Everything you never wanted to know about this blog, but I'm going to tell you anyway.
I am Mrs Cranky, a dinosaur-loving 50-something on a mission to get things done while bringing joy back into everyday life.
Not physically, but I am getting old now, so I certainly feel like a dinosaur in terms of years. And like the blog name says, I am a real Crankysaurus in the morning.
Because mornings exist. Because some people think pineapple doesn't belong on pizza (it totally does). Because my dinosaur supervisor keeps trying to chomp important documents. Because Netflix won't let me organise my list of shows alphabetically or by date added for no obvious reason that I can see. Because my Inner Five-Year-Old wants to do ALL THE THINGS RIGHT NOW, and Adult Me keeps saying ridiculous things like 'be reasonable' and 'you need sleep'. Because people keep remaking movies that were already perfect. Because I can't hear the TV properly when I am eating potato chips. Because I am a touch-screen Luddite who will only ever be able to type on her phone at a rate of one word per minute. Because my sticker collection isn't big enough yet and never will be. Because Mr Cranky keeps putting his freezing cold hands on me to warm himself up and then laughs when I shriek.
But mainly I'm cranky because I have been an 'incompletionist' for a very long time now, and I want to find a system that will allow me to set goals and actually see them through to the end.
This is a blog about productivity, goal tracking, dinosaurs, dinosaur stickers and growing old disgracefully. This is basically a space for me to waffle on about what I'm doing and how effective it is (or isn't, as the case may be).
I do.
Dinosaurs and other things.
I suppose you could put it like that, yes. Another way of looking at it is, I'm calling on my Inner Five-Year-Old to help me achieve my adult goals. (She really, really likes stickers!)
This 'ridiculous system' has been decades in the making, but the short version is, other productivity systems didn't suit my personality, so I decided to create my own. You can read the full story in The Dopeysaurus.
Absolutely nothing! The fact I couldn't get other approaches to work is on me, not the systems. You can find a list of other tried-and-tested, non-dinosaur-themed productivity and goal-tracking methods in The Helpfulsaurus.
ROAR is what I am calling my goal-tracking system. The letters stand for:
I have tried too many systems that made me feel like a failure because I couldn't stick with them long term. ROAR goals celebrate persistence over perfection: showing up counts, even if you don't achieve everything you wanted to that day.
Why not? Dinosaurs are actually pretty cool. They are huge and noisy and stompy and chompy, and I don't think it should only be little boys who get to enjoy Cretaceous chaos.
Well, it all started because I wanted to learn Latin. First there was a Latin textbook, and then there was a dinosaur notebook, and eventually there was a dinosaur hand puppet called Rexie Roller...
Look, it'll take too long to explain here, so see The Professorsaurus for the full story.
Well, yes, I do like that I get to talk about my plushies, but that's not the only reason. I get why some people would be keen to bypass the upfront waffle, though, in which case you can find out more by reading The Revolutionasaurus.
Yes and no. I am grown up in terms of years, but I try never to act my age unless it's absolutely necessary.
I don't. I figure they'll either get it or they won't.
That is a completely valid reaction and I salute you for your honesty. The Crankysaurus method isn't for everyone and that's OK.
The Crankysaurus method doesn't have to be based on cute things. In fact, I'd encourage anyone who is thinking of joining me to look for a theme that appeals to them. There are plenty of stickers out there, from aardvarks to zombies and everything in between, so everyone should be able to find something to suit their preferences and personality.
I can't promise anything, but I can tell you that this approach has seen me making real progress where other systems have failed. It was quite a moment of revelation when I crunched the numbers one Saturday morning in May and discovered that I actually could tick off all four of my Big Goals on or before December 31st. And when I completed my first major goal on 22 June and placed that final sticker, I finally felt that I was somebody who gets things done.
Yes, two, actually.
If you'd like Rexie to help you solve a goal-related problem, use the link in Rexie's Corner to send him an email.
And, if you feel so inclined, leave me a comment at the bottom of this entry. I think I have established that I am a needy, attention-seeking little Velociraptor at heart, and I'd love your feedback.
I hope to talk to some of you soon. Until then,
Carpe skateboard! 🛹🦖
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