A Beginner’s Guide To The Filofax: How To Plan Your Life, Kick Some Ass, And Make Magic… With Stationery!

A Beginner's Guide To The Filofax: How To Plan Your Life, Kick Some Ass, And Make Magic... With Stationery!

Oh, organisation. It’s a fetish. I love anything that helps me get things done more effectively, and as such, I’m a diehard Filofax nut. I wrote about my Filofax back in 2010, but ever since I posted an Instagram video of my rainbow pages fluttering (see below), I’ve had multiple requests for an update on how I “do” my Filofax.

If you’re not familiar, Filofax is a system that has been around for years. I remember my parents using them back in the 80s! Essentially, you choose a binder — in a colour and size which works for you — and then fill it with paper. It’s an enormously flexible system, which is why its popularity is so widespread and longstanding.

Most people use their Filofax in a fairly basic way: they pick a black organiser, fill it with white paper, plan their life in it, and move on. That’s great, but it is simply not my way. I cannot help but personalise, prettify, and pimp everything I get my hands on. That’s why my Filofax is a RAINBOW EXPLOSION. Anything can be made fun if you have the right resources… And that’s what I’m sharing with you today!

Full disclaimer: Filofax have sent me items in the past, which I appreciate. But I’m so keen on their system that I spend plenty of my own money on it! In fact, nothing in this post was gifted or sponsored. Hope this makes things super-clear!

A video posted by Gala Darling (@galadarling) on

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WHICH ORGANISER IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

The size of organiser you pick will dictate everything else: how portable your planner is, the size of paper you buy, and the way you use it. After all, the teeny ones are no good for mind-mapping, while the A5 will be terribly unwieldy if you’re using it for grocery lists at the supermarket.

After years of using the Personal size, I switched to the A5 planner this year, which I adore. It’s much bigger than the Personal, and I find it’s easier to write in simply because the pages are wider. I keep it open on my desk, but it’s not so enormous that it’s impossible to take it with you when you go elsewhere.

A Beginner's Guide To The Filofax: How To Plan Your Life, Kick Some Ass, And Make Magic... With Stationery!

The organiser I’m using is the A5 Original Organiser: it’s simple and beautiful, and bright as hell! Hunting down this neon pink colour was a bit of a mission. I first saw it in KaDeWe in Berlin, and fell in love, but like many consumerist love stories, decided I “didn’t need it”. Of course, once I got back to America, I became consumed with lust and spent hours combing the internet for it, because the colour was out of stock. I ended up buying it on Amazon.co.uk, but thank god, Filofax UK is selling them once again! (Sadly, the US site doesn’t even have neon pink listed.)

If I wasn’t rocking a neon pink Original, I’d probably go for the electric blue Finsbury ($103) or the hot pink Domino ($39). As you can see, there’s a style for every price-point. Just another reason to pledge my undying love to their glorious system!

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PAPER

Filofax offers a variety of paper to fill your organiser, but it’s not exactly what I’d call fun paper. The majority of their offerings are on plain white, and they have some pastel colours, but they’re not very dynamic.

I say, why go white when you can go rainbow?!

My Filofax is filled with rainbow inserts from Kiddy Qualia. Her store is — somewhat frustratingly — only open a few times a month. If you want to stock up on rainbow paper, you have to be strategic and place your orders when you can!

In terms of day-to-day scheduling, I still love Google Calendar for keeping appointments on track. It synchs with my phone, so I always have the details where I want them. But there’s nothing like making plans and to do lists on paper, and this is where the Filofax is so helpful.

A Beginner's Guide To The Filofax: How To Plan Your Life, Kick Some Ass, And Make Magic... With Stationery!
THE SET-UP

Here’s what inside my Filofax, aka “the guts”. I love how easy it is to change things out: since everything is held together with binder rings, it’s trivial to flick them open and reshuffle the contents whenever you please.

Every Filofax should contain a couple of ziplock pockets — they’re perfect for holding onto bits and bobs, flotsam and jetsam. The ziplock pocket in the front of my Filofax is filled with sequins… Just because I can!

Next, I have my editorial calendars, which are month-to-a-page by Kiddy Qualia. That having been said, the squares are too small for my purposes, so in 2015 I’ll be using this double page version.

Behind my editorial calendars you’ll find my week-to-a-page schedule. I try not to overload each day with things to do, and stick to 3 major tasks. It helps me from feeling totally overwhelmed. I always add a couple of loose pages between the weekly pages, because I make so many notes about other things that need to be done, or ideas I have!

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Then I have dividers which I use for containing particular projects. For example, all of the notes, to do lists, and ideas about my book are in there. The next tab holds all the jottings, dates and locations for upcoming events.

Lastly, I have about a million pre-made to do pages (also Kiddy Qualia). They have hearts all down the side. I love them, and I will probably never run out!

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EXTRA MAGIC

Dedicate a page to writing down your dreams Put your favourite photobooth strips into a clear envelope Create a miniature vision board on the front of each divider page!  Keep a gratitude page to add to whenever you’re feeling negative Organise all your plans — hotels, restaurants, must-sees and dos — for future holidays Write your goals on the first page of your planner Use washi tape to decorate certain pages  Go to an art supply store and buy stickers, puffy letters, and sparkly markers to make writing and planning more fun!  Create playlists  Plan blog posts  Document your favourite outfits 

There are so many ways to personalise your Filofax and make it your own. Go crazy! I’d love to see what you end up creating on the hashtag #filofaxmagic!

From one stationery addict to another,

Photos by the wonderful Janneke Storm.


Radical Self Love Bootcamp

Don’t forget, Radical Self Love Bootcamp is available now at a very special price ($147)! Class kicks off on the 12th of January, and I’ll help you to create a highly individualised, very personal radical self love lifestyle that fills you with joy. You’ll learn daily rituals that will elevate your existence, discover tools and techniques to help you deal with stress and overwhelm, and create your own shortcuts to joy. The pre-sale is only open until the 21st of December, and in January, the price will go up! (Don’t miss out! BOOTCAMP CHANGES LIVES FOREVER!)

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Blogcademy Online Is Coming… And Check Out Our Cyber Monday Special!

Blogcademy Online is coming!

What if we could bring The Blogcademy right into your living room? What if you could learn at your own pace, in your pyjamas, while cuddling with your favourite creature (human or otherwise)? What if you could learn all the essential skills to become an online badass… from bed?

I am so excited to tell you that since summer, this is exactly what we’ve been working on. If you have a keen eye, you might remember that in London, I was wearing a microphone… And that is because WE FILMED OUR WHOLE CLASS!

BLOGCADEMY ONLINE IS COMING!

We are absolutely beside ourselves with excitement to make Blogcademy available to you, wherever and whenever. There are so many fun details, and we’re sure you have lots of questions, so we’re holding a free livestream to give you all the goss!

CLICK HERE TO RSVP!

The livestream is happening today, Monday the 1st of December. Times are below!

Los Angeles: 2pm
New York: 5pm
London: 10pm
Melbourne: 9am (Tuesday)

Of course, we will also be showing you behind-the-scenes, sharing stories, and answering ANY burning questions you might have about blogging, business, staying inspired, getting motivated, and anything else. You can submit your questions ahead of time too, just type right onto the event page.

If you miss the broadcast, it’ll be recorded and I’ll share it here in a couple of days! We can’t wait to tell you all the juicy details! This is going to be SO AMAZING. We’re beyond excited!

Blogcademy Cyber Monday!


By the way, to celebrate Cyber Monday, all of our Home School modules are HALF PRICE! That brings them down to a paltry 10 bucks a pop. Our sale lasts 24 hours only, so don’t be slow… Just click on through and snap up the lessons you’re lusting after! The discount code is cyber.

“Blogcademy Home School is perfect for me, because I can take one module at a time to concentrate on and action the changes required as and when I need to, by referring back to the super useful worksheets and PDFs provided. My favourite is the Brand Audit module; I took an afternoon out to watch the video and complete the tasks. It’s completely revamped how I deal with my social media and interactions and growth has grown exponentially since taking this module! Blogcademy Home School isn’t just for baby bloggers; anyone making a living from having a presence online, no matter how seasoned, will benefit from stitching together a handful of modules to create their own tailored course.” — Sophie King

Home School is the perfect way to bolster your knowledge, and grow your business and blog in an afternoon! We’re so excited to bring you these miniature lessons to benefit your business… Especially at 50% off! ENJOY!

Love always,

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Carousel: Signs That You’re A Witch, And How Not To Die While Chasing Your Dreams!

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Hello from Sydney! We arrived on Monday, and spent a couple of days warming our bones on Bondi Beach, which was just about perfect. Last night was the Radical End-Of-Year Party, which was a huge success — I’ll be posting about it soon! This weekend, we teach The Blogcademy before heading off to Melbourne and Auckland to do the same. (Want a last minute ticket? We can squeeze you in!)

There has been a lot going on, so be sure to follow me on Instagram for colourful updates!

I can’t believe this is the second-to-last Carousel of the year! My goodness. I hope it keeps you busy…


How hillbilly reality TV got way too real. TLC cancelled Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, and this is why. It ain’t pretty.

On writing about racism. By the same author, a beautiful piece on kindness and his mother.

It’s easy to respond to a broken heart with a devastating comment, one that cuts so deeply because you know everything about the person to whom you’re speaking, including the exact thing to say to crush them. It’s easy to be a racist. Tapping into the darker recesses of your lizard brain in order to live a life unencumbered by self-examination or regard for others is simple because it’s reflexive, like throwing a punch, like stealing Monopoly money from the bank when your little sister isn’t looking. Conversely, waking up each day and devoting yourself to being kind, even and especially to people who are not kind to you, is actually incredibly difficult. It is arduous and deliberate work, and the doing of it will at times make you feel small and foolish. What’s more, in the end, it will on its own merits almost never yield a person awards or honors or riches.

The secret to success is bitchniess. A very clickbait-y title, for sure. But I don’t know if “bitchiness” is the secret to success. Maybe just “telling it straight”?

I love, love, love this: Molly Crabapple’s 14 rules for creative success in the Internet age. Read and learn.

Here’s a fantastic interview with photographer Clayton Cubitt.

Netflix is developing Lemony Snicket into a series! AHHHHH! Excitement!

Mystic Medusa’s ‘Dating The Zodiac’ series is hilarious. The comments just slay me. Here’s Dating The Zodiac: Scorpio. I sent this one to my (Scorpio) ex… It’s amazing! And here’s the Sagittarius version. I have a lot of Sag in my chart so this cracks me up!

Getting comfortable is the death of growth. Staying Is Settling: Why You Need To Move At Least 5 Times In Your Life.

OMG. What Your Zodiac Sign Says About Your Social Media Habits. I thought this was so, so funny… And spot-on!

I did an interview with Living From The Inside Out about manifesting, intuition, and dissolving the blocks that hold you back from your dream life.

Here’s a case for bringing back the residential hotel.

My amazing friend, stylist and interior decorator Tiffany Pratt, did a talk at Creative Mornings and it’s pretty damn great.

I got totally lost in the Britneyverse a few weeks ago. Did you know she basically has no legal rights? Miss American Dream and It’s Not Britney, Bitch.

13 signs you’re a witch! Shock! Horror!

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Millennials don’t own televisions. Well, millennial females don’t, anyway.

Words are like magnets. Here’s how Alex met the love of her life.

There’s a new prudery in feminism and I hate it.

I want no part in any feminism that takes, ‘We know what’s best for you,’ as its starting point.

Well, this is amazing: One Star Review. The best of the worst!

Veronica Varlow, persistent dream-chaser, wrote this one: How To Not Die While Going After Your Biggest Dream. She’s a goodie, that girl!

New York women draw their own boobs.

Here’s 30 famous women on overcoming their insecurities.

“Society paints this picture where you have to have the longest hair and the thinnest body and you can’t help but want to be that beautiful person you see on that picture. But then you have to start asking yourself the question — Is that realistic for you? I began to ask myself those questions: Who am I working out for? Who am I looking good for? When I look in the mirror who do I want to please? Do I want to please people or do I want to please Mary first? So I began to want to please myself first. I can’t please everybody. I can’t be the slimmest girl. Be the best you that you can be.” — Mary J. Blige

Inventing a Drybar for Meditation. Otherwise known as, a meditation studio that you can walk into feeling icky and walk out feeling uncluttered and amazing.

My beautiful magical babe, Paige Zaferiou, wrote The Sacred Anti-Depression Toolbox, and it’s gorgeous.

If you want to stop taking the Pill, here’s a step-by-step guide.

How do you create a clear brand and message when you love to do so many different things? (You can’t.)

The Laughing Medusa, aka Sarah, wrote a great piece called Adventures In Self-Love: Don’t Be Such A Drama Queen. She’s right: being a drama addict is the antithesis of loving yourself. Check out her tips to step away from the dramz!

It’s okay to tell your abortion story. Some women just don’t want to be pregnant.

13 year old boy comes out to his best friend, best friend melts the internet with cuteness.

Teach people how to treat you. How to write clear, loving policies for your business & life. Amen, Alex, amen.

Listening to sad music is depressing, but it’s also healthy and good for your mind.

Richard Branson on how to run two businesses at once.

Are you a love addict? Dr Drew and Jill Vermeire can tell you! There are also some tips on making a long-distance relationship work… Might be useful for some of you!

21 NYC Women Confess the Dumbest Thing They Spend Their Money On.

Wow. Someone invented a pill to make your farts smell like roses. Or chocolate!

 

I love this explanation from Beyonce about how perfection is the enemy, both in art and in our personal lives.

 

I can’t get enough of this video. So cute and funny!

 

Larry David, Madonna, and Ricky Gervais on The Marriage Ref. Weird and awesome!

Much love,

Images from Wildfox.

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Don’t Sit On Your Suitcase! Five Packing Tips From An International Playgirl

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Packing a suitcase seems to be part of my job description these days. Travelling the world is amazing, don’t get me wrong, but no matter how many times I do it, packing is a bit of a downer. Did I pack too much stuff? Is my suitcase too heavy? Did I forget something crucial? It’s maddening. I almost always lie awake the night before a flight, going over my suitcase’s contents in my head.

Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee you a good night’s sleep… But I can tell you my systems for making packing a little less painful!


MAKE A SPREADSHEET

Take it from a super-Virgo: this is how you do it (like Montell Jordan). This is really the only way to guarantee that you’ll never forget anything essential. About a week before you travel, create a spreadsheet. At the top, create different columns: carry-on, toiletries, clothing, etc., and then below each heading, write every single item you need to take. Even include the really obvious things like your wallet, passport, and any medication, because when you’re gathering everything up, it’s easy to forget something essential!

I keep my spreadsheet on my computer as a master list, and then go through and bold the items as I add them to my suitcase.

If you want super nerd points, print your spreadsheet, laminate it, and cross off the items with a whiteboard pen. Then reuse it next time. Ooooooh!

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How many shoes is too many shoes?

REALISTICALLY APPRAISE YOUR AGENDA

Think about what you’re going to be doing on this trip, and what you’re likely to need. Be smart about this. In my case, I’m staying on Bondi Beach in Sydney, so yes, a swimsuit is in order… But we only have two free days in Sydney, so one bikini will definitely get the job done!

Other things to consider:
If you’re going to walk a lot, take sneakers! (Cute ones, y’hear?)
BYO luxury whenever you can. Air travel especially can be a gruelling experience, and when you’re surrounded by hundreds of people, you’ll really appreciate your lavender-scented pink velvet eye mask, for example. (Yes, I have one.)
Always take clothes you can layer, and don’t forget a cozy cardigan! Even if you’re going somewhere hot and fabulous, planes and airports are notoriously chilly. Be prepared!

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VISUALISE YOUR OUTFITS

Think about what you’d like to bring, select those items, and then lay everything out on your bed. Put skirts/pants in a row along the bottom and tops in a row above them. This helps you to visualise outfits. Now, here’s the crucial bit: if a top doesn’t coordinate with at least 3/4 of the skirts or pants, don’t bring it!

This is another one of those moments where having a sort of “uniform” — and also wearing the same colours over and over again — really comes in handy. For example, practically everything in my suitcase is either black, white, grey, royal blue, or shocking pink. It all goes together, which makes my life about a hundred times easier.

If you find yourself choosing items you haven’t worn in a while, take a moment to try them on before you pack them. I did this with the dresses I intended on packing for my Australia/NZ trip, and I ended up leaving half of them at home! Sometimes you don’t remember why something has been languishing in the back of your closet until you try it on! I’m glad I left those dresses at home, because I know I wouldn’t have worn them.

GET PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE

Once you’ve whittled down the items, keep them laid out on your bed and take a couple of photos on your phone. This way, you can quickly glance at the photo(s) and know what you have, and what your options are.

This also prevents you from having late-night panic attacks the night before you go. Don’t lie in bed sweating, and don’t be tempted to rustle through your meticulously packed suitcase: simply have a look at the photos you already took. (Damn, you’re good.)

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Now this is a woman who has never used a packing cube…

PACKING CUBES, MAMA

Packing cubes are definitely a case of function over form. They are not sexy, and in fact, are very unattractive and utilitarian. But they work, and that’s all that matters to me!

The point of a packing cube is to contain like items. I put all my skirts into one cube, my shirts into another, and my underwear into a third. It makes finding things a cinch, and it helps to keep your suitcase organised. I consider them to be essential for any trip that lasts longer than a week!

Much love,

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Q&A: Surviving A Job You Hate, Dealing With Gossip, Staying Motivated, And More!

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Tonight, Shauna and I fly out to Sydney, but not before spending the day in Los Angeles! I’m amped about eating fresh salads, drinking green juice, and doing a bit of shopping before we drag our tired cabooses onto the plane. It’s such a fun city!

Anyhoo, a couple of weeks ago, I put out an open call on Facebook for questions I could answer on my blog. Below you’ll see a nice variety of topics, ranging from work to entrepreneurship to gossip to creativity. I love doing these posts!

“How do you make a job you hate but can’t afford to leave (for the time being anyway) suck just a little bit less?” — Alison Benbough

Keep your eye on the prize. Remind yourself regularly why you are staying there: is it so you can save enough money to launch your own business? Are you working to become debt-free? Knowing why you’re doing something is essential to staying motivated and keeping your spirits up. There’s nothing worse than feeling hopeless or doing something that feels pointless.

If you don’t know what you want to do with your life, generally, spend time trying new things. Experiment, play, volunteer. I firmly believe that we discover our passions by doing, not by thinking.

Work to develop your life outside of your job. Your 9-5 might be a shitfest, but you can still enjoy your life. Have weekly dinner dates with your friends, work on your blog, paint before you go to bed, work your way through everything your favourite author has ever written. Don’t let your job — and your lack of love for it — consume you.

Make your workspace feel special. Decorate your cubicle with things that make you smile. Ask if you can work from home one day a week. Figure out how to have fun with your workmates.

Be grateful that you have work, a roof over your head, enough food on the table. That is an enormous blessing.

Know when you want to leave. Set yourself a deadline, and start getting your ducks in a row. You deserve to be doing work that you enjoy. We all do!

“How do you go from blogging as a hobby to blogging professionally (making it your job). I know for you it was a case of fuck it I’m doing this but how would you suggest going from one to another without losing an income?” — Amy Bambrick

KEEP YOUR DAY JOB. I would never suggest anyone do what I did, which was start a blog with no back-up plan. I am a born risk-taker and have done many foolish things. I was extremely fortunate that this worked for me, but other people may not be so lucky. Keep working at your day job while you blog in your spare time, and continue doing so until you are making enough money from your blog to match your salary. And check out Blogcademy Home School for plenty of short videos on how to make some blog money, honey!

“How do you deal with BS gossip from others in the most lady-like fashion to prove it is not true what they say?” — Mani C. Price

Gotta go with A Course In Miracles on this one. Lesson 153: In my defenselessness my safety lies. When we’re attacked by gossip, we feel that to stay quiet is weakness, and to hit back is strength. Actually, the opposite is true. When you attempt to defend yourself, you’re showing others that you’ve been hurt and that you are vulnerable. When we refuse to defend ourselves, we find freedom from fear. We don’t feed the cycle. And we demonstrate, both to ourselves and others, that we don’t need to defend ourselves — because we’re innocent. See those attacks as calls for love, and respond with love. (Here’s more info on Lesson 153.)

Another thing to keep in mind is that you will never change most people’s minds, simply because the majority of us are all so stubborn and full of pride that we will never admit we could have been wrong. The best thing to do is go on and live your life, and forget all about them. Living well is the best revenge!

“Hi Gala – I’m feeling really creative just now and want to do something but everytime I sit down to do something, my mind goes blank have you got any ideas for getting inspiration please? What do you do when you’re stuck in a rut and get fed up?” — Chloe McKay

I think our creativity is easily stifled by our need for perfection. When we place unrealistically high expectations on ourselves, there’s no sense of fun or play. That really sucks the joy out of it, and perpetuates that feeling of being blocked and uninspired.

My recommendation is to put aside your expectations, and instead, embrace discovery, making a mess, and see art as something relaxing that you do for fun. Hopefully that will help open up your creative impulses! I also recommend Radical Self Love Bible School: it’s a fantastic way to loosen up around your art, and also create something beautiful which has meaning.

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“I’ve been sick and physically unable to do much the last few weeks, what are some good tips to bounce back after having to take a break from your business?” — Mary Rose

I have to defer to Grace Quantock for this one! She is an amazing, powerful witch babe from Wales, who is also a trail-blazing wellness provocateur. I asked her if she had a post on this very subject, and she wrote it just for you! Check out Chronic Illness Q & A: 7 Steps To Your Business Comeback.

“I need help eating healthy and working out while I work at my job. What do you eat and what do you do to work out?” — Dawn Dubriel

They say that abs are made in the kitchen, and it’s true. Even if you’re working out like mad, if you eat a lot of rubbish, you’ll never see the results you’re looking for. So it all starts with eating the right food.

I eat in an extremely regimented, routine manner. Oatmeal and hard-boiled eggs, grilled salmon or chicken, dark green salads, green apples with almond butter, vegetables, and soup are my everyday fuel. I like eating to a schedule, and I don’t mind eating the same thing over and over again. But I also don’t believe in living a horrible life, so I treat myself, too. One of my favourite things right now is an Earl Grey Creme Latte from Teavana. OMG.

I eat in this regimented way because when I’m not organised and my pantry and fridge are empty, I go completely nuts and end up eating half a container of Ben & Jerry’s every night. (This is not an exaggeration.) Having a good breakfast inspires me to have a healthy lunch, and a good dinner. I’m a sugar fiend, but the less I eat of it, the less I want it… I try not to go too crazy on sweet things in general. (It doesn’t always work.)

I work out 5 times a week: 2 sessions of Pilates and 3 sessions of weight-training. I love it (and I love my trainers) but it ain’t cheap. If you want to try something inexpensive, Kayla Itsines has crazy good workout guides that gives amazing results. Same goes for Tone It Up (I adore Karena and Katrina). The Nike Training Club app is free! I also have a subscription to Yogaglo and I do a couple of sessions a week at home. Nothing crazy, just good stretching and hip-opening stuff. Very satisfying (and $19 a month, I think).

The key is to figure out what motivates you. I am motivated — unfortunately — by having someone waiting for me at the gym and knowing that if I cancel, I still have to pay for the session. Nothing else really sticks. You also have to find something that is fun for you. I love the bad-assery of weight-training and the graceful challenge that I get from Pilates. But I also love dancing around my house. So, find something you really like! As I said earlier, we find what we enjoy by doing, not thinking, so take some classes and see what you like!

“What advice do you have about writing the about section on a product business website?” — Angel London

Check out this Blogcademy Home School video on writing about pages! I got you covered, girl!

“I can tell you are someone who is motivated and driven. How do you keep your long term goals in sight and stay on track? How do you keep yourself from saving things for the last minute?” — Surabhi Jain

You might be surprised to hear this, but I often leave things until the last minute! This is just human nature. Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion. Put differently, the length of time you give yourself to complete a task is the length of time it will take. BOOM! Mind blown!

If you can’t remember your goals, you have too many. Narrow them down. Get rid of half. Focus on the stuff that really thrills you. I keep myself organised with my Filofax, and make daily to-do lists. The top 3 items on the list are the most important, aka, if I only complete these 3 things today, it will be a good day, productivity-wise. Everything else is a “would be nice to complete”.

It’s okay to leave things to the last minute as long as they get done and you feel proud of the end result. But you can trick yourself into doing things earlier by cutting your deadlines in half, making yourself publicly accountable, or giving yourself rewards. That having been said, if there’s something on your list that you keep putting off, it’s time to ask yourself why and reappraise the situation. If it doesn’t light you up anymore, move on to something that does!

“Do you have a favorite beverage? (Alcoholic or otherwise.)” — Meredith Schneider

If ginger beer is on the menu, I will always order it. My second choice would be ginger ale. (I’m a fan of ginger, clearly.) I’m obsessed with hot chocolate (the thicker and chocolatier the better) chai, and hibiscus iced tea. As for alcohol, the only thing I really enjoy drinking is cider. But I probably have between 10 and 15 alcoholic drinks a year. It’s just not my thing!

“What are the most important things when it comes to your writing? What is your writing process? Do you work strictly on the computer or do you work off paper as well? How do you convince yourself that what you are writing is going to “connect” with your readers? Where do you get your ideas for your products?” — Ashley Elizabeth Brooke Peek

That’s a lot of questions! The most important thing when it comes to my writing is that it excites me. When I don’t feel it, my readers don’t either, and why waste our (collective) time? (I wrote about my process here!)

I do all of my actual writing on my computer. I make notes and plan out ideas or products on paper. I also keep a paper editorial calendar. It’s more satisfying that way, and I like to keep it in front of me.

As for connecting with my readers, after eight years of writing every day, I have a pretty clear picture of you in my head. Plus, I feel very connected to you guys; I feel like we’re always talking. Writing for you has become second nature.

My product ideas come from the feedback you give me. When I notice a lot of you struggling with the same thing, I create things that will help you with that problem. It’s really the only way to do it — reverse-engineer what you’re making. There’s no point in creating something that no one needs!

“Where would your second choice be to live anywhere in the world and why?” — Denise Wine

Oh, good question! Somewhere in California, near the ocean. I can’t get enough of the glorious weather or the incredible fresh food. I adore the vibrancy of NYC, but I don’t think I’ll live there forever.

Love always,


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SYDNEY BABES! Don’t forget that the Radical End-Of-Year Party is this week! I’ll be on stage with lovely ladies, and we’ll be showing you how to appreciate and release 2014, and how to manifest magic in 2015. Plus, we get to hang out, take photos, and be ridiculous together! Talk about an amazing way to end the year. I can’t wait to see you there! Click here for the details!

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