Where did it all begin?
I can still remember with crystal clarity the moment that I developed my Daily Book framework. I had just started a new role as a Program Director for a major not for profit. I was responsible for conceptualising and implementing transformative changes to their enterprise systems and shifting their culture to support the massive growth strategy that had been set by the CEO.
It was a wonderful role, but I was struggling to keep on top of everything. The work was engaging and energising. So much so that I just wasn't keeping up with my personal admin.
How bad was it really?
I was ignoring it all and concentrating on my work. Everything fell on my shoulders - I was the primary breadwinner and I wasn't getting any help at home from my (now late) husband.
I discovered that we were months behind with the mortgage repayments on our home and investment properties and that I had a huge tax bill that we couldn't afford - I couldn't figure out how to continue to kick goals at work and sort everything out, and I couldn't just take a few days off as I was on a daily contract and we needed the money! Taking the time off would have meant less money to sort everything out - I was so stressed that I couldn't think straight!
How did I dig myself out?
That was the precise moment that I remembered a work habit that I had abandoned a few years before. When I was starting out as a Project Manager, I used to always have a notebook and sit down every morning and spend time writing a list of everything I needed to get done that day.
So I decided it was time to use a Daily Book again. I chose an A5 notebook and it was purple, because it's one of my favourite colours - pretty much an exact match to the theme colour I now use for my Personal Productivity Frameworks. That's NOT a coincidence!!!
