Marcia Francois's Blog, page 69

It’s nearly autumn

Playing with leaves while taking a photo walk with the kids on Saturday

I’m so excited because registration for the autumn session of Help! I need more time is now open.

As you can see, my life is not perfect but I do live all the things I talk about on the course.

For the next week, everyone who signs up gets a f.r.e.e. copy of the 63-page e-book, 31 days of Enough Time.

I am also gifting seats on the course to TWO people who promote the course most authentically. So have at it:

Tweet, write on F...

{15-minute organising} Stationery caddy

I love 15-minute organising projects.

They are so quick to tick off a list and so incredibly satisfying.

I’m going to let the photos do the talking since it’s all quite straightforward.

These photos were very quickly taken with my iphone as I organised.

Before… a big mess

close-up view

I emptied everything out onto the desk

…cleaned out the caddy (these are cutlery caddies from Mr Price Home – I paid R50 about 3 – 4 years ago)

sort like with like (who knew I had so many permanent markers? well, I did...

{Time management} The Instagram time suck

This is my year of enough.

I’ve said often we have enough time for all the things we really want to do and I’ll be writing periodically about ways I bring enough time to my own life.

Post 1 – email on the phone

Post 2 – why we’re all not reading enough

This is post 3 – Instagram

Before, I felt a need to see every single pretty picture of all the people I follow on Instagram.

Not quite that bad, but close.

However, Instagram is as much a rabbit hole as Facebook, blogs, etc.

I love it dearly but I’ve s...

“Pick my Brain” sessions for March – now open

I’ve had many requests from people to pick my brain.

Maybe you’re one of those thinking about it too?

I’ve decided to offer a limited number of “pick my brain” sessions every month.

We can talk on the phone or via Skype.

In the past, people have picked my brain on these kinds of issues:

– how to run a business while working full-time

– how do I write the book I know is inside of me?

– I’ve written my book. How do I get all the bits and pieces together so it gets Kindle-ised and up on Amazon, or read...

{Live intentionally} Follow your own path

I go to a Zumba class every Saturday morning.

I’m usually about 3 rows from the front off to the side so I have a fairly good vantage point of most of the class.

Sometimes if I know the routine too well (this doesn’t happen often because I forget everything the minute I leave), my mind wanders during class and I start watching the other people…

And then I forget the steps, miss a beat or stop enjoying the dance.

There’s a lady who is front and centre every week who is a a beat or two off, always,...

{Living intentionally} Something fun for the weekend

Just a courtesy reminder for the locals among you – registration closes today for the next session of Let’s Do This. Don’t let this year just float away from you – take charge and live with intention.

I hope to see you in my lounge

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You all know I love a good project so this year I decided to do two fun projects:

I’m sending out 52 pieces of “real” mail, via a post office :)… with stamps!
I’m giving away 40 things (hopefully a lot more, but...

{Time management} Why you and I are not reading more books

A few weeks ago I read something on a blog that blew my mind –

The average reader can read a book in about 4 and a half hours.

Wow!

I’m a faster than average reader but I’ve never officially had my reading speed checked, so let’s just say I read a book in about 4 hours.

Technically, I should then get through many more books than I currently do (5 – 6 a month).

I took it a step further and asked myself why?

And the answer won’t surprise you – social media, blogs, messing on Instagram. I could easily...

Easy (and cheap!) Valentine’s ideas

We do Valentine’s but we certainly don’t go overboard – a little present for the teachers and I’ll do a little something for my loves at home too.

Last year Kendra asked for pancakes for Valentine’s (apparently I make the best pancakes in the world) so of course we made some.

Kendra cut out the heart shapes and we all drizzled strawberry syrup on top. YUM!

Two years ago I made these very cute gifts for the teachers and teachers’ aides.

One packet of Strawberry Fluffs in a little jar, a free print...

{Living intentionally} Recording your memories

I think a lot of our issues with getting our memoriesrecorded, especially family ones, is steeped in perfectionism.

We want the perfect Project Life album for each kid, or we want to make beautiful baby books, scrapbooks or albums.

I can’t tell you the number of people who have said to me, “one day when the kids are at school/ in high school/ I’m retired” I’ll finally have the time to do my kids’ baby books.

Can I lovingly say that I don’t think that’s going to happen if you haven’tyet made the...

{Goal-setting} These 3 things will get you at least halfway to your goals

If you’ve been thinking that goals are insurmountable, there’s no need to do that. I’m not disputing that it takes work to make your goals a reality but there are a few things that will accelerate your goal-getting progress.

1. Write them down

If you’ve never written down your goals, then they’re only in your head and they’re dreams.

When you write down your goals, you seal your intention by putting pen to paper, or words on the computer document.

I’ve proven this in my own life and so have many...