It's Time to Get. Serious

At any given time, I have so many plates spinning that I forget to complete things. I start new things forgetting about the new things I've already started. Then I have commitments that I've made to others. I've got my Lavender Letters Book Series, a holiday book that's supposed to be released this year, and 431 other "little" projects swirling around in my head.

This feels so weird having to admit this to you, because I LOVE organization.  This, perhaps is my achilles heel.  Every time a new "system" comes into my periphery, I feel I need to try it.  I re-organize my office at least three times a year... sometimes more.
There MUST be a way to get all the things I need to get done completed in a reasonable manner.   There MUST be!  A ba-zillion people do it every day!  What am I missing?  We all have the same amount of hours in a day, right? 

I love planners and charts and calendars and I fill them out faithfully and within a month or two, I've completely forgotten about them.  Off and running in any direction that needs the fire put out next.  I'm not planning at all... I'm reacting.
And, on paper, all the things I'm doing don't seem so difficult! (Another one of my loves is planning out the project... breaking it down to bits and pieces, timelines, income streams, suppliers... little mini business plans for all. the. things.) 

And the way I think I'm going to fix it... 

I'm creating a planner of my own.  (What's one more project, right?).

I have already created the Writer's Lounge Planner which I made specifically for writers and authors to help plot out their story, have a place to put new ideas and even make some headway in the marketing department.  And I love it.  I still love it.  (It's so happy and beachy... ) 
However... it doesn't encompass all of my businesses.  Is it too much to ask to have all of my prompts in one place?? 

I'll be learning from the masters.  Part entrepreneur, part creative, part ADHD, part bipolar depressive.  I CAN'T be the only one struggling like this.  I'll be using a combination of planners I've attempted to use in the past.  Take what works, leave the rest and add a few things more specific to a multifaceted entrepreneur like myself. 
The trick is to actually USE it and stop thinking I can just wing it.  (I can't just wing it.) So many projects have fallen by the wayside, because I simply forgot about them!  Do you know how many people I set out to help when I create courses or workbooks, or programs that never reach their intended audience?? Too many!  I have so many things that are half way to almost completely finished that I've just... walked away from.  
To be fair, some things are still in the holding pattern because of imposter-syndrome... (Who am I to think this will be of value to anyone?  Why would anyone want to work with me?  I'm just a this, that or the other... I am often very mean to myself...)
But God keeps whispering at me to create, create, create... and then ... to share... to keep loving on others.  He tells me to trust Him all the time and I just pull back in fear waiting for Him to realize He meant this task for someone else. 

But here I am... ready to try again.

I'll use this blog to keep you posted of my success or setbacks.  And if it works, I'll actually create it and share it with others who may need just this kind of thing.
I'm drawing it out in a notebook as of right now, and my first piece of business is to actually USE IT.  Every day.  They say you create a habit in 30 days, right?  So this planner I'm creating must be used every day, minimum of morning and night.   
I'll be using Michael Hyatt's premise of 90 day goals (which also line up with annual quarters!) to get the maximum amount of goals completed.
I have a lot to do.  I have a legacy to leave behind, even if it's only for my children.  I no longer want God's whispers to fall of deaf ears... no that's not it... I hear Him, I just don't obey.  I want Him to say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'
Which means, I need to get busy.  I need to be confident to step into my purpose.  
I have had a lot of setbacks, painful, debilitating setbacks... I've sat in that dark depression for long enough.  It's time to get up and be useful. 
I hope I have good news to report soon... at the very least, in 90 days!

It's been a long while since I've been able to spend the summer in my hometown of St. Louis, MO.  While the call of travel and adventure still tug at me, circumstances beyond my control have kept me still. 
Not to worry- I have not been idle!

St. Louis has some of the best activities to keep even my ever wandering heart content. (mostly) 

The Missouri Botanical Gardens
One of my favorite places to visit.  I could spend hours and hours there.  It is so peaceful and beautiful.  Eighty acres of landscaped gardens and water and rolling hills.  They even have a garden center so you could bring some of the magic back home.  
I don't really need additional entertainment, so it's a bonus that they offer FREE live concerts on Wednesday evenings. You're invited to come in, bring your food and beverage of choice (or they have options available for you as well!), sit back and listen to the live band that changes each week.  What a great way to get through the work week! 

The Muny
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The largest outdoor theatre can only be found right here in St. Louis, tucked inside of Forest Park!
I have been visiting this establishment since I was a child.  My mom took us every summer and I have since passed it on to my children!  And hopefully they will continue the tradition with their children!


One of the best parts about the Muny, is that for every show (EVERY SHOW) the last few rows are always free.  (ALWAYS FREE!!) So even when a family doesn't have much of an "entertainment budget", St. Louis comes to the rescue.  (Which was how we were able to visit it so often as a child!)
There are some shows that I will pay for tickets, but most times I like sitting in the "free seats".  Maybe for nostalgia, maybe because it's a different experience, or when I'm flat broke. 
I have always been a fan of live theatre so I LOVE that the Muny is in my own backyard!  What great memories I have of this place and have happily added new ones to my memory back this year. 

The St. Louis Zoo

No St. Louis Summer is complete without at least ONE visit to the zoo.  And once again Forest Park and their grandfathered rules, comes to the aid of families.  The St. Louis Zoo is ALWAYS FREE. 
And this is no chincy, slap something together, see a few goats and a starving cougar someone tried to keep as a pet... no, this is one of the TOP RATED ZOOs in the world!! 
I love our zoo SO MUCH!  It is easy to see as you walk through, how much the animals are loved and cared for and the humans also!  
They have an extensive staff and volunteers working every single day to make the experience unforgettable.  

And THIS year (2023) they've added a new adventure!

FEED THE GIRAFFES!!!
Omigoodness!! This is one of those things you would have had to go to some expensive, exotic place to have such an upclose personal experience with these gentle, long-necked giants.  The StL Zoo said, "Hold my beer!"
Now YOU can feed the giraffes!! And even though the experience only lasts a few moments, it is SO worth it!

Honorable Mentions

The History Museum
Also FREE to get in!  So much to see and do inside! 
Special sections on the St. Louis World's Fair and Missouri's music history and the history of downtown St. Louis! 

The StL Science Center
FREE Admission!  (Did I mention FREE?). This is THREE levels of hands on activities starting from prehistoric to what's next in space and ALL KINDS OF STUFF in between!  The grandkids had a blast here!  I had fun watching them have fun! 

So while I am "stuck" here, I might as well make the most of it.  
I do not love the traffic of the busy city, but hey, we can't have everything, right?

If you are looking for a place to visit and you want more bang for your family buck, St. Louis, Missouri should be on your bucket list.  
SO much to do and SO much of it is FREE!
I promise you will make GREAT memories here!