Tag: Goals

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Help for Setting and Achieving Your Goals

I have spent November and December in quiet time, prayer, and planning.  I wanted to greet the New Year with enthusiasm and a plan.  You see, ever since MOMCon 2014 (Mothers of Preschoolers Convention- totally awesome, by the way) I have been contemplating this year’s “Brave” theme and what it means for me and God’s call upon my life.  Never before have I spent so much time and effort into setting goals. Oh I make plans, alright, and lists – tons of lists. (My Mom thinks I’m a little overboard in the organizing department. I may or may not have had my suitcase packed two full weeks before my last trip back home, outfits rolled together with undies and jewelry all together. That’s not weird. You do that too, right?) But goals? Actual write them out all official-like goals? Nope. Never. I wasn’t even sure where to start.

Several resources have helped me in that department. Each one has profoundly changed the way I think about goal setting and why I should even bother. I want to share these resources with you. Each one has been for a specific area of my life.  All together, they were beyond what I’d call a good value for the little money I spent. THEY WERE FABULOUS, I’m telling you. Fabulous!

I downloaded the books A Million Little Ways, Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live by Emily P. Freeman and Restless: Because You Were Made for More by Jennie Allen.  I attended workshops that each of these ladies led at MOMCon. Oh my they were fantastic! It’s no exaggeration to say that the Restless book radically changed my mindset. If you have ever pondered your purpose beyond wife and mother, these books are for you. (While I am not an affiliate for either one of these titles, I do have them in my Amazon store for your convenience.)

I also downloaded a few workbooks to help me get it all sorted out. The first one is Your Retreat, A Guide to Giving Yourself a Personal Planning Day by Erin Odom. Erin blogs at The Humbled Homemaker. She’s the perfect combo of crunchy yet practical – I like that. In this downloadable PDF, she covers why it is so important to set aside time to plan and set goals. She guides you through several areas such as homemaking, meal planning, personal growth, spiritual growth, and finances. She also touches on our roles as wife and as parent. This was the perfect starting point for me.  It was easy to read and to implement.

About the same time, Tina at Savvy Homeschool Moms recommended a free ebook by Leonie Dawson called A Cowgirl’s Guide to Riding Wild Donkeys. Crazy, I know. (I loved it. You know I would. Come on…wild donkeys? Yes, please.) That book led me to her workbooks, Create Your Shining Year, 2015 Life & Biz Editions. Now, before skipping off to her site I have to warn you: the girl has got a mouth like a sailor. Somehow, though, she’s endearing on so many other levels that I sort of overlook it. (And read emails from her with one eye closed. Really. Lovely girl but whoa..that mouth.) She’s a totally groovy, hippy dippy sort of chick. I think she’s the Australian version of Dharma & Greg. (Kinda miss that show. I may have been her in my previous single, yoga teaching, life. Dharma with the clean mouth. Just so you’re clear on that one.) These two fun and artsy workbooks narrowed down the focus a bit more. They cover specific goal planning for what you want to accomplish but also the kind of life you want to have. Clever, huh?

http://leoniedawson.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/200x200.jpg

Those three workbooks impressed me so much that I partnered with the authors as an affiliate (As an affiliate, I earn a tiny bit of moolah for each book that is purchased though clicking on their links from my site) to help them reach a greater audience. The workbooks are THAT good. I can see myself re-using them for years to come. They are available as printable PDFs so I can do that. Score! Green, even.

You know what’s even better? This week only Erin’s Your Retreat, A Guide to Giving Yourself a Personal Planning Day is available for only 99cents !

Your-Retreat-3D-smaller

I’m curious, do you set goals? What’s your process? Do you have a plan or just wing it? Connect, let’s chat about it.

 

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Three in Thirty

Weeks Three and Four (I can do that, right?)

These days have just been wild!  I’m not sure I’ll complete my #3in30 goals this month- I may just have to carry over into January. The upside: my mobile office is complete & my organizational post is ready to publish next month.   The downside: I have not even begun to type my homeschool scriptures.

This verse has been especially encouraging to me lately.  I hope it blesses you too.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Three in Thirty

Week Two – Status

3in30 I'm In!!

Am I the only one feeling like there are not enough hours in the day? By the way, I still dream about having a Rosie the Robot from the Jetsons.  Could it really be that hard? Really? (Yes, Honey Hubby Wonderful Man this is a hint…)

Oh yeah: progress. Maybe I should have made getting the Christmas presents made/purchased one of my goals.  I’ve not bought ONE bless-ed thing.  Nope- not one. I’m usually so on top of that. I have been busy, though.  We’ve been camping, decorating, playdates…and working on my #3in30 goals.  Here’s my status:

  1. Typed List of Homeschool Scriptures – not yet started
  2. Organizational Post – working on this one. I’ve compiled ideas of what to include, taken pictures, edited pictures, and have rough draft started
  3. Create Mobile Office – DONE! I’ll share more about it in the organizational post.  Wanna sneak peek? Here ya go:

I’m wishing y’all #3in30 blessings and holiday cheer from my cozy, comfy Big Chair in front of the fire (so better than the office I had wanted and stressed over, silly me).

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Three in Thirty

Week One – Roll Call

My goals this year have been to:

  1. Grow in my relationship with Christ
  2. Have fun with social media
  3. Continue to get organized.
In keeping with those overall goals, my December goals are to:
  • Type a list of homeschooling scriptures
  • Share some of my organization tips in a blog post (with photos)
  • Make a portable home office
I’ve gotten a bit of a head start with the mobile office.  I got the idea from A Bowl Full Of Lemons.  I’ve purchased the tote bag and folders.  Wish me luck!
3in30 I'm In!!
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Three in Thirty

Week Four – Wrap Up

This is the short and sweet holiday version: I completed my goals! Yippie! Even though this month has flown by (and included both a surgery and a holiday) I consider it a huge success. I’m on top of my to-do list and have been very active in social media. I have had so much fun visiting my #3in30 friends. You are all so fun, encouraging, and just down right sweet!

I’m dashing off for another turkey & dressing sammich… catch ya’ later!

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Three in Thirty

Week Three – Encouragement

3in30 I'm In!!

Whoa Baby, the month is just flying by!  With Thanksgiving fast approaching there seems to be so much more to do.  I am pleased (ok, really impressed with myself) that I have completed another #3in30 goal.  Yep, check another item off my list! Here’s my progress so far:

Finished – typing the scriptures from the book on the favor of God (see that book here).
Finished- gathering all passwords into a secure iPad app.
In Progress/On Target- setting aside blogging time (see big comfy writing spot here)

I can think of no better way to encourage you today than to encourage you in the Lord.  I want to share my Favor Scriptures with you! I spend “Power Time” everyday confessing scriptures out loud.  It will really rev you up and get you going.  Confessing God’s Word is a powerful prayer tool and a super- charge for your faith. Try it… you’ll like it! 🙂

Favor Scriptures

Favor Scriptures

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Three in Thirty

Week Two- Progress

3in30 I'm In!!

I am really digging technology right now. Thanks to lovely gadgets,  I am writing my post from my big ole comfy chair. And it is big.  Big and comfy.  In front of the fire.  All nice and cozy.

Post-surgery bed rest has provided a kind of a mini- epiphany moment for me.  I’ve been stressing for-evhah about finding time to write.  I’ve had this idea of sitting at my desk, all alone, at an appointed time, with my research and notes all laid out before me.  I like things all straight, neat and nice like that.

Sunday by mrsmarybetht, on Pix-O-Sphere

All this time… and it’s been right here all along.  I don’t need a certain space or even quiet time.  It’s even better that I’m not alone.  Hubby and DS4 are happy watching a movie.  And I am happy with my notebook computer.  Perfect world.  They don’t feel neglected and I don’t feel like there’s not enough time for everything.  It’s working…for now.

I have already completed one of my goals.  I have finished gathering all passwords into a secure iPad app.  Loving the iPad, by the way.  It’s been wonderful entertainment while recuperating.  Not only is it entertaining, it’s a powerful organizing tool.  If I had acquired it earlier, I wouldn’t have troubled with my home management binder.

I’ll be setting aside time each night to type my new scripture confessions.  I’ll also set aside time on Saturdays to write.  I’m pleased so far.  And comfy.  Really comfy. I’m going to be surfing this weekend from my cozy spot- checking up on my #3in30 Gals.

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Three In Thirty

Week One – November Goals

3in30 I'm In!!

#3in30 has really helped me get things in order. Even in the months that I didn’t officially participate in the blog challenge, I did spend time intentionally growing in my relationship with the Lord, participating in social media, and getting my home organized. These little monthly snippets have yielded great overall progress that I am proud of. I’m so inspired and encouraged by reading your posts. I have gotten so many great ideas and learned so much from each of you…big thanks…y’all are fantastic!

This month I am going to:
Type out the scripture references from the inspirational book I read in October,
Continue writing on Saturdays, and
Compile all my passwords in a secure application/location.

I will be using (get ready for the shout out) my new iPad2 to accomplish these goals. Thank you to my wonderful hubby for such a great anniversary present! Smooch smooch to you, Honey.

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Three in Thirty

Wrapping Up

3in30 I'm In!!

I have completed my goals (well, almost). I have just a few pages left in my inspirational book. I have set Saturdays as my day to write (yeah, let’s see if that one works out). I have decorated my home for fall. It feels so good to complete something.

I’m already looking ahead to November.  What about you? Are you getting close to the finish line? I’m so proud of all of us- not for accomplishing the goals, though.  I’m proud that we set goals and worked on them.  We’ve spent intentional time improving our lives and our homes.  Any progress at all is worthy of applause.  I’m clapping for you.  Oh wait: I have to stop typing.  OK, now I’m clapping for you. Great job, Ladies!

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Three in Thirty

Week Three – Encouragement

3in30 I'm In!!

I’m plugging along:

  •  almost finished the inspirational book
  •  still trying to find the right day for writing time (looks like Saturday, maybe.  Don’t hold me to it)
  •  finished with Fall decorations.
I’d like to encourage you today by saying, “hang in there.” Great speech, huh? No really, just keep going. Keep moving forward- even if its just baby steps.  Wherever you are, what ever you’re doing, just take one step forward.  Then another.  Then another.
Since everyone is doing so well, I’m making supper for all my #3in30 Gals.  That’s right! Supper.  Here is THE. EASIEST. SUPPER- evhah, Baby.
Here’s what you’ll need to make the most wonderful, delicious, moistest (did I mention easiest?) Pulled Pork Sandwiches
  1. Crock pot
  2. Pork loin
  3. BBQ Sauce
  4. Buns
That’s it.  Super easy.  
Separate your pork loin if it comes two to a package.  Place it in the crock pot and pour an entire bottle of BBQ sauce over it.  Fill the empty bottle with water and add a half or more of the water over the loin.  You have to eyeball this one.  The amount of liquid depends on the size of your pot and loin.  Don’t overfill as the crock pot creates moisture.  You knew that already, I know.  I just had to say it. Put the lid on and bake on low for 8-10 hours.  An hour before you intend to serve it, take two forks and shred the loin to pieces.  It’ll be so tender it will just fall apart.  At this stage it may absorb more of the sauce so you will want to check it after 30 minutes to see if you need to add a little more water.  Serve on buns.
We use Ubon’s Dipping sauce.  I’m not sure you can find it outside of the South.  It’s made locally.  Any BBQ sauce will do.  My family enjoys using Hawaiian Bread as buns.  We also top our pork with coleslaw (Kroger prepared package- just add a little mayo) and a dab of Sweet Baby Ray’s. Serve with chips or fries.  Enjoy!
(Disclaimer/Credit: I have no idea where this recipe came from.  I’ve been making it this way for so long I have forgotten who told me about it.  Heck, I may have even come up with it on my own. Who knows? Just enjoy. Feel free to share.)