Hi Friends,

Thank you all for playing the little game in last week’s newsletter.

The final question in the game was, “Is there anything you would like to ask Nancy?”

What great questions you had!  In fact, as I was reading them, I decided I would create a section in the newsletter called, “Ask Nancy”.

Some of the questions require more than what I can put in the newsletter and today is one of those times.

The question asked by most of you was,

     Nancy, how do you get it all done?

The easy answer for me to give is, I don’t.  (Did you notice Embroidery It didn’t have a birthday party in June?  I just couldn’t pull it all off.)  Things do slip through the cracks or have to wait for another day.  But I  have a list of things I do to share with you that certainly helps because I do get a lot accomplished each day.

Let me begin by saying, my husband and I are do-it-yourselfers and I don’t have a house keeper.  I don’t have someone mow my lawn.  We have, however, started taking the cars to the shop for oil changes and car repairs.  The car dealer where I bought my car has free car washes so when I’m in town I run it through the car wash.  That said, most everything else, we do ourselves around here.  As for my business, I am a one woman show.  I create the designs, stitch them out, photograph them, post on social media and develop my own website.  When you get an e-mail from me, it is really me writing it.

1. First things first.  Faith, Family, Health, Business, Fun.  These are my priorities and in this order.
2. I’m usually up and dressed, ready to go by 6:30 AM.
3. I check my calendar the night before.
4. My calendar is my lifeline.  I’ve used this post-it note system for 2 years now and love it.  I’ve assigned the different colors of Post-it notes for different events.  I can move them around as needed on the largest calendar I could find.  Friends, this is a huge calendar.    Green is for business, Pink is special events, Yellow is part of my marketing plan, Orange is personal and family commitments.  My eyes can see exactly what needs to be done for the day and what is coming up.  When life changes, I just move the Post-it note around to a different date.  It’s the colors that keep me right on target.The calendar came from calendars.com and the post it notes fit it perfectly in the calendar grid blocks.  They are 1″ x 3″ and I got them at the Dollar Tree for just $1.Flower Notepad Set
5. I am a list maker and have way too many lists around the house at all times.Planner Pen Pockets  Daily Greatness journal is from dailygreatness.co
6. I also journal daily and write down my goals.  I think just writing things down and getting them out of my head is huge.
7. I don’t like shopping.  I used to, but don’t any longer.  I take my mom grocery shopping once or twice a week and I do my own grocery shopping at that time.Embroidery Hoop Pockets
8. My day-to-day schedule always varies somewhat, but most days what seems to work for me is that during the morning, I’m either visiting my mom or caring for my home. Just before lunch I try to go for a walk or go to the gym.  Then after lunch I spend my time working on Embroidery It.  On average I probably spend 4 to 5 hours working on Embroidery It.  Although some days it is 2 hours, some days, it is 10 hours.  🙂  I’m usually on my feet all morning but after lunch when working on Embroidery It, I sit down most of the afternoon.  And some days I take a 15 to 20 minute nap.
9. My meals are much simpler.  During the school year the kids are in college.  But when home, I have one daughter who is gluten intolerant, one daughter is dairy intolerant, and a husband who doesn’t want to eat carbs.  That has sucked the joy out of cooking for me.  So I’m quite happy to pick up a deli chicken and make a salad to go with it.  Also, when the kids are home, they help me cook, clean and mow the yard.
10. I watch some TV, but it is after supper.  I’m addicted to reality TV like the show Survivor or America’s Got Talent.  I never sit down and turn on the TV during the day.
11. I take care of my yard, but since moving to Michigan, I don’t really have a vegetable garden any longer.  (Sad face as I miss that).  I have wooded areas all around my house and the sunny area is grass.  We just don’t get enough warm sunny days that it isn’t worth it for me to put in a vegetable garden.  And believe me, I have tried.
12. I ALWAYS schedule doctor, dentist or other appointments first thing in the morning.  I hate waiting because a doctor is running late.
13. Finally, supper is usually around 7:00 and after supper and my kitchen is cleaned up, I’m tired.  My work day is over and it is family time.  I usually read at bedtime.  Lights out at 10:30 or 11:00.
14. Weekends are for church, family activities and time with friends.  Sometimes I work and hour or two on Embroidery It on the weekends.

So there you have it.  That is my general routine and how I get done what I do.  I will tell you, I have been considering hiring help for my business.  That would take it to a whole new level.  I kind of feel like I’ve grown it to the best it can be on my own.  I dream about what it would look like and be like if there was more than one of me.  Should I hire help?  I’m open to your suggestions and thoughts.

Friends, if you have a question, pleas ask and I’d be happy to answer it in a future “Ask Nancy.”

Make it a great day everyone,

Nancy

be creative daily and live life beautifully