I don’t know about you but every year my wish list of things I need/want for my Celebrant business just seems to grow, but when it comes to actually getting these things, I either put it off, spend the money on someone or something else or when it comes to it, I simply forget that there are things that I need for my business.
So I thought this year I would create a wish list. I never create wish lists, because in all honesty I don’t WISH for (or need) anything in general and when it comes to my personal life I am definitely someone who subscribes to a ‘more experiences, less stuff,’ approach. However I do recognise that as a business owner there are often new things that I need for my business, and so I thought I would share my wish list with you and my husband!.
So feel free to use my wish list for your own Christmas wish list inspiration, or you may even find (like me) that you go ahead and buy something for yourself anyway, as Christmas feels like too far away to wait. Hint: Michelle Obama’s biography!
I’ve split my list into ‘productivity tools,’ things which should help me on a day-to-day work basis and ‘business and inspirational books’, which contains a lot of books that are currently on my reading list!
Have you got anything from this list already? If you have, do let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear your feedback. Does my wish list look like yours? What would you add to yours?
Productivity tools
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Michael Hyatt, if you’ve never heard of him, is a hugely successful leadership mentor. He helps business people to get clear on their goals and to work as productively as possible to achieve their goals. So it’s pretty handy that he has also developed this awesome planner to not only help you to make goals, but which actually helps you to break them down into tasks and track your goals. I am such a technology freak but when it comes to planning, I always use pen and paper! The downside with this planner is that it is quarterly, so you have to buy one every quarter. Personally, I think that’s a great way to keep your goals in check for each quarter!
I’m torn between this planner and Michael Hyatt’s. I actually saw this planner on an Instagram post, which was shared by another Celebrant. I’m usually very swayed by how pretty stationery looks, but I’m getting better and I totally get that functionality is just as important as looks! And so I think this planner ticks all the boxes!
Now bear with me. I’m sure you’re wondering why on earth I have a tomato-shaped timer featured on my wish list! Do let me explain. I like to follow a system of work called the Pomodoro technique. In a nutshell, it’s a way of working where you work through a list of tasks on a timed basis, and actually use a timer to define the time you spend on the task, usually about 25 minutes. I find this structured way of working really helps when I need to get something done and I need to focus solely on it (I don’t work like this all of the time!). I’ve been using the timer on my phone but I’ve realised that it has a negative effect, because I will look at my phone to see how much time I have left, then I will see what notifications and messages I have, and before you know it, the timer sounds and I’ve not done what I set out to do. So a physical timer, means I can put my phone away and concentrate on the task in hand! And besides, who wouldn’t want a big red tomato brightening up their desk?
After many years of being a diehard paper scripts user, I surprised even myself when I switched to a device. At the time of writing I am one year into using my ipad for my ceremonies. I love it! I love that my business is 90% paper-free and I love the ease of use and not having to fight with wind or struggle holding a mic and my ipad, the way I used to with a binder or booklet, even an A5 sized booklet. So even though my first device-usage has gone well, I now recognise that it’s time to switch to a Kindle. There’s nothing wrong with an ipad but I really like that a Kindle is a reading device, which is its primary function, so unlike my ipad, it will not become bogged down with apps ie games for my six year old and will just be used for my ceremonies. I also love that the new Paperwhite is waterproof, thinking ahead to the odd drops of rain during a ceremony that I might get or even a spilt drink and often in my case, a water bottle in the bag which doesn’t have its lid on properly! I am definitely sold on this though.
Business and Inspirational books
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5.Becoming by Michelle Obama. If I don’t get this for Christmas, I will just by it for myself anyway. It’s got to be this year’s must-have book!
You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero. I am a huge fan of Jen Sincero. And I love all of her books, so I’m looking forward to getting my mitts on this one! Very empowering.
6.Get Rich, Lucky Bitch!: Release Your Money Blocks and Live a First-Class Life by Denise Duffield Thomas. I follow Denise on every channel possible, but I’ve never actually read any of her books (I know!). I love her ethos and how she encourages women (and men) to create a life they love, by filling it with riches (money, love, happiness, gratitude).
7.StandOutOnline: How to Build a Profitable and Influential Personal Brand in the Digital Age by Natasha Courtenay-Smith. I am super proud and excited to have this book on my list, as it is written by my good friend and namesake! And although she offered to send me a copy, I’m going to support her and buy my own. This is her second book, her first being ‘ The Million Dollar Blog,’ which I currently have sitting on my shelf and is an awesome read.
Well, I hope you like my list. Do let me know if you have got any of the same wishes or what else you have on your own wish list, I’d love to hear!
EDIT: Since publishing my list, I have in fact received a Kindle as a thank you present from a dear friend and Michelle Obama’s book for my birthday. You see, writing down what you want, can and does work!
