First of all congrats š If you were here, I would be popping a confetti cannon here to celebrate! You took the leap and bought your 2022 Powersheets, YAY! Whether you have been doing powersheets for years (Iām on year five) or you are just starting out – I am excited for you to dig into these pages and uncover what matters most to you with you! Also, yes, I am aware of how many exclamation points are in just this one paragraph, but thatās because you have made the best decision!
Today, I want to share with you what I use, but most importantly what I do to prepare to work through my annual Powersheets prep work.
What I do to prepare myself to dive into the Prep Work!
First, I like to get in a space that is comfortable and gives me the ability to focus. I do not finish my prep work in one day – ever. I tend to start sticky noting my powersheets at the beginning of Cultivate’s Powersheets Prep Week and/or during their Cultivate Your Year Live event. I do not physically write in my Powersheets until The Powersheet Prep Gals Annual Prep Party that I host. I tend to start my brainstorming, sticky-noting process either at my desk or on my couch. I know that our living room isn’t always spotless and sometimes my desk isn’t always “instagram perfect,” but as long as the space is clean and I am able to clearly think – that’s the most important piece for me.
Typically six months into the year, I keep a notes page open as a landing page for random ideas or thoughts I have for the following year’s prep work. I don’t do this with any set in stone schedule, I just jot down my thoughts when they come to mind and put them in the respective categories.
The categories I make space for are:
- Goal Ideas
- Things I am saying no to
- Things I am saying yes to
- Lessons Learned
- Word of the Year Ideas
- Any other notes
I used to be afraid of thinking of the future, to be honest, I still am in some ways. Yes, I can be hesitant to hope because my life has not gone how I pictured it, but I also know that God gives generously and takes away wisely. I ultimately want what He wants for me – even if I canāt fully see what is in store nor the purpose of what I am going through in the moment. Maybe you are looking at your powersheets and as excited as you are to dive into these gorgeous pages, you are afraid that if you let yourself dream of how God can use you that you are walking into a mouse trap of disappointment. Friend, I am right there with you, but as painful as surrendering my dreams into His hands has been, I have never been more content.
About a week before I start my brainstorm sticky-noting, I will pray over my Powersheets and that the Lord would clearly open my eyes and my heart to what He has in store for me and what He wants me to do with the following year.
Now just like I pray over these pages, I simplify the notes I took over the course of the year. I use sticky notes in two ways, one to organize my thoughts and two to complete a rough draft. So first, I go page by page with sticky notes and place my ideas and thoughts on the proper pages. Secondly, I also just spend time on each page brainstorming and sticky-noting. I am someone who sends an email and a couple hours later wishes I could change/reword, add or takeaway something to the email. I do my best when I work on something and think on it, thatās why I approach my powersheets that way.
What I use to get into my Powersheets Prep Work!
Here are all of the tool that I use to get into my prep work! I will start with the favorite necessities, and then I will share my favorite-extra-technically-not-necessities that I love to use!
My Top 6 Favorite Necessities!
1. The Powersheets Intentional Goal Planner: Obviously we can’t do our prep work without our Powersheets! As you can see from the photo I am #teamblooms this year for my 5th set, and have never been more obsessed with a cover!
2. PaperMate Mechanical Pencil: if you know me you know that I have become a self acclaimed pen-connoisseur. So I have a favorite type of every writing utensil. I only buy the Papermate Mechanical Pencil because I like them the best by far.
3. Papermate Flair Pen: I love all of the colored ones from this collection, but the black medium flair pen is a staple that I use for every single tending list.
4. Pilot Frixion Erasable Pen: This is my every day, all day staple! I have used every swingle product from the Frixion Erasable Collection and love it all! My favorite colored gel pens can be found here, but the plain black retractable pens are my forever and always staple.
5. Cowbells + Confetti: Yes, this IS a necessity! The PSP Gals and I use lots of confetti and ring cowbells literally all day long during our PSP party! Every year I actually close certain prep pages with confetti in them so when I flip through them I will see it, and I always leave some in the inside pocket of my Powersheets because we all need some emergency confetti in our Powersheets!
6. Goal Setting Sticker Book: Not only do the stickers add so much fun to your Prep Work, but they help you color code! I don’t typically color code right away, but once I finish page 27 (in the 2022 Powersheets) I will go back through all the pages and use the dots to help me notice patterns and aligning ideas to help me make my 2022 goals.
My Favorite-technically-not-necessary Necessities!
Sticker Packs: Celebrations Pack, Wellness Pack, Planner Pack, Faith Pack, Garden Pack, and Letters + Numbers Pack
Tending Tape: This year the options are the Bright Tending Tape Set or the Neutral Tending Tape Set
Crayola Super Tip Markers: I prefer these over highlighters, and the markers match the goal setting sticker book colors very well
Dual Brush Pens: I rarely use the brush pen side, but loooove the other tip. I am using the amazon basics set rather than the Tombow brush pens because after testing them they work just as well (it just took me a little longer to break them in) and are half the price
Pilot Frixion Erasable Markers: I learned to hand letter with these, and being able to erase easily made me so much more confident!
Accessory Pouch: This holds all your pens and fits around your powersheets! I keep my sticker books and packs along with some of my pens and tending tape in this pouch. I am #teamblooms this year
A Phone Away Bag: I do use my notes page on my phone but other than that I keep my phone on do not disturb when working… and this bag is too cute to pass up!
Break It Down Notepad: I use these every month to break down goals on my tending list and use them when I am working on my goal action plans
Cowbells: Every year, Sam, the creative genius of The PSP Gals, decorates a white cowbell for each party as our “party favor” from the event!
Carry All Pouch or Tote Bag: I have the Teal Carry All for my Powersheets and the Citrus Carry All for my medication bag. I also LOVE the tote bag and have it in Seaglass
Don’t forget to join me on December 6th for our CYYL After Party to kick off the start of prep week! You can register here!
There you have it! That’s how I prepare to dig into your Powersheets Prep Work! What is a tool you can’t prep without?
Also, in case you didnāt know, here on Living the Chronic Illness Life you now have access to the
š Grace + Goals Resource Library š
which helps you tailor your goal setting and powersheets to seasons of uncertainty. You can find all the info here!
The 2022 Powersheets are now available to buy! I am #teamblooms this year and in this 2022 Collection my top three must haves are: the Goal Setting Sticker Book, the Snap In Wildcard Holder, and the Teal Carry all Pouch!
Cassie Nolin is a married spoonie who lives the chronic illness life with EDS + Co. (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and itās comorbid conditions.) She challenges others to choose grace over guilt while goal setting, and is in ministry part time serving the online community through Grace + Goals and The Spoonie Study. She loves planting, hand lettering, and sharing the hope she has found in Jesus. Her blog, Living the Chronic Illness Life, is in the top 100 chronic illness blogs and in 2019 she launched her podcast, Chronically Cultivating, where Cassie encourages women to live authentic and intentional lives through their diagnosisā not in spite of them. You can learn more about her at www.livingthechronicillnesslife.com
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