We’ve got exciting new colors, including something you’ve been asking for for several years — yes, that’s right, LEOPARD is back for both momAgenda and myAgenda day planners!

I’ll also be answering ALL your questions, so please post them below. Or you can ask them while we’re live!

Can’t wait to see you all. Hope everything is safe and healthy. These times are unprecedented but we still need our planners!

The holiday season, for many of us, can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Will there be unpleasant political arguments over Thanksgiving dinner? Will I get everything done in time for Christmas morning? Will I gain 10 lbs from eating all the holiday treats in sight?

Here are a few suggestions to help you minimize your stress levels over the next 6 weeks.

Practice Gratitude

There really is no substitute for gratitude during times of stress. Those of you reading this blog post have access to a computer or phone and internet access. You probably have an education and a roof over your head and food to eat and socks to wear when your feet are cold.

Write 3 things you’re grateful for in your journal each morning when you wake up. It’s an easy way to start your day with a positive, expansive attitude.

Move Your Body

Some people ask me how I have time to exercise every day, given that I have 4 kids and a business to run. The answer is, I would not be able to fulfill all my responsibilities effectively if I did not exercise regularly…I have come to depend on the mood and energy boost I get from regular exercise.

Exercise is the ultimate mood enhancer, energy lifter, and productivity booster. Make time for an hour of exercise each day and notice how you feel as a result.

Make Self-Care a Priority

When mom is happy, everyone is happy. It’s a cliche because it’s true. So make a list of things that make you feel good. Do those things. Repeat.

I’m not talking about ignoring your responsibilities and running off to Bali. I’m talking about knowing what brings you pleasure and happiness, and making sure you attend to those things during your daily life. Buy yourself a cappuccino… wear an outfit that makes you feel fabulous and gorgeous, just because… listen to your favorite music while working or driving… sneak in a quick manicure during lunch.

We all tend to put ourselves last…especially during busy times of year like the holidays. The reality is that you have needs too, just like your kids do, and there’s nothing wrong with ensuring those needs are met.

Relax…You’ve Got This

Go into every situation knowing that circumstances may not be perfect, but you are more than equipped to handle it. You’ve gotten through every holiday season up until now and the world hasn’t stopped spinning. You’ll get through this one too.

So if you come up short on gifts for your kids…or you burn the holiday roast…or you forget about the office holiday cocktail party….don’t sweat it. Forgive yourself and move on.

What are your secrets to surviving the holiday season? Please share them in the comments section below.

This year, our planners are better than ever! We heard the feedback from our loyal customers and we’ve really taken it to heart. With improvements like thick, luscious paper quality, lay-flat binding, a bigger font, and an extra ribbon to hold your momEssentials pamphlet, I know you’re going to love these new planners as much as I do!

And the new colors for 2018-19 are soft, pretty, and quintessentially feminine! From the momAgenda Desktop in Pearl or Violet (the Pantone Color of the Year!), to the Home Office Edition in Bone White or Blush (with gold spiral binding), to the myAgenda Desktop or Mini in Shimmery Robin’s Egg or Navy Python, to the myAgenda Desktop Spiral in Blush Dot or Sandy Lattice, I’m confident you’ll find something to suit your style this year.

See these colors and changes for yourself in my Facebook Live video above and make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram to start getting organized with style!

Are you as excited about our new 2018-19 planners as we are?

Everyone seems to want another hour in their day…whether to work out, to really focus on the kids without distraction, to talk with a friend, or to just read a book without being interrupted.

What I’ve learned is that no one is going to give you more time — you need to take it for yourself. And there are steps you can take to do so, without guilt.

1. Prioritize the things that are most important to you, and then only do those things. 

Make a list of the 10 things that are most important to you. Then pick, out of those 10, which 5 are most important. And then, I know it’s hard, but pick the top 3 out of those 5. Do those things. Say no to everything and everyone else.

2. Figure out what makes you happy and deliberately do those things during your down time. 

For me, activities like listening to music and reading actually feel good and make me happy. But it’s so easy to get caught up in time sucks like surfing the internet. Be disciplined about doing what actually feels good.

3. Take control of your schedule. 

Sit down with your planner every Sunday night, before your week begins, and schedule in your priorities. Schedule in your breaks. I’ve even started scheduling in items on my to-do list. The only way to ensure you have time for something is to schedule it and treat it like the important appointment it is.

4. Let everything else go. 

If you really want to find more time in your day, you need to learn to be ok with disappointing people. When you take control of your schedule, you might let other people down — when I took these steps years ago, I certainly did (the PTA at my kids’ school comes to mind). Be ok with that.

Above all else, know that how you spend your time is how you spend your life. Your life is precious, and it’s essential to spend it only on the things that matter to you, that make you happy, and that feed your soul.

In the comments below, share your thoughts on how you make more time for yourself in your life.

This week, after a busy and chaotic holiday season, my older kids are back at college and my younger kids are back in their regular school routines. Although I miss them a ton, I’m secretly savoring the alone time. That’s because I finally get to indulge in a few of my favorite pastimes, including….

1. Reading

I admit to being a little nerdy, but reading is my #1 downtime activity. I’m seriously obsessed with books. I even created a Pinterest board just to celebrate how much I love books in my (and other people’s) home. I love to escape to a different world, with new characters I haven’t met yet and new situations and plot lines and locations…and when the book ends I nearly always feel a little bit sad to say goodbye.

2. Exercise

Bear with me on this one. I don’t usually look forward to exercising…actually I never look forward to it. But once I get started, and it actually starts to feel good, then I’m like, hey why don’t I do this every day? And then I remember, oh yeah, I DO do this every day but I usually dread it. And then I’m like, wait I should get more psyched about this because it  feels pretty good in my body.

So, exercise is not exactly what I actively look forward to in my downtime…but I always feel good afterward, and I never regret doing it.

3. TV

I almost never watch regularly scheduled tv anymore, other than my favorite news shows. Now though, I’ve followed my kids’ leads and gotten into binge-watching my favorite shows online. Recently, I’ve enjoyed Ozark and Penny Dreadful. And currently, I’m in the process of rewatching each season of Game of Thrones, because IT’S JUST THAT GOOD and quite honestly it’s even better the second time around — I’m picking up on way more and getting more out of it.

What types of activities do you enjoy during your downtime?

As a busy mom, you’re probably overwhelmed with stuff to do, and the last thing you want is to add to your already stuffed to-do list. But ironically, meal planning actually makes your life easier.

Meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. Take these 3 easy steps and you’ll be amazed at how much less time you spend thinking about that eternal question, “What’s for dinner?”

1. Make a master list of meals

Sit down with your family and a piece of paper, and make a list of the meals everyone likes. In my house, with 4 kids, there is a huge diversity in food likes/dislikes, so there are a variety of different kinds of meals on our list. That’s ok! Just do a brain dump of every meal that makes your family happy.

2. Every Sunday, spend a few minutes with your day planner, penciling in meals for the week.

Simply pull out your master list and pick 5 meals for the week. Take into account which nights the kids are coming home late from school or going to games, so you can schedule in easy meals for those nights. Also, I always give myself at least one night off for pizza or some other type of takeout food. Because self-care.

3. Make your shopping list, buy ingredients, and you’re ready for the week.

Go grocery shopping on Sunday, before the week begins. Some people like to chop their veggies and wash their lettuce on Sundays too. I don’t take it that far, but if it works for you, go for it! Or be like me, and buy pre-chopped and pre-washed veggies.

Trust me, you’ll be amazed at how much energy you free up when you remove the “What’s for dinner” question from your list. Try it, and let me know in the comments below how it’s working for you.

p.s. Try our Meal Planner Pad as an easy tool to help you get started!

For me, reflecting on the past year means sitting down and writing. I’ve developed a system that helps me be really conscious and awake to what’s been happening in my life and what I want to happen in the future.

One note about this process: I don’t recommend doing all this all at once. Take your time and write.  Then come back and revise, rewrite, and edit. Let the answers to come to you, rather than forcing them onto the page.

Step 1:

The first step is to write everything down. Write down all the major events that happened in your life, good and bad, over the course of the year. Then categorize everything in 2 columns: what went well, and what didn’t go well.

Step 2:

The second step is to think about what you learned from these experiences, both good and bad. This is helpful on so many levels, but primarily because it allows you to reflect on what lessons you’re taking with you into 2018…and what you want to leave behind in 2017, never to be seen again.

Step 3:

The next step is to think about what you want to create in 2018. Plan your goals in every category of life, from business to parenting to health to personal life. Once you’ve written down a few goals in each area, add details on how you want to feel. It’s important to note that what we’re really after is the feeling derived from the goal (eg feeling healthy and strong and fit)…not just the goal itself (eg losing 10 pounds). So the desired feelings are really the most important part of this exercise.

Step 4:

Next, list a few actions you’ll take in order to achieve each of your desired goals/feelings. Otherwise, you’ll just have desires with no plan. For example, say your goal is to lose 10 lbs and feel healthy, strong, and fit. The actions you’ll take are: to only eat when you’re hungry, to write down everything you eat, and to exercise 4-5 times per week. That turns your desire into a real, tangible, achievable plan.

Step 5:

The final step is to come up with your word for the year. Pick one word that will guide your decisions and actions throughout the year. For example, if your goal is to take better care of yourself and live a healthier lifestyle, your word could be “self-care.”

Once you’ve completed all these steps, you’ll have a handy reference guide on how you want to live your life in your journal, that you’ll refer to again and again throughout the year. It will guide your decision-making process and your mindset.

How do you prepare for the new year? Let me know in the comments!

Here are a few things I’ll be doing to prepare for the big day in September….

1. Order Your Must-Have’s Now

You know all the supplies you need, such as pens, sharpies, staples, and paper clips. Check your desk drawers and restock on any supplies that are low. Now’s also a great time to order your planner, a new notebook, and note pads for quick teacher notes and to-do lists.

2. Streamline Your Routine

If you don’t have one already, look into grocery delivery services in your area. If your budget allows, try a meal delivery service – I’ve heard good things about Plated and Blue Apron. These days, you can even have your dry cleaning picked up and delivered back to you. Think about what other errands you can essentially “outsource” by finding a delivery service, and then sign up and let them do the work for you!

3. Start a Meal Planning Practice

Make a list of meals your family loves and put it in your planner. I usually set up a 2-week rotation, which requires about 10 meals. This streamlines grocery shopping and allows me to always be prepared for the age-old question, “What’s for dinner tonight?”

4. Fill Your Important Dates in Your Planner Now

Go online and look up all the school, sports, and extracurricular schedules, and start writing the dates in your planner. I like to fill in the entire year so I know it’s done. While you’re at it, update the school and sports medical forms. This project is the one many of us dread, I know – my advice is to just do it now, and get it over with.

5. Make a Commitment to Yourself That You Will Say “Yes” Only to Things You Really Want To Do

Think about what your goals are for this year. Write your 3 most important priorities on a sticky note, and put it in the front of your planner where you’ll see it every day. Then, only say yes to requests on your time that are aligned with those priorities.

What are your favorite back to school tips? Please share in the comments below.

Exercise can be tricky. Although the benefits are clear, it’s not always fun and there always seem to be a million other things to do.

So let me start by saying that exercise is one of my self-care musts. And it has nothing to do with fitting into my jeans (ok, maybe it has a little bit to do with that). It’s about FEELING GOOD by elevating my mood and clearing my head.

I can say unequivocally that I would not be able to maintain my business and be the kind of mom I want to be, without regular exercise.

So…how do you do it?

Just Write It Down

That’s it. Look at your calendar early in the week (I do this on Sundays) and schedule in time to exercise every day. Write it down in pen.

If you schedule it in 6 days, maybe it won’t happen all 6 days but it will probably happen 3 or 4 days. And that’s enough.

But what if I don’t like exercising?

I don’t particularly like “exercising” either. So I do a bit of reframing.

I DO like catching up with my friends, so walking with a friend is a form of exercise I indulge in at least once a week.

I DO like dancing, so I take a dance class once a week.

I DO like listening to music, so I run to my favorite playlists a few times a week.

I DO like having muscle tone, so I take a barre class once or twice a week.

See the pattern? Figure out what you do like… then do that. And when you don’t like it, remember your why, the reason why you like doing it.

My friend Janet likes hitting things, so she takes a boxing class. My friend Lisa likes feeling zen, so she takes yoga. My friend Laura likes having time to herself, so she walks solo 5 times per week.

Keeping It Up

Just like anything else, it takes time for exercise to become a habit. At first, you make yourself do it; eventually you’ll want to do it.

I used to have to force myself to go running; now, I want to go running because I know I’ll feel amazing afterward.

Finding time to exercise is actually really simple: 1. find what you like, and 2. schedule it in your day planner (or your phone or your online calendar or wherever you keep your schedule).

What are your tricks for squeezing in time to exercise? Please share in the comments below!

I get it! Really. There really is no time. Not a single one of us busy moms has room in our day planners for another single thing.

But you have 60 seconds.

Come on, you know you do.

That’s literally less than the time it takes to make your morning coffee…or skim your Twitter feed…or brush your teeth.

Think about this: the average Facebook visit takes 20 minutes. How about you spend 19 minutes on Facebook instead, and using the remaining 60 seconds on YOU?

Ok, I’ve made my point. Here are a few laser-focused, quick self-care strategies you can try for 60 seconds, and reap big benefits:

1. Meditate

Turn off your phone, sit down on your bed or couch, and simply focus on your inhale and exhale. It feels so good, you may want to stick around longer than a minute…but one minute is enough to make you feel calm and centered.

2. Listen to Music

The amazing thing about listening to music is that it can change your mood instantly; it doesn’t even take 60 seconds. Want to feel the full effect? Really crank up the volume, lie on the floor, and close your eyes. Notice how you don’t just hear the music; you start to feel it throughout your body.

3. Light a Candle

Lighting your favorite scented candle makes you feel pampered, like you’ve just stepped into a spa…even if you’re just at home in your kitchen. I use this tip in my own life nearly every day.

4. Take a Dance Break

This is a trick I learned from Regena Tomashauer, aka Mama Gena, who teaches women the art of self-care and pleasure. She says, “A dance break is like a no-fail reset button. Use it.” So put on your favorite upbeat tune and dance like no one’s watching – even if only for a minute. You’ll feel amazing afterwards.

What are your favorite quickie self-care strategies? Please share in the comments below!