We were lucky to catch up with Mona Raglow recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mona, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

Many people think “getting more done” will lead to success. I believe it is more about the quality of what we do, rather than how much we cross off our to-do lists. One of my past clients, I’ll just call “M”. At our 1sts in-person appointment, I asked her to write down everything that was on her mental to-do list. This was an emotionally painful process for her…she was mentally carrying items from so long ago, or to-do’s that belonged to other people. Writing the list was mentally draining for her.

After completing the list, I had her prioritize using a simple A, B, C designation. “A” list items being critical to her personal and professional success/growth. “B” items being things that would help her move forward, but were not critical. And “C” items being things she wanted to do, but wouldn’t make a difference if she did or didn’t get them done. After reviewing the list with her, we went through a process that would help her keep these items listed, but she agreed needed to be put on the far back burner before she could move forward with her A items. I suggested burning the “C” list, as a message to herself that she didn’t need to carry that weight.

This seems so basic and elementary, yet I seldom see it being practiced. The mental weight we carry of unimportant/not urgent items can keep us from moving forward with our “A” list.

Mona, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Even as a kid, I was addicted to pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. I love playing school, and of course I was always the teacher! My “students” had to write things down on their big-chief tablet.

Decades later I was introduced to the Franklin Planner and was addicted. I spent this time working with educators all across the US teaching goal setting, time management and organizational systems.

Later I coached clients to help them focus on what was most important in their life. It was then that I developed my own planner, called the monaplanner©, which is designed to maximize brain function, all while getting the right things done at the right time. It’s an easy to implement, simple to use paper planner, that helps deliver big results!

I have monaplanner© clients all over the US, and other counties.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I love partnering with other professionals in the ADD/ADHD field, as their clients are most in need of an easy to implement, simple to use planner.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I’m a big follower of many of the Franklin Covey teachings. Dr. Covey first wrote The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People in 1989, and has been a perennial best seller for decades. The principles in the book are universal and have even been adapted to elementary, middle and high school students (called The Leader in Me). As a Delivery Consultant for this program, I am regularly reminded of all 7 habits, with habits 2, 3 and 5 being the ones I work to improve in the most.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.monaplanner.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monaplanner/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monaraglow/

Image Credits
Some photos by Rye Studio