2014 lies ahead of me like a rich open field I’m eager to explore. I noticed that last year I made resolutions … and only accomplished one of them.
On Monday night, I attended a Mamavation event on healthy, attainable goals and learned that the key was to make small goals that you can achieve.
In MY mind, that really means itsy bitsy goals. Let’s face it: between my schedule, my kids, the stress of tiny disasters, my freelancing (which is often “Yes, I can do that! Tonight!”) and more, it’s important to schedule little patches of time – 5 or 10 minutes. Then if I can (or want) to do more, I will.
So with that in mind, I’m making intelligent, achievable mini-goals, for near and far.
Near Goals – 1 to 2 months:
HEALTH / DETOX / GREEN LIVING
- This family needs to eat more veggies, so I have to get more creative putting vegetables on the table. Possibly this will involve meal planning and soup making.
- 5-10 minutes of dailky fitness for me on weekdays. I am doing the Mamavation 2 week challenge again starting next week, which is more than that, but I’ve failed to complete it twice.
- Take one step towards gardening. This month, it will be sprouting something, since I saw an easy way to do that in a book I’m reading.
- Research on nontoxic, EFFECTIVE lawn care.
BLOG & WRITING
- Get more professionally motivated. Ok, that’s not a measurable goal, I know. So, let’s do this: write down a strategy to write more for profit, including magazine writing.
- 5 minutes a day during weekdays of writing fiction.
- Sit down and brainstorm a long list of ideas for my clients and my own blog on relevant topics.
PARENTHOOD
- Once a month, assist Zoe and Amelia in accomplishing a possible future dream goal. At this point, I’m thinking photography/filmmaking skills for Amelia, cooking or building skills for Zoe. On Tuesdays, I’m going to be tracking my progress – and theirs – on the blog, to keep me legit 🙂
- Get kids cooking one day this month. It could be something SO simple, like mixing batter or tossing a salad.
- Set up laptop for Amelia.
- Write down potty training plan/reward system for Zoe.
Far Goals – for the year:
HEALTH / DETOX / GREEN LIVING
- Investigate Couch to 5K and really pray if I should try it.
- Invest in quality sneakers to start walking once the nice weather hits. START by getting properly fitted and get a gait/stride analysis.
- Cook one thing out of all my nice, shiny, untouched cookbooks per month.
- Start writing one recipe per quarter.
- Begin to grow things.
- Join a CSA.
BLOG & WRITING
- Save up for another conference.
- Investigate the financial aspect of returning to school.
- Goal set on my novel(s).
PARENTHOOD
- Helping my kids to find friends.
- Get Amelia into Special Olympics.
Baby steps, as you can see! There’s other to do list stuff, but none of it is quite like this. I’m so excited for this year, and one last thing before I go – I’m extremely grateful for last year! Professionally it was outstanding. Check out how full of awesome abundance my 2013 Gratitude Jar is:
WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AN ABUNDANT, HEALTHY, NONTOXIC NEW YEAR!
Find Frugal tips for the new year at: Fabulously Frugal Thursday!
Melinda@LookWhatMomFound...andDadtoo says
you have a very good list going on for the year.
Gina B says
Thanks Melinda.
miranda says
i like how you split the goals into near and far goals! mine are all long goals, even the easy ones. having the whole year to work on them makes it less stressful to me!
Gina B says
Having a whole year, just makes me postpone them! (Like most writers, I have a PhD in procrastination.)
Caitlin says
Great goals! I hope you accomplish all plus more this year 🙂
Gina B says
Thanks so much Caitlin!
kim @ DESIGN + LIFE + KIDS says
I love this! You can do it! I have more goals this year than ever. It’s intimidating and exciting at the same time.
Gina B says
More than ever? LOL, you’re brave! Too many always knock me over.
Jeanine @MommyEntourage says
So proud of you for such an extensive list! I haven’t even made mine yet! EEK!
Gina B says
It’s early; plenty of time yet!
Kelly Moran says
Great list of goals! I am still working on mine. Can you tell I am a procrastinator?? LOL
Gina B says
Thanks, Kelly! LOL, yes, it took a monumentous effort to write these, so I get it! Good luck writing them.
Barb @ A Life in Balance says
I love the abundance jar! Okay, I need to get mine started today.
Any time, you’d like to do a guest post on parenting, I’d love to share it with my readers. One of my goals for 2014 for the blog is inviting more guest posts. 🙂
Gina B says
Yes, I dumped and restarted a new one, so I could track the year. I like doing that best – and already had something to put in it in! Yes, Barb, I’d love to guest post…knew I was supposed to pitch someone, lol. Off kilter from holiday & abundance of snow days, but soon!
Mommahunt16 says
Love that you did both near and far goals…..so great! I loved the C25K and I had never run before ever….there were several times I did a few of the weeks over and I went in with a no pressure attitude.
Gina B says
Thank you, that’s really encouraging! I have to make sure running is right for me first.
Jennifer A says
This is a great list. I wish you much success reaching your goals. You go girl!!
Gina B says
Thanks so much Jennifer!
Carrie says
What a great way tho hash out goals! Love how you broke them down into easy to manage pieces.
Gina B says
Thanks Carrie! Although I feel I am still lacking in goals.