I have long been a fan of
proactively managing my calendar.
It’s the simplest and most effective system I know
for creating habits, setting intentions, honoring self and others,
as well as the more rudimentary tasks of being a calendar:
scheduling appointments and remembering birthdays.
The “memory system” of not writing things down is
decidedly less effective in my experience.
As a coach, by definition, I am not in the advice-giving business.
That being said, I must confess to imploring a client or 20
to please get a calendar and use it.
Recently, in the coach’s version of “Physician, heal thyself”,
I noticed I was doing a lousy job of managing my own calendar,
particularly as it related to giving myself a break during the day.
Blocking time for “lunch”, failed to get my attention
and I routinely scheduled over that time.
In frustration, I created a daily, reoccurring appointment titled:
“Julie deserves lunch.”
Julie deserves lunch.
I do deserve lunch.
Now, every time I am tempted to over-book,
I am reminded that, in fact, I do deserve lunch,
and find another spot for my client.
Words have meaning.
Calendars work.
And lunch dates with myself can be tasty and empowering.