Deliberate Living Made Simpler.

Are You Planning 2026?

For the past few weeks I have been thinking about the future. This wasn't something to note before 2024, but 2024 was a medical nightmare for me, and 2025 has been spent recovering from the long-term effects of my treatment.

Now that I have more energy, I am starting to think about what I want to do in terms of large projects. I know better than to start something like that in December (hello crazy holiday time) but I have wanted to do a bit more in-depth thinking and planning than a typical 12 week year*.

My accountability partner was feeling the same way, so we went back to an old favorite: Leonie Dawson's "My Brilliant Year Life Goals"* workbook. I'm using that as a start for the personal stuff. For the blog, I am working with the Happy Downloads Business Planner Expansion*.

I'm wondering what tools you are using this year? I would love to hear - please drop me a line at laura@lauraearnest.com.

*Indicates an affiliate link, meaning I will receive a small commission if you purchase at no cost to you.

Quick Productivity Tips

Consider Your Calendars: How many calendars do you use? You probably have one for home and one for work. What about school schedules? Music studio calendars? Sports calendars? Spouse calendars?Your assignment for today: make a list of all the calendars you use.
Turn Off All Notifications: One of the best ways to be undisturbed by phone notifications is to turn them all off. Scary, isn't it? But sometimes the best way to determine what you want for alerts is to go a few days without any. Your mission: turn off all notifications on your phone. This includes voicemail chimes, all social media, and anything else that beeps or chirps at you. You'll survive. I promise.
Consider the Junk Mail: Junk mail is everywhere. I find it not only at home, but at work, and sometimes even stuck to my front door. Junk mail is a waste of resources. Not only the resources to create it, but the gas to transport it and deliver it. And then there is your time to sort it from your mail, and toss it or recycle it. It isn't as easy to unsubscribe from physical mail as it is from electronic mail, but it can still be done. In the US, the DMA provides a service to help you do it. Your mission today: get off a mailing list. Try http://www.directmail.com/mail_preference/ in the US.

What’s Happening On The Blog

Another unexpected programming change on the blog, cutting out the software (theme) that was slowing everything down. I will be adjusting the new one to my preferences over the next month or so.

I have added more freebies to the store - you can check them out in a single place on the blog's bonus page.

Articles This Month:

Decluttering the Stuff: KonMari Method: I revisited the KonMari method after previously trying it and found it had good points but was too impractical for my lifestyle, so I adapted it to work better for my needs and space.
The Foundations of Productivity: The start of a series on foundations of productivity to build a solid base for lasting efficiency and effectiveness.
Don't Fiddle: The Foundations of Productivity: Stop fiddling with your productivity system—changing without purpose is just procrastination in disguise.
Use Tools Appropriately: The Foundations of Productivity: I learnhttps://www.lauraearnest.com/know-what-youre-doing/ed that using tools appropriately is essential for productivity. Mixing information types causes confusion and inefficiency, just like using a shoe instead of a hammer.
Limit Projects: The Foundations of Productivity: I explore how limiting projects boosts productivity, helping you finish tasks faster and avoid the overwhelm of taking on too much at once.
Focus on One Thing: The Foundations of Productivity: I've learned that when I focus on one thing at a time, I accomplish more and do better work than when I try to multitask. It's transformed my productivity.
Start As You Intend To Continue: The Foundations of Productivity: I believe that waiting for perfect conditions is just procrastination in disguise. Start as you intend to continue, and you'll transform your goals into reality.
Build Your Habits: The Foundations of Productivity: Build your habits intentionally to create automatic pathways toward success, freeing mental energy and making progress effortless without constant willpower.
Lasting Change Isn't Sudden: The Foundations Of Productivity: Lasting change requires time, persistence, and small consistent actions. Start with manageable steps, track your progress, and stay committed to gradual transformation.
Complete or Abandon: The Foundations of Productivity: Complete or abandon unfinished projects to reclaim mental clarity and boost productivity by eliminating distracting open loops that drain your focus.
Eliminate the Unnecessary: The Foundations of Productivity: Eliminate the unnecessary by auditing your processes, questioning each step, and focusing on efficiency to achieve more with less effort.
Don't Rethink: The Foundations of Productivity: Stop rethinking what you've already captured. Trust your systems, free your mind, and focus on what matters - because mental cycles wasted on repetition drain energy.
Know What You're Doing: Foundations of Productivity: Know what you're doing and why to boost productivity. Clarity on your goals and purpose is the foundation for achieving meaningful success.

What Patrons Saw

Working In Seasonal Tasks
Seasonal tasks are easier to manage with lists, planning, and breaking work into small steps.

6 Sunday Tasks for a Better Week
By carving out a little time for my six tasks, I set a rhythm that reduces friction, curbs stress, and fuels consistency. The result isn’t a perfectly choreographed life, but a steadier, more intentional one where I start each Monday feeling prepared.

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