Archive for the ‘Sanity Savers’


Mastering the Nightly Reflection

Mini #049

13 pages
Includes Nightly Reflection Checklist

Early on in the Toolbox we cover the importance of a Good Morning. Thousands of women have seen the Good Morning practice change the course of their days. The Nightly Reflection is the partner of the Good Morning. It provides a way to “wrap up each day and be done with it” as Emerson says.
.A Nightly Reflection allows a person to recap, release stress, and give thanks for the day while also preparing for the day ahead. However mastering the Nightly Reflection isn’t always easy because:

  • It is unfamiliar
  • Many of us are tired at the end of a day!

In this Mini we are going to work step-by-step through the process of Mastering the Nightly Reflection so you can confidently implement this practice to decrease to stress and find more joy in each day.

Back in the Groove

Mini #45

It was fun to develop this Mini because it emphasizes the part of the Make Today Matter Life System that is most important to me. When I created MTM, it was very important to me that it contained a contingency plan for when “life happens.” I wanted women to know that when life happens and you cannot login as often as you would like or the Toolbox Steps seem a million miles away—it’s okay. You are not behind. You are right where you should be and MTM is ready for you—no matter where you are.

This Mini is designed for two audiences in particular:
1.    Women who completed the Toolbox but worked quickly or did not fully implement each Step.
2.    Women who have been away from the program because life happened and are looking for some guidance to get “back in the groove.”

During the first seven days we review and focus on the 5 essential practices to build a solid daily foundation. During the second week we walk through how to make the most of your Make Today Matter Membership and use the site to match your goals and priority areas.

Soul Food and Affirmations

Mini-Makeover #43
Includes a printable “Soul Food Set” of images to use on your cards
Includes three printable card “blanks” (Brook’s art with lines for your favorite quotes)

In the MTM Toolbox you learn about Soul Food Cards. This Mini takes us on an adventure for the soul as we learn different ways to use affirmations to realize our full potential, create contentment, and make every day matter. During this Mini we will:

  • Build our Soul Food decks through three different exercises
  • Learn techniques for reaping the benefits of Soul Food and affirmations
  • Save our first Soul Food Card Swap (Optional) (In this swap be all make two cards and then send them in by mail. In return your receive two other member cards)

Mind & Body: The Caffeine Cure

Mini Makeover #40

Nine out of ten American’s drink some sort of caffeinated beverage each day, making it the United States’ number one “drug.” Recent research showed a direct correlation between rising caffeine consumption and the need for both prescribed and over-the-counter sleep aids

Just because the majority of us use caffeine doesn’t change its effect on the brain, central nervous system, and our energy level. In a nutshell, caffeine is manipulating the same channels in the brain as amphetamines and cocaine-but on a much milder basis. Understanding caffeine’s influence on stress, sleep, anxiety, mood, and energy is important. Especially since sleep and stress are directly correlated with many long-term health ailments and emotional health. If you consume caffeine and also suffer from anxiety or stress, depression or mood swings, or fatigue you might be surprised at caffeine’s influence.

In this Mini you’ll learn how caffeine affect mind and body, how to tell if you are addicted, what the “safe levels” of caffeine are, when to avoid caffeine to maximize energy and emotional health and how to create a realistic plan to curb or cut caffeine from your life.

Master Task List: Bedroom & Bath

Mini Makeover #037
Includes a master task list template for bedroom and bath

In the Make Today Matter Toolbox we learned how to use the Housework Helpers Worksheet to divide routine maintenance tasks into small components that could be realistically completed. The Master-Task-List series works step-by-step through making a Master Task List for a specific area of the home together.

For each room we explore you will receive a template of tasks to consider including on your routines list. There will be plenty of prompts to share cleaning tips, questions, and your own list items. By working through this process together, and focusing on one room at a time, we can ensure we have a comprehensive and complete list by the end of the Mini.

Master Task List: Kitchen

Mini #033
6 pages
Includes Kitchen Master Task Worksheet

In the Make Today Matter Toolbox we learned how to use the Housework Helpers Worksheet to divide routine maintenance tasks into small components that could be realistically completed. This Mini is the first of several in the Master-Task-List series where we will walk through making a Master Task List for a specific area of the home together.

For each room we explore you will receive a template of tasks to consider including on your routines list. There will be plenty of prompts to share cleaning tips, questions, and your own list items. By working through this process together, and focusing on one room at a time, we can ensure we have a comprehensive and complete list by the end of the Mini.

The 10 Faces of Procrastination

Mini Makeover #035
12 pages

Many people believe that procrastination is a result of poor planning or poor time management. Other people believe it is a lack of organizational skills. Some believe that people who procrastinate lack focus, ability or willpower. All of these beliefs are false.

Each of the above beliefs deals with the “external” – how procrastination “appears” on the surface, but none of these beliefs deal with the source or root cause of procrastination. The good news is that we are not born a procrastinator—we become one. And anything we learn, we can unlearn. Uncovering your Procrastination Personality is the first step in that process.

In this Mini Makeover you’ll complete a 50 question quiz to determine what procrastination personalities are present in your life. Then you will learn strategies to work with these personalities instead of against them and write a prescription for procrastination.

Journaling: An Idea Bank of Self Discovery

Mini-Makeover #28

You never know what you will learn till you start writing. Then you discover truths you never knewjournal.gif existed. Anita Brookner

Throughout the ages journals have served as powerful tools for women to engage on a voyage of self-discovery, uncovering and defining purpose and meaning in their lives.. Journals offer a safe place for the soul to unwind. When I lived in the Pacific Northwest I taught a journaling workshop at University of Washington. In this Mini-Makeover I’ll share the basics for getting started in journaling and guide you through creating an “Idea Bank” of journal prompts to increase self-awareness and encourage self-discovery.

Mastering Meal Planning (multiple versions available)

Mini Number #023 - When cooking for one (or two)
While you receive the workbook all at once, it is recommended you spread out the exercises following the four-week outline in the workbook

Mini Number #024 - When cooking for three or more
While you receive the workbook all at once, it is recommended you spread out the exercises following the four-week outline in the workbook. (Includes my all new technique for getting the family on board with meal planning! Tested and proven in my home last month!)

As family members inquire “What’s for dinner?” meals can quickly become a source of stress. If we are working on personal health goals not having a prepared meal plan can be detrimental as we make last-minute decisions based on what we have on-hand. Whether we are cooking for 1 or 10 lack of preparation can also be costly as we opt for convenient solutions or do not plan menus to optimize what we have on hand.

A study done by PACE consulting titled revealed the average stay-at-home mother spends a little over 17 hours per week focused solely on meal preparation. The average full-time working mother spends around 10 hours (the difference is often that full-time working mothers are more likely to pick up carryout on the way home). Whether it is 10 hours or 20 hours—that is a lot of time to spend on meals-in fact that is a part time job as a chef!

This Mini-Makeover guides you step-by-step through easily preparing master menus and shopping lists so by the Mini’s end you will be prepared with a quick and easy meal system and never wonder “What’s for dinner?” again.

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Staying Centered

Mini #26

When we can’t access our inner resources, we come to the flawed conclusion that happiness and fulfillment come only from external events. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance

Have you ever built a snowman? You start with that little ball of packed snow and roll it around … and then all of a sudden it starts growing … and growing … and growing … faster and faster? This is what happens in our minds when we aren’t aware and/or present in the moment. What starts out as a little doubt or anxiety can roll into sadness and then depression. What starts out as a little frustration can roll into resentment and then anger.

Most of us have multiple thoughts in our minds. When we focus on the external they quickly gain momentum. When we aren’t living in the moment we rarely have positive thoughts that spiral with the same momentum. Instead, our positive experiences become a little sun that melts a bit of snow, but then the automatic negative thought process begins again, building and building and building. Often, the “source” of the snowball is one little external event—it doesn’t take much to start the process. In this Mini we explore how the mind works, how our thoughts work against us without awareness, and how stay centered in healthy thinking. Includes printable wallet card with “Staying Centered” tips.

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Operating the Errand Express

Mini Number #13

How many times have you arrived home only to realize something you intended to pick up or do was forgotten during the day? With packed schedules and filled minds, multitasking throughout the day is difficult at best.

Implementing the strategies in the Errand Express Mini can eliminate spinning your wheels, wasted time, endless family requests for “one little favor,” in addition to saving money, reducing stress, and allowing the focus needed to get the job done versus always feeling like something has been forgotten. This Mini includes step-by-step instructions for setting up the Errand Express in your home and tips and guidelines for getting the family on board.

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Value Cards: A Compass for Contentment

Mini Number #11

(I recommend completing the Discovering Your Personal Values Mini first).

Knowing our core values is the first step in building a life of contentment and joy. But how do we use these values to shape our lives? In this Mini I’ll show you how to add these core values to your Personal Power Deck, journal or your Catch-All Notebook and how to consult them regularly to ensure you are living your life “on purpose” in alignment with these key values. This Mini includes templates for cards and journal pages.

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Defining Decisions

Mini Number #008

In the midst of managing the home, preparing meals, working, appointments, obligations, and meeting commitments, decisions are often made quickly, with little time to think through repercussions. When life is overflowing, we often take the path of least resistance (or the first path that comes to mind) instead of making a decision based on the best long-term solution. Seemingly inconsequential decisions can create serious balance deficits that lead to feelings of anxiousness and stress.

Learning to be aware during the moment of decision is an important skill for regaining sanity and a more centered life. Every decision we make (or don’t make) leads us in a direction. It either leads us toward the life we desire or away from it. Our life is a reflection of the decisions we make.

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Emotional Energy Cards

Mini #006

This Mini focuses on restoring your emotional energy account and adding emotional energy cards to your Personal Power Deck. Includes card templates.

sample emotional energy card by brook noel

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Discovering Your Personal Values

Mini Number: #005

Have you ever felt there must be “something more” but been unable to identify what it is? Have you ever felt your life is a series of to-dos but that you aren’t really living? These feelings are often caused by a disconnection between actions and values. This Mini-Makeover will help you rediscover your personal values–not the values others would like you to have. You’ll work through a values worksheet to deduce your core values.

These core values act as a filter. In times of indecision, we can compare options to our guiding values to make a decision. Values are the seams which shape the fabric of our lives. Without defined values, we have torn seams where the unwanted can sneak in, and our energy can sneak out. Values allow us to advance confidently in a meaningful direction. Without them we will be blown around by the emotions, people, and external events of the day. Recommended for ALL LIFE AREAS.

Related Minis: Creating Value Cards for Your Personal Power Deck #11, Creating a Personal Vision Statement #018 (It is recommend to complete this Mini before working on Mini #018.)

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