Your Perfect Day…

I am currently reading a financial book called The Smart Cookies’ Guide to Making More Dough. Yes, the ladies who were featured on Oprah, which by the way, I was unaware of until I started to read the book.

Anyway, I will do a full book review once I am done, but they had an interesting exercise that I wanted to share with you.

The idea is to close your eyes, imagine it’s a Friday morning a few years from now (2 to 5 years from now).  Now think about exactly how you’d want to spend the day, keeping in mind that it is a weekday.  The idea is to plan your perfect day, using the following questions…

(I will show you a glimpse of what my perfect day would be 5 years from now, my answers are in italics)

1. What time do you wake up, and how are you feeling as you greet the day?

I would wake up between 5:30-6am.  Giving myself enough time to get myself ready and start breakfast, before I wake up my husband and kids.

2. Where are you?  If you’re at home, what does it look like?

I am at home.  In an older, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home.  With my parents living either in the garage that they have converted into a home, or in a separate living space on our property.

3. Who is with you?

H is with me, at least 2 kids and foster children.

4. What kind of work are you doing? (if you have no idea what kind of work you’ll be doing or want to be doing, list the qualities you want to find in the work you do and the kind of work environment you want.)

I would be a stay-at-home-mom, foster parent and photographer.  This specific Friday, I would be staying at home, being a mom.

5. As you head out to face the day, how do you look?  What are you wearing?

I look put together.  Clean.  Happy.  Wearing something comfortable.

6. How do you get to work?

Well, since I stay at home, I won’t be going anywhere.  But I will probably drive a mini-van.  Better on gas than an SUV but can still fit everyone comfortably.

7. When you’re done with work, how will you spend you spare time and with whom?  What activities do you enjoy?

I would spend my time with my family.  Activities?  Photography, volunteering at my children’s school or somewhere in the community.  I will love to cook, bake, garden and read.

8. When is your evening like?

I would love to have a tradition that occurs every Friday.  Like we eat homemade pizza together, and then have a family movie night in the living room.  Curling up with blankets and popcorn.  Something that everyone can look forward to throughout the week.

9. When you go to bed that night, how are you feeling after spending the day doing exactly what you love?

I feel happy, content and truly blessed.

10. What are you most grateful for and what are you looking forward to as you go to sleep?

Most grateful that it’s the end of the week and that I get to sleep in because tomorrow, it’s SATURDAY!  Oh, and also grateful for a loving and supportive husband, my beautiful children and the fact I am so close, that I can care for my parents!

The point of this exercise was to get a snapshot of what you want your future to look like. I answered the questions myself first and then I asked them to H.  It really got him thinking of what he wants and what his dreams are.  You know men, sometimes they need a jump start!  Having a clear picture of what your perfect day would include allows you to think about some long-term goals that you want to achieve.  It helps you remember that sometimes going without now will help you reach those goals and really create your perfect day.

I would love to hear your perfect day! Feel free to answer the same questions in the comment section!!

1. What time do you wake up, and how are you feeling as you greet the day?
2. Where are you?  If you’re at home, what does it look like?
3. Who is with you?
4. What kind of work are you doing? (if you have no idea what kind of work you’ll be doing or want to be doing, list the qualities you want to find in the work you do and the kind of work environment you want.)
5. As you head out to face the day, how do you look?  What are you wearing?
6. How do you get to work?
7. When you’re done with work, how will you spend you spare time and with whom?  What activities do you enjoy?
8. When is your evening like?
9. When you go to bed that night, how are you feeling after spending the day doing exactly what you love?
10. What are you most grateful for and what are you looking forward to as you go to sleep?