There is nothing like a bit of accountability. A couple of concerned readers approached me this week to ask how my “duck project” is going and if I’m managing to stick to my strict schedule and get it all done.

Such is the hazard of publicly announcing one’s “bright ideas” without necessarily knowing if they’ll be followed through. (I feel a bit like a politician).

I would love to answer, “Yes. It’s all going swimmingly. I’ve managed to turn my chaos round on a dime.”

But that would be a big, fat porky. Truth is, I’m still just working on the schedule. Deciding what I want out of my week, never mind my life, takes time, and it’s not like I can press “pause” to figure it all out … children, bosses and bills don’t exactly allow for that. It’s been a conundrum just how to make the time to figure out how to make the time!

There have been improvements however. Of the timetable in place so far, I would say I’m at about 53 per cent efficiency. It has been a huge help to have things written down and a structure of how my week should ideally go… even if it falls off track. At least I know what I’ve missed.

The figure is still pretty depressing though.

It would be easy to get despondent at this stage and chuck it all in. Another one in the giant global pile of already neglected New Year’s resolutions.

It’s only when I’m reminded of my reasons for all this effort: creating a calmer environment and quality time with those I love, reducing stress for my health and sanity, making time for creative projects that give my heart happy butterflies, hopefully increasing longevity to see all these things through and maybe one day realise my potential, that I think, “Hell yeah, get me back in that saddle!”

Perhaps I should tattoo these things on my forehead for the days my resolution wavers (just not sure that would be a good look).

The BF once again came through with some stellar advice and support:

“It’s ok that you’ve not perfected it yet,” she said. “It shows you’re human.”

Yes, I am very human!

She also pointed out it would be OK even if I was to take six months to figure it out. (That’s a doable chunk of time considering I’m already over halfway in just three weeks.)

Her rationale: if I could learn something new or create a new positive habit in six months, every six months, and I live to the age of 85, I will have been able to master 90 new things. That’s awesome! I’m not sure I even have 90 things on my lifetime achievement to-do list — yet. And at least I’m starting with my priorities.

Who put all that pressure on to have it accomplished yesterday already?

Note to self: lifestyle shifting requires patience. Be a bit forgiving with myself. It will take time to figure out how to make time to make time.

Progress is an incremental process and perspective is a necessary tool for it… and so it seems are good friends, accountability buddies and support. Thank you for your help!

•Julia Pitt is a trained success coach and certified NLP practitioner on the team at Benedict Associates. For further information contact Julia on 705-7488, www.juliapittcoaching.com.