2015 Promises to Myself

I didn't plan to post this until later on in the month, but I already have friends asking how I'm setting goals for 2015. So here goes! I'm doing "promises to myself" again like I did in 2014. This method worked really well for me because I printed out my promises, shared them on my blog, and figured our how to get them done throughout the year. Even though 2015 will be impossible to completely plan for, it always helps to set goals and make promises to yourself. Here are my 2015 promises to myself, and below I have a blank copy you can use!

And here's a clean copy for you to use if you like this format too!

Set yourself up for a great new year!

How to manage multiple email addresses

Since started internship  a few weeks ago, I'm now responsible for six different email addresses. Yes, six! Trust me, I would combine them if I could, but they're separate accounts for a reason. On an average day I get between 50-100 emails total from all of the accounts.

Here's the breakdown for the email addresses I currently have

One is my personal email address that I use for school (I have my school email address forwarded to this account), family, close friends, bills, etc. One is my RCSOATL blog email address that I use for blog business, blog comments, news subscriptions, blog subscriptions, etc. One is for my communications company email address, one is for my graduate research position, one is an organization email address, and the newest one is for my internship.

Wow, that sounds even crazier after typing it. But managing all of them isn't bad at all. And I don't let emails go more than 24 hours without responding to them. 

So here's the method to my madness

1. Have a system | Like any other organization method, it's important to find and stick to a system that works best for you. I've gained new email addresses over the years and I've figured out what really works for my schedule and lifestyle. Below are a few tips based on the system I use to manage multiple email accounts.

2. Differentiate your accounts somehow | My biggest fear when it comes to having multiple email accounts is that I may respond from the wrong address or mix up emails somehow. To try and avoid this, I make all of my email accounts (on the web) look different by using different background images and default images. Google mail makes this really easy to do. And my two work emails naturally have unique appearances. I also really utilize the folders options on all of my email addresses. I do not like having an email in my inbox after I've read it and handled it. So it will either be deleted if I know I won't need it later or it will go in one of my folders if I feel I may need it later. Lastly, I use different email signatures for each account to help keep track of them when exchanging emails with other people on my phone or my laptop. 

3. Forward & link emails if possible | If you have the option of forwarding or linking email accounts, this definitely makes things easier! My gmail accounts are linked so that I can switch between inboxes quickly. However, forwarding does not work for my other accounts because I have to respond from the appropriate account.

4. Don't unmark it until you've responded or acted appropriately | I can't stress this one enough. People who I know that struggle with email seem to make the mistake of reading an email, not responding, and not remarking the email as unread. It's easy to do this and eventually forget about a message, causing you to miss a deadline or just seem unorganized. I always keep emails marked as unread until I have handled them, and it really helps me tackle every single email appropriately and in a timely manner.

5. Add the most used accounts to mobile devices | My personal, blog, and company email addresses are on my mobile device because I feel the most connected and invested in those accounts and the emails I receive from those accounts. And I am known for responding to emails at a lightening speed when it comes to these accounts because they come to my phone like text messages and I can't stand that little notification bubble. If the email doesn't require more than two paragraphs/eight sentences, then I will respond as soon as possible using my phone. However, for emails that will require more time, are really important and may require more proofreading, or emails that are easier to read on a larger screen; I use my laptop to answer.

6. Schedule a time to check the other accounts and stick to it | My three other accounts are not connected to my phone and I like it that way. I'm working on not feeling so obligated to being connected and plugged in, and keeping my work emails off of my phone has really helped with that. And one of my work emails is a government account and cannot legally be connected to my phone because of potential threats over unsecured internet connections. However, that means I have to make an effort to check and keep up with these three accounts. This is where my agenda really comes in handy. I naturally check those accounts on days that I am in the office, but on the days I am not in the office I mark down on my agenda to check those email accounts.

If you have any other tips for managing multiple email accounts, please leave them in a comment below!

Keeping up with long term goals

Although I've been working on two lists with short term goals (Summer Bucket List & 23 to-do's), I have a lengthy list of long term goals that I'm working to accomplish as well. And those goals aren't as easy to accomplish. I often get questions from girls and women just starting to go after their dreams and want to know how to make them happen. Long term goals require special treatment, a particular level of energy and dedication, and a true passion. I also believe that some long term goals are better left unspoken and unshared with the public. But I will share that my long term goals are not just business-related. I have long-term goals for my personal life as well and those goals require the same type of attention and work as my career goals. Below, I'm sharing a few methods I've used to achieve long term (they take a year or longer to achieve) goals, and why I find them useful.

How to follow through with long term goals

1. Break them down into smaller goals or shorter deadlines | I find it useful to break down my long term goals into smaller goals that I hope will lead to the long term goal. A personal example of this is my long term goal of working for a politician or running for office. I have been breaking that goal down over the past few years. In college, I had goals of getting involved with student government and getting a political internship. By achieving those goals, I feel closer to achieving my long term goal even if I don't know when it will happen. Breaking your long term goal into smaller goals makes things more exciting and relaxed. Think about what experiences may guide you toward your long term goal, and go after those experiences until you get to the final destination! Reaching those shorter deadlines also helps build your confidence and serves as inspiration to persevere. 

2. Keep a goals journal/sketch pad | I keep two journals - one is a gratitude journal where I write down the aspects of life I'm grateful for, and the other journal is where I jot down my ideas and goals. I usually open goals journal twice a month - when I want to remind myself of my long term goals, and when I have an idea to help accomplish that goal. I also put a date next to my goals in my journal and write down when I hope to accomplish them. It's not a super strict deadline, but more of a plan.

3. Post them in a place you frequently look at | if journals aren't really your style, try writing or posting your goals in a more creative way. Inspiration boards can also double as "goals boards" with your goals listed among the inspiration. It helps to have your goals listed somewhere you look on a daily basis (bedroom wall, bathroom mirror, cell phone wallpaper, bracelet, etc.). The more you're reminded of your long term goals, the more they become apart of your life journey. Stay inspired and motivated as you work on your long term goals. This means surrounding yourself with positive and encouraging people, and speaking about your goals positively.

How do you manage long term goals?

2015 kate spade large agenda {review}

Ironically, I was online browsing for a new agenda on the same day that Lifeguard Press asked me to review a 2015 kate spade agenda; too good to be true! I chose to review the large agenda in the Painterly Cheetah print. I loved this shade of green and animal print never goes out of style. My second favorite print is the classic Black Stripe print. Of course these are beautiful on the outside, but I was curious to see if the contents of the agenda would suit my busy schedule's needs. Once I received my agenda, I flipped through every section and I knew this was the agenda for me. Check out some of my favorite aspects of this agenda:

The monthly quotations. I love the little statements printed throughout the agenda for each month. Here's a sneak peek at the quotation for August - "Skip the formalities."

The front pocket. After years of having paper planners, these have become a necessity for me. I use front pockets for business cards, stamps, and other important notes. The pocket on this agenda is the perfect size!

The mylar-covered tabs. I love that these tabs are protected because in the past, I've had tabs on my agendas tear - I use my agenda all throughout the day!

The gold binder ring. I love all things gold and this gold binding for the agenda compliments the green interior perfectly. I love how simple, yet creative and sophisticated the inside and outside of this agenda looks.

The monthly view. Nice-sized squares for me to write down events, meetings, and my class/work schedule.

The weekly view. Enough space for me to write down my daily assignments and to-do lists.

I am so obsessed with this new agenda and I'm literally counting down the days until I can start using it! 

You can pre-order one here!

2015 kate spade new york large 17-month agenda | painterly cheetah (℅)