done well, and then shut the door and be finished. Tips for you (if you're new/need reminders): schedule three days on your calendar: 1- Personal Tax Work Party, 2- Time OFF to recover/reward yourself, 3 - Follow-up Tasks.
Create a space in your house to collect all of the things you'll need. Tax documents coming in the mail, bank statements, receipts, etc. Perhaps print out this sheet Collect Stuff. You can use it to slowly collect items prior to your Party day, or, do it first thing that morning. Consider getting a friend to hang out with you. Oh, and if you're the cook in your house, arrange for someone else to handle meals or to go out for dinner. Be sure to have a breakfast and lunch you love, plus snacks on hand. On that day, I suggest printing out these two sheets:  All-at-once Prep + CalculateBasic. Here's an article if you run into questions.

♥

Four Leaf Clover 

Perhaps none of these fit, you're a combination, or you're new to this and just don't know. Or, maybe you're a rebel and as soon as someone tries to type you, you don't like it! That's cool. I get that we're a spectrum and not everyone fits into boxes. A few ideas. First, find a way to name your own style. Think about what's true, even if you're different/changing all the time. The reason? It's empowering to claim what we do naturally and then we've got a strategy to stick to.  
Next translate your style into some logistics. Do you want to plan ahead, wait until inspired, ignore? Three Options for you. 1) read through the tips for the other styles, and whatever sounds good/calming/easy, then do that. 2) Plan to follow along with the Sidekick Service emails over the next 6 weeks. If it sounds good, do the work suggested for each. Then, if you want to jump off at any point, please do! 3) Look at this All-at-Once Prep sheet. Or skim this article. Then ask yourself this, Now that I see all the work involved, how do I want to tackle it?


Once you discover your name + system, I'd sure love to hear about it. Please email me at jennygirlfriday@gmail.com

I'm excited to hear what you think of these Styles + Tips! 

• Rewards Are Important + Rewards Menu

It is SO important to give ourselves rewards...and on a regular basis.  For chores, celebrations, or just because. (They are essential for tax season.) 

Who would run a 5K if we didn't get some swag at the end? Who would keep playing video games without achievements and level-ups?  They keep us motivated, feeling satisfied, and happy.  They are an important part of self-management.

Strangely, one of the biggest reasons we forget to reward ourselves is that we're often too tired after a big push to decide!  The solution?  Decide ahead of time what kind of rewards you like to get. It's good habit to assign specific rewards to specific tasks, and, to have a general list, for when you need one on-the-go.

Make up your own, or print the one below.  Fill it out, and hang up somewhere visible.

Click on the image to get a downloadable PDF.  You can also find this menu along with other helpful tools on the Tools For Download page.

: )  Jenny Girl Friday

P.S.  Did this help you?  Please share freely with friends. I think self-employed folks are keeping the soul in Seattle.  I want to make the chores of business easier, so you all can keep being awesome.  

P.S. 2 Are you signed up for Sidekick Services via email?  Get reminders and links to how-tos delivered right to your email inbox.  :)