Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Monday, December 30, 2019
Ray Keating’s Authors and Entrepreneurs Podcast, Episode 43: Time, Space ... and Getting Things Done
In this episode, Ray Keating talks about the importance of managing time and space for authors, entrepreneurs and author-entrepreneurs. He stresses finding the right tool for time management.
Tune in at
Get the Right Planner for 2020 - Perhaps THE PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS PLANNER 2020?
This is a photo of my personal planner used in 2019. It was my first published planner – The Realistic Optimist TO DO List & Calendar. It uses my TO DO List Solution system, and as you can see, it got plenty of work throughout the year. It also helped me to have my most productive year ever as a writer. I hope you’ll find value in one of the TO DO List Solution planners in 2020.
Choose Your TO DO List Solution 2020 Planner from Ray Keating...
If you love the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, then enjoy character quotes, book excerpts and thoughts from Ray Keating each day with THE PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS PLANNER 2020: THE TO DO LIST SOLUTION. Go to https://www.amazon.com/dp/1672814324
THE LUTHERAN PLANNER 2020: THE TO DO LIST SOLUTION combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done – using monthly, weekly and daily to-do lists – with encouragement, inspiration and consolation from the Christian faith. Go to https://www.amazon.com/dp/1678626465
THE DISNEY PLANNER 2020: THE TO DO LIST SOLUTION combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, and more. Go to https://www.amazon.com/dp/1698855494
Friday, December 27, 2019
“The Lutheran Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution” Helps With Getting Organized, While Keeping Proper Perspective
Daily Reflections from Holy Scripture and Christian ThinkersProvide Encouragement, Inspiration and Consolation from the Christian Faith
Long Island, NY – We all need to get things done each day, and plan our coming week, month or year. At the same time, each of us needs to keep such matters in proper perspective. The Lutheran Planner 2020: The To Do List Solution is meant to be a tool in this ongoing endeavor. And, no, you don't have to be a Lutheran to use this planner!
Get organized and set goals using Ray Keating’s TO DO List Solution, while enjoying and reflecting upon quotes from Holy Scripture, Church fathers, and other Christian thinkers. In addition, feasts, festivals and commemorations throughout the Church year are marked.
The Lutheran Planner 2020: The To Do List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done – using monthly, weekly and daily to-do lists – with encouragement, inspiration and consolation from the Christian faith.
The Lutheran Planner 2020: The To Do List Solution is available from Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1678626465. And signed books are on sale at RayKeatingOnline.com.
Ray Keating explains: “We all seem to be busy these days no matter what happens to be our calling or vocation in life. As a Christian – of the Lutheran variety – I try to stay on track with daily devotional readings and prayer. Unfortunately, I often falter along the way. And I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one who does so.” He continues, “At the same time, there is the challenge to stay on schedule with the rest of life, including family matters, remembering tasks and times, maintaining course on projects, and setting, working toward and achieving goals.”
Keating notes, “My TO DO List system has helped tremendously in getting organized, and it occurred to me that bringing in quotes and thoughts from Holy Scripture and assorted Christian writers and thinkers would help my devotional and prayer life as well. As a result, here is The Lutheran Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution.”
He adds, “Also, the act of using ‘The TO DO List Solution’ requires reflection on goals; forces prioritization; allows for being more realistic about time management; and generates serious thought on howto best get things done.”
Keating concludes, “Lutheran or not, I hope the quotes from Holy Scripture and from various Christian thinkers will give a boost to your daily devotional life, while at the same time, the TO DO List Solution will help you get things done, whether at home, at work or at church.”
The Lutheran Planner 2020: The To Do List Solution is one of three TO DO List Solution 2020 planners from Ray Keating. The others are The Disney Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution and The Pastor Stephen Grant Novels Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution.
Review copies, and author interviews and appearances are available upon request.
Contact: Ray Keating
Phone: 631-909-1122
Twitter: @KeatingNovels
RayKeatingOnline.com
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Kindle Sale - 30% Off All of the Pastor Stephen Grant Thrillers & Mysteries
Sale on Kindle Editions of Pastor Stephen Grant Thrillers and Mysteries, and Other Ray Keating Books Through the Actual 12 Days of Christmas! Get 30% Off Until January 6th!
The latest adventure from Ray Keating is a high-octane, torn-from-the headlines thriller titled THE TRAITOR: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL. From pro-freedom protests in Hong Kong to a theft at the CIA to a French monastery, this 12thbook in the Pastor Stephen Grant series packs a wallop in terms of action, intrigue, faith, consequences and justice.
Keating’s previous Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries are DEEP ROUGH (2019), SHIFTING SANDS (2018), HEROES AND VILLAINS (2018), REAGAN COUNTRY (2018), LIONHEARTS (2017), WINE INTO WATER (2016), MURDERER’S ROW (2015), THE RIVER (2014), AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (2012), ROOT OF ALL EVIL? (2012), and WARRIOR MONK (Second Edition 2019).
Recent thumbs-up for THE TRAITOR include...
"Author Ray Keating delivers a timely, high-octane, and well-penned thriller with his latest novel, The Traitor. The inimitable Pastor Stephen Grant must unexpectedly navigate the shadowy waters of international espionage to keep his country safe and strong. With a gripping plot that feels torn from last week's headlines, Keating knows how to capture his readers immediately and never let go. Pastor Grant continues to surprise as a character and the dialogue hums with authenticity, making the newest Pastor Stephen Grant Novel another hit in this ever-growing series." - Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½
“Another riveting story by Ray Keating... And here’s a book with chocolate! Excellent story and adventure, and once again, great theology.” – 5-star Amazon review
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Sale on Signed Pastor Stephen Grant Thrillers and Mysteries Extended Through the 12 Days of Christmas! Get 19% Off by Using the “Christmas19” Coupon Code at Checkout
The latest adventure from Ray Keating is a high-octane, torn-from-the headlines thriller titled THE TRAITOR: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL. From pro-freedom protests in Hong Kong to a theft at the CIA to a French monastery, this 12th book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series packs a wallop in terms of action, intrigue, faith, consequences and justice.
Keating’s previous Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries are DEEP ROUGH (2019), SHIFTING SANDS (2018), HEROES AND VILLAINS (2018), REAGAN COUNTRY (2018), LIONHEARTS (2017), WINE INTO WATER (2016), MURDERER’S ROW (2015), THE RIVER (2014), AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (2012), ROOT OF ALL EVIL? (2012), and WARRIOR MONK (Second Edition 2019).
Recent thumbs-up for THE TRAITOR include...
"Author Ray Keating delivers a timely, high-octane, and well-penned thriller with his latest novel, The Traitor. The inimitable Pastor Stephen Grant must unexpectedly navigate the shadowy waters of international espionage to keep his country safe and strong. With a gripping plot that feels torn from last week's headlines, Keating knows how to capture his readers immediately and never let go. Pastor Grant continues to surprise as a character and the dialogue hums with authenticity, making the newest Pastor Stephen Grant Novel another hit in this ever-growing series." - Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½
“Another riveting story by Ray Keating... And here’s a book with chocolate! Excellent story and adventure, and once again, great theology.” – 5-star Amazon review
Take advantage of this great sale at www.raykeatingonline.com
Monday, December 16, 2019
18 Great Christmas Gift Ideas: Books from and by Ray Keating
Are you still looking for ideal Christmas gifts for the readers in your life? Check out the many books by Ray Keating!
1. Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel
WARRIOR MONK revolves around a former CIA assassin, Stephen Grant, who has lived a far different, relatively quiet life as a parish pastor in recent years. However, a shooting at his church, a historic papal proposal, and threats to the Pope's life mean that Grant's former and current lives collide. Grant must tap the varied skills learned as a government agent, a theologian and a pastor not only to protect the Pope, but also to feel his way through a minefield of personal challenges.
2. Root of All Evil? A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel
Do God, politics and money mix? In ROOT OF ALL EVIL? A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating, the combination can turn out quite deadly. Keating introduced readers to Stephen Grant, a former CIA operative and current parish pastor, in the fun and highly praised WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL. Now, Grant is back in ROOT OF ALL EVIL? It’s a breathtaking thriller involving drug traffickers, politicians, the CIA and FBI, a shadowy foreign regime, the Church, and money. Charity, envy and greed are on display. Throughout, action runs high. Find a unique character and story, and lose yourself in ROOT OF ALL EVIL? A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL.
3. An Advent for Religious Liberty: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel
Advent and Christmas approach. It’s supposed to be a special season for Christians. But it’s different this time in New York City. In AN ADVENT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL, religious liberty is under assault. The Catholic Church has been called a “hate group.” And it’s the newly elected mayor of New York City who has set off this religious and political firestorm. Some people react with prayer – others with violence and murder. Stephen Grant, former CIA operative turned pastor, faces deadly challenges during what becomes known as “An Advent for Religious Liberty.” Grant works with the Cardinal who leads the Archdiocese of New York, the FBI, current friends, and former CIA colleagues to fight for religious liberty, and against dangers both spiritual and physical.
4. The River: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel
Some refer to Las Vegas as Sin City. But the sins being committed in THE RIVER are not what one might typically expect. Rather, it’s about murder. Stephen Grant once used lethal skills for the Navy SEALs and the CIA. Now, years later, he’s a pastor. How does this man of action and faith react when his wife is kidnapped, a deep mystery must be untangled, and both allies and suspects from his CIA days arrive on the scene? How far can Grant go – or will he go – to save the woman he loves? Will he seek justice or revenge, and can he tell the difference any longer? Once again, in THE RIVER, Keating wields his formidable story-telling skills by serving up a fast-paced adventure, rich characters, faith, humor, big ideas, and murder.
5. Murderer’s Row: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel
How do rescuing a Christian family from the clutches of Islamic terrorists, minor league baseball in New York, a string of grisly murders, sordid politics, and a pastor, who once was a Navy SEAL and CIA operative, tie together? Find out in MURDERER’S ROW: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating.
6. Wine Into Water: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel
Blood, wine, sin, justice and forgiveness… Who knew the wine business could be so sordid and violent? That’s what happens when it's infiltrated by counterfeiters. A pastor, once a Navy SEAL and CIA operative, is pulled into action to help unravel a mystery involving fake wine, murder and revenge. Stephen Grant is called to take on evil, while staying rooted in his life as a pastor.
7. Lionhearts: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel
In LIONHEARTS: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating, war has arrived on American soil, with Islamic terrorists using new tactics. Few are safe, including Christians, politicians, and the media. Pastor Stephen Grant taps into his past with the Navy SEALS and the CIA to help wage a war of flesh and blood, ideas, history, and beliefs. This is about defending both the U.S. and Christianity. With action in churches and homes, and on media and political fronts, LIONHEARTS: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL ranks as a breathtaking, edge-of-your-seat thriller. Tragedy, justice, faith, love, friendship, violence, death and loss, hatred, courage, murder, commitment and patriotism are brought to life for the reader. As with his earlier novels, Keating also presents fascinating characters and relationships, humor, and crisp dialogue.
8. Reagan Country: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel
Could President Ronald Reagan’s influence reach into the former “evil empire”? The media refers to a businessman on the rise as “Russia’s Reagan.” Unfortunately, others seek a return to the old ways, longing for Russia’s former “greatness.” The dispute becomes deadly. Conflict stretches from the Reagan Presidential Library in California to the White House to a Russian Orthodox monastery to the Kremlin. Stephen Grant, pastor at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church on Long Island, a former Navy SEAL and onetime CIA operative, stands at the center of the tumult. He is strengthened by his faith, wife, friends, and former CIA colleagues, and is armed with a Glock and Holy Scripture. Grant is the kind of guy that Reagan would have appreciated.
9. Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story
As a onetime Navy SEAL, a former CIA operative and a pastor, many people call Stephen Grant a hero. At various times defending the Christian Church and the United States over the years, he has journeyed across the nation and around the world. But now Grant finds himself in an entirely unfamiliar setting – a comic book, science fiction and fantasy convention. But he still joins forces with a unique set of heroes in an attempt to foil a villainous plot against one of the all-time great comic book writers and artists.
10. Shifting Sands: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story
SHIFTING SANDS is the second page-turning short story by award-winning novelist Ray Keating, and the tenth thriller/mystery featuring Pastor Stephen Grant. Beach volleyball is about fun, sun and sand. But when a big-time tournament arrives on a pier in New York City, danger and international intrigue are added to the mix. Stephen Grant, a former Navy SEAL, onetime CIA operative, and current pastor, is on the scene with his wife, friends and former CIA colleagues. While battles on the volleyball court play out, deadly struggles between good and evil are engaged on and off the sand. Keating weaves together a fascinating tale of action, faith, humor, terrorism, duty, friendship, conflict, and beach volleyball.
11. Deep Rough: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel
One man faces challenges as a pastor in China. His son has become a breakout phenom in the world of professional golf. The Chinese government is displeased with both, and their lives are in danger. Stephen Grant – a onetime Navy SEAL, former CIA operative and current pastor – has a history with the communist Chinese, while also claiming a pretty solid golf game. His unique experience and skills unexpectedly put him alongside old friends; at some of golf’s biggest tournaments as a caddy and bodyguard; and in the middle of an international struggle over Christian persecution, a mission of revenge, and a battle between good and evil.
12. The Traitor: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel
Stephen Grant – former Navy SEAL, onetime CIA operative and current pastor – looks forward to a time of prayer and reflection during a retreat at a monastery in Europe. But when he stumbles upon an infamous CIA traitor in a small village, Grant’s plans change dramatically. While a debate rages over government secrets and the intelligence community, a deadly race for survival is underway. From a pro-democracy demonstration in Hong Kong to the CIA’s headquarters in Langley to a monastery in France, the action and intrigue never let up. Ray Keating said, “I’m excited about this novel. It’s jam-packed with action, and serves up fascinating places, unique characters, and some interesting discussions. I hope readers enjoy it!”
13. Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know
Tapping into his experiences as an economist, policy analyst, newspaper and online columnist, entrepreneur, and college professor, who taught MBA courses on international business and entrepreneurship, Ray Keating explores and explains in straightforward fashion 10 key points or areas that everyone - from entrepreneurs and executives to students and employees to politicians and taxpayers - needs to understand about how trade works and how free trade generates benefits for people throughout the nation, around the world, and across income levels.
14. The Pastor Stephen Grant Novels Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution
If you enjoy the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, then why not get a touch of these books every day of the year? Gain inspiration, get organized and set goals using Ray Keating’s TO DO List Solution, while enjoying quotes from the books, including character quotes and small excerpts, and facts about and related to these thrillers and mysteries featuring Stephen Grant – the former Navy SEAL, onetime CIA operative, and current pastor. THE PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS PLANNER 2020: THE TO DO LIST SOLUTION combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for fans of the Pastor Stephen Grant page-turners.
15. The Disney Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution
If you love all things Disney, then why not get a touch of Disney each day of the year with THE DISNEY PLANNER 2020: THE TO DO LIST SOLUTION? Gain inspiration, get organized and set goals using Ray Keating’s TO DO List Solution, while enjoying quotes from Walt Disney, other Disney leaders, experts, fans, and hundreds of characters, along with facts about theme parks, movies and much more. THE DISNEY PLANNER 2020: THE TO DO LIST SOLUTION combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, and more.
16. The Lutheran Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution– Pre-Order
We all need to get things done each day, and plan our coming week, month or year. At the same time, each of us needs to keep a proper perspective on such matters. THE LUTHERAN PLANNER 2020: THE TO DO LIST SOLUTION is meant to be a tool for each of us in this ongoing endeavor. And, no, you don't have to be a Lutheran to use this planner! Gain inspiration and insights, get organized and set goals using Ray Keating’s TO DO List Solution, while enjoying and reflecting upon quotes from Holy Scripture, Church fathers, and assorted insights from the Lutheran Reformation to today. THE LUTHERAN PLANNER 2020: THE TO DO LIST SOLUTION combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and enjoyment from our Christian faith.
17. "Chuck" vs. the Business World: Business Tips on TV
“CHUCK” VS. THE BUSINESS WORLD: BUSINESS TIPS ON TV by Ray Keating finds career advice, and lessons on managing or owning a business in a fun, fascinating and unexpected place, that is, in the hit television show “Chuck.” Keating shows that TV spies and nerds can provide insights and guidelines on managing workers, customer relations, leadership, technology, hiring and firing people, and balancing work and personal life. Larry Kudlow, host of CNBC’s “The Kudlow Report,” says, “Ray Keating has taken the very funny television series ‘Chuck,’ and derived some valuable lessons and insights for your career and business.”
18. A Discussion Guide for Ray Keating's Warrior Monk
WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL is the story of a pastor who years ago was a Navy SEAL and then a CIA operative. He now must use his experience with the CIA and as a theologian to meet a new, deadly challenge. But there’s more to this book than just being an exciting thriller. A host of moral, ethical and religious topics are touched on as well. This guide is meant for group or individual study and reflection on topics like terrorism, war, prayer, public life and the Church, sex and marriage, going to church, ecumenism, and church architecture.
Find Out More about THE PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS PLANNER 2020 - Read the Book's Introduction by Ray Keating Now for Free!
Introduction to The Pastor Stephen Grant Novels Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating
Pastor Stephen Grant is a punctual, get-things-done kind of guy. It comes naturally to Grant, but it was truly ingrained in him during his time as a Navy SEAL and at the CIA.
For example, in Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel, we read:
Stephen left the hospital with more than enough time to arrive at the home of Jennifer and Ted Brees. Fashionably late was not an option for the ever-punctual pastor. To Grant, an invitation for 6:30 meant arriving at 6:30.
And later on, we read about Grant and church council meetings:
Given his penchant – or obsession – with time, council meetings often were a test for Grant. With his SEAL and CIA experience, he knew the importance of being patient. His past work often required the discipline to remain quiet, even to not move, for hour upon hour. Patience could mean the difference between the success or failure of a mission; and on occasion, between life and death.
In more recent times, there were plenty of opportunities for silent prayer and reflection.
Yet, a lengthy church council meeting, with conversations circling around and around and getting nowhere, often put Grant to the test. He could grow downright antsy.
And then there’s the following from An Advent for Religious Liberty:
On the large porch of the rectory, one of the Stone offspring, the youngest son, Paul, greeted each guest upon arrival with a sheet of paper. The ever-punctual Stephen was pleased. “Check this out, Jen. It’s a schedule for the day. Nice.”
Jennifer looked at her husband, smiled, and said, “Excited about a schedule. Sometimes, you’re so weird.”
Stephen replied, “Hey, this is impressive.”
Tom greeted his two friends. He looked at Jennifer, and said, “I missed it. Why is your husband weird?”
“Oh, it’s just odd that he’s getting excited about your schedule.”
Tom corrected, “Not my schedule. That’s my wife’s. And I agree, it’s a bit anal-retentive. But as you’ll see, it actually works.”
Stephen gave Jennifer and Tom a mock look of disapproval and said, “Well, at least, I will compliment Maggie on the schedule.”
You get the idea.
I try to be a get-things-done person like Grant, but nothing about staying on schedule, remembering tasks and times, and maintaining course on projects and goals comes naturally to me or has been ingrained in me. I need help.
That has been particularly the case over the past two-plus years where I’ve made a concerted effort to expand my book writing, especially on the Pastor Stephen Grant front.
And I’m pleased that in 2018, I wrote and published three Grant books – Reagan Country: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel; Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story;and Shifting Sands: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story. That was followed by more books in 2019 – the second edition of Warrior Monk: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel; Deep Rough: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel; Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know; The Disney Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution; The Traitor: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel, this book, and hopefully one more, The Lutheran Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution. And I’ve got some big book plans for 2020 as well.
These projects, along with a host of other career and writing endeavors, as well as family matters, have presented significant challenges in terms of time management. Those challenges, however, were met, in part, thanks to using “The TO DO List Solution.”
Beyond “The TO DO List Solution” that helps me – and hopefully you as well – is adding into the daily planning and scheduling assorted interests and inspirations. So, the first planner that I published – The Realistic Optimist TO DO List & Calendar 2019 – presented users with quotes each day reflecting a realistic optimist’s outlook on career, work and life.
And for the coming year, I offer The Pastor Stephen Grant Novels Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution for readers, fans and friends of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. Each day includes a character quote, and either a short excerpt or a quick thought on these books. I hope that a little bit of the Pastor Stephen Grant world adds some pleasure to each day in 2020, while my “TO DO List Solution” format helps you get things done in a way that Stephen Grant would appreciate.
The Case for “The TO DO List Solution”
After establishing why a Pastor Stephen Grant novels planner is for you, a question that comes up is: How can the reader of these thrillers and mysteries get organized in order to make things happen?
Life seems increasingly hectic, whether one is writing books, running a business, advancing a career, building a family, teaching others, juggling multiple tasks, managing retirement, or simply organizing your reading list. It’s a challenge to get everything done on a daily basis, never mind making sure that you’re progressing toward your bigger goals.
Technology, of course, has been a tremendous benefit, but at times it takes something simple to be added to the mix to make a real difference. For me, that was the TO DO list. So, I now offer a helpful planner/tool called “The TO DO List Solution.”
Think for a moment about all of the roles you play in life, or perhaps a better way to put it, the many vocations or callings you have. For example, in no particular order, I’m a husband, father, son, economist, novelist, columnist, publisher/editor of a website, podcaster, reader, nonfiction author, golfer, moviegoer, active Lutheran, teacher, business owner, policy analyst, and marketer. I also would like to do more, including travel, moving, taking up some new hobbies, losing weight, and writing new books. No doubt, you have your own long list. So, how can we better manage the assorted undertakings in life – from the daily routine to special or out-of-the-ordinary endeavors? That is, how do you make it happen?
I’ve become far better organized – though far from perfect – with the TO DO list becoming my main planning, organizing and execution tool. “The TO DO List Solution” provides confidence that everything that needs to happen will be remembered; most (though not necessarily all!) will be accomplished; changes can be factored in (just add the item to the list); and life will be more organized. In fact, using “The TO DO List Solution” has played a role in my being able to increase my writing output, including Pastor Stephen Grant adventures.
The act of using “The TO DO List Solution” requires reflection on goals; forces prioritization; allows for being more realistic about time management; and generates serious thought on howto best get things done (for example, such as breaking down projects into manageable steps, and checking each off along the way). And as one checks off each completed item, your sense of success and accomplishment is enhanced, with hope and confidence growing.
By the way, it also helps to put everything on one TO DO list. That is, while one can limit the use of “The TO DO List Solution” to certain aspects of life – most think of it for “work” – it pays to include much of life in “The TO DO List Solution.” After all, your daily life and long-run goals have work, family and other endeavors and responsibilities intertwined and overlapping to various degrees. “The TO DO List Solution” covers most of life.
Along the way, using TO DO lists led me to think about a more effective TO DO list. For quite some time, my TO DO list process involved periodically making a big TO DO list covering longer term goals; drawing up a weekly TO DO list usually on a Sunday night or early Monday morning; and then breaking that down into daily TO DO lists. I used all kinds of means for making this happen, including the usual planners/datebooks, notebooks, smartphones, et al. While this process proved to be a tremendous benefit, it led me to realize that having the right tool to create and utilize my TO DO lists would be a major plus.
Hence, I created “The TO DO List Solution.” It was driven by meeting a need in my own life, and it followed with the realization that if I benefit from this, others might as well. I hope this becomes a handy tool in your efforts to set and achieve all sorts of goals.
Ways to Use The Pastor Stephen Grant Novels Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution
The Pastor Stephen Grant Novels Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution can help individuals become more productive.
The following are my thoughts on why I organized The Pastor Stephen Grant Novels Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution the way I did, and how to best use it:
• First, the arrival of the New Year serves as an excellent moment to assess one’s goals, and to adjust, subtract and add to them, accordingly. So, this book starts out with the annual, big TO DO list. This calendar also is set up so that this big TO DO list can be updated at or near the start of each subsequent month, from checking off accomplishments (Wooo!) to adjusting goals to adding new efforts.
• Second, a TO DO list is established at the start of each week throughout the year. This naturally feeds off of the big, annual TO DO list, as well as encompassing other regular and irregular matters that must be done. Since I argue that most of life’s undertakings – from the smallest to the largest, from work to family life, from daily routine to vacation planning, and so on – be included, the weekly TO DO list is quite lengthy. I offer 55 boxes (with an extra one for whatever else you might need to toss into the mix). To fit on one page, these boxes might be seen as being relatively small. But I find in making my weekly TO DO lists, I tend to abbreviate, and by doing so, it limits my weekly list from being pages long and allows for a helpful one-page review. When each item on this list is accomplished, I put a slash mark through it, and with each slash, a moment of accomplishment is recognized.
• Third, soon after I started using TO DO lists, I came to realize that the weekly list needed to be further broken down into daily lists. Again, I’ve done this here, with each individual day allowing for TO DO items. The left-hand column allows for either numbering the items or assigning times for each. There are days when my TO DO list merely requires a list that I get done in no particular order, while other days require some exact times. This book allows for either option, or a mix. The right hand column allows for checking items off as accomplished – again, always a positive during the day. In addition, a “Key Reminders/Thoughts” box is included for each day to highlight the most important points, needs or objectives.
• Fourth, I appreciate daily quotes or insights that align with my interests and provide a boost to my outlook. As we’ve already noted, with The Pastor Stephen Grant Novels Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution, each page offers character quotes, short book excerpts, and a few thoughts from me on Pastor Stephen Grant and Company.
Finally, the fact that you set goals, think about how to achieve those goals, and choose to seek out and use tools like The Pastor Stephen Grant Novels Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution says something very positive about your outlook on work and life.
Friday, December 13, 2019
Recommended Reading Christmas Gifts Day #3
Recommended Reading Christmas Gifts Day #3 (that is, in addition to Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, and other books! 
) – If you know a Disney fan, then Top Disney: 100 Top Ten Lists of the Best of Disney, From the Man to the Mouse and Beyond makes for an ideal Christmas gift.
As I wrote in a review, “While flipping through pages and reading each list, it becomes clear that author Christopher Lucas possesses both deep knowledge and deep love for all things Disney. And what’s nice is that no matter the reader’s level of Disney expertise – from the casual fan to the master – there’s a great deal to appreciate in Top Disney.”
Get Top Disney here.
) – If you know a Disney fan, then Top Disney: 100 Top Ten Lists of the Best of Disney, From the Man to the Mouse and Beyond makes for an ideal Christmas gift. As I wrote in a review, “While flipping through pages and reading each list, it becomes clear that author Christopher Lucas possesses both deep knowledge and deep love for all things Disney. And what’s nice is that no matter the reader’s level of Disney expertise – from the casual fan to the master – there’s a great deal to appreciate in Top Disney.”
Get Top Disney here.
by Ray Keating
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