How I Monk #18 - Stephanie's Story

November 13, 2024 Monk Manual

This is the eighteenth in our series of emails called “How I Monk.” In this series we will be highlighting + celebrating members of the Monk Manual community as they’ve meaningfully applied our tools and resources to find peaceful being and purposeful doing in their everyday lives. If you’d like to be featured in a future “How I Monk,” share your information with us here… #HowIMonk

Name: Stephanie Holbrook

Occupation: Athlete and Coach

Website/Social: https://stephanieholbrook.com

Location: Peoria, Arizona

A bit about who you are and how you spend your days:

I’ve been an endurance athlete since 2003 and a coach since 2008. I love endurance sports and coaching, but it makes my life pretty busy. Most days, I wake up at 5 am and am at the gym by 5:30. I am back home around 6:45. I make breakfast and shower, then off to my meditation space. I sit down in a meditation area. I set a timer for 20 minutes. I have my Monk manual open and focus on my day. At that time, I review yesterday ( I realize I am supposed to do that in the evening, but I am pooped, and my brain stops working). Then, I focus on the tasks today.

Mondays are my week in review days. The first Monday of the month is my review of the month and planning for the next month. I work on my tasks at hand while checking off items in my Monk Manual. After lunch, I hunker down and work until around 4 pm. Then comes workout number two: swimming, biking, running, or a combo. I make dinner, then focus on something light, either crafts or watching a movie with my husband.

What originally drew you to the Monk Manual?

I have tried a dozen or so planners in the past. When I saw an ad on Facebook, I decided to try it. I thought I would use it for a short while and then lose interest, like all the other half-filled planners I have. Unlike the others, I stuck with the Monk Manual.

One of the main reasons is its simplicity. With Monk Manual, the format is clean and simple. Unlike other planners that I have tried, which include a plethora of questions to answer each day or stickers I need to find a use for. It is great for me, as someone with ADHD. It keeps me from getting overwhelmed.

I've relied on the Monk Manual for over a year to guide me through life. As an online coach for endurance athletes, maintaining focus and meeting goals can be challenging due to self-imposed distractions and my ADHD tendencies. Regrettably, I often found myself wasting time scrolling through Facebook. However, fate intervened when I stumbled upon the Monk Manual ad. Having tried countless paper and online planners before, none have compared to the Monk Manual when it comes to keeping me on track and aligned with my work and aspirations.

Do you have a favorite prompt or section?

I like going over the month and reflecting over my progress, all made by daily actions.

Practical Monk Manual Tip:

I added the manual to my daily meditation. I would suggest to add it to something you already do and enjoy.

When you were first getting started, what part of the Monk Manual did you struggle with most?

My biggest struggle was getting into a routine. Once I set up my little meditation area and added the Monk Manual to my meditation routine, it helped me stay consistent with using the manual.

How has your life changed since using the Monk Manual?

I don’t feel overwhelmed and am proud of the steady and productive progress I make every day. Reflecting on the months and older manuals over the years, it is fun to see my progress.

It is nice not to feel guilt at the end of the day thinking I wasted my time on something useless. It was frustrating to know I would never get that time back. I don’t have that frustration anymore.