Planning Steps to Achieve Goals

Every day is so crazy here at home with two girls under two but the weekends are even crazier. I usually let the house get messy, embrace the craziness, and even try to rest here and there or even do something for myself. So I gave myself a day off the computer. It was nice. :) But I did come up with a way to help us achieve our goals. Friday I posted some goals that I would like to achieve that would help steer me towards my purposes and dreams in life. Yesterday I came up with a great way to make sure I am taking the necessary steps to make these goals happen. In my planner, (which Emilie Barnes encourages every women to have and I will go into more detail on planners later this week), I am going to have a GOALS section. Then I am going to have a page for each goal section, ie. Spiritual, Physical, Family, etc. On each page I am going to list my goals and then underneath the steps I need to take to achieve this goal. For instance, this is how it would look:

SPIRITUAL

- To spend at least 15 minutes daily focusing on God.
1. Set out Bible and prayer journal on table.
2. Set phone & bedroom alarms for 5:30 AM.
3. Go to sleep by 10:30 PM.

PHYSICAL (on a different page)

-To run a 5k with my husband by September 1, 2010.
1. Research running 5k plans online.
2. Find a 5k race online & sign up.
3. Run on treadmill during girls' naptime every day.

FAMILY (on different page)

- To have 3 sit-down meals a day together.
1. Make a weekly meal plan for all three meals on Wednesdays.
2. Plan & shop weekly at grocery store for meals on Thursday/Friday.

Each section having it's own pages helps me to check off goals I have accomplished and jot down a new goal with planning steps. This can be greatly encouraging when I can look back and see what I have accomplished that is helping me to be purpose-driven and have a purpose-driven home! Some of these goals will be goals that I achieve every day, such as my spiritual and family ones, whereas the physical one can be crossed off when finished and a new one created. Also, I plan to have a couple goals that I work toward at a time. But right now, I am trying to keep it simple. If you have any other suggestions that would help in achieving our goals, please let us know! Hope this wasn't too confusing! :0)

Our Family Life Goals

Yay! I managed to get my husband to sit down for five minutes and complete the first couple parts of our family life goals together. However, when it came to the actual specific goals, he peaced out on me. His friend showed up, so I was left to my own. He argued that his own goals did not need to be on the blog. Sigh. Why argue? He was being a silly-head anyways. You don't want to know the goals he came up with anyways. He thinks he's funny. :0) But here are mine. Tomorrow I will share with you how Emilie Barnes encourages us to further break down these goals into specific planning steps that will help us to accomplish these goals, which will then help us fulfill our purposes and dreams! Please feel free to share your life goals with us!!!

Family Life Goals

Theme Verse: “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

Our purpose in life is: To have a God-centered, loving and healthy marriage, while our children are safe, healthy, learning daily and growing in God. To greatly affect the lives of those we meet. To create a home that is inviting, clean, peaceful at times while filled with fun and laughter at other times.

1. Spiritual Goals
(a) To spend at least 15 minutes daily focusing on God.
When?
(a) Starting tomorrow, May 22.

2. Physical Goals
(a) To run a 5k with my husband.
When?
(a) By September 1, 2010.

3. Family Goals
(a) To have three sit-down meals a day together.
When?
(a) Starting tomorrow, May 22.

4. Financial Goals
(a) To create and stick to Dave Ramsey’s budget outline.
When?
(a) By June 1, 2010.

5. Professional Goals
(a) To become a real estate assistant for Norma (my mother-in-law) working out of home.
When?
(a) By July 1, 2010.

6. Mental Goals
(a) To read an entire book. (This may sound ridiculous but I LOVE reading and have not read much since having the girls.)
When?
(a) By June 22, 2010.

7. Social Goals
(a) To maintain my relationships with out-of-town family on a weekly basis.
When?
(b) Starting May 24.

8. Community Service Goals
(a) To go to nursing home visits with the girls.
When?
(b) By next month’s scheduled visit.

As you can see, some are pretty specific and can be achieved pretty soon, while some are not as specific and will take a bit longer. I will keep reading up on Emilie's suggestions for setting goals and carrying them out, while YOU get started dreaming!!! Remember to come back and share!

Family Life Goals Worksheet

Well, as you can see, I did not get on last night to post my goals. Bedtime did not go like planned at all and by the time both girls were fast asleep, hubby came home. We hardly get alone time, so I hate to be on the computer when I can be snuggling with him. Not that he is much of a snuggler. :0) I did read, however, the section in Emilie Barnes' book More Hours in My Day on Family Life Goals. She has a worksheet that you (and your husband if you are married) should fill out because as she puts it, "Success doesn't come by luck or accident; it comes because individuals dream, set goals, and then schedule, plan, and accomplish." And I am determined to have a successful and purpose driven home! I am not really sure how to attach files yet, so I will list out the sections you are supposed to fill out below. Hubby and I are going to sit down tonight and dream our life goals together and I'll be back tomorrow to share them with you! Hopefully you can share yours as well!

This is the sample she uses in her book More Hours in My Day.

FAMILY LIFE GOALS

Theme Verse: *can be from the Bible or favorite quote/saying

My purpose or mission in life is:

1. Spiritual Goals
(a) To read the book of John
(b)
When?
(a) By May 1
(b)

2. Physical Goals
(a) To weigh ____ pounds
(b)
When?
(a) By July 1
(b)

3. Family Goals
(a)
(b)
When?
(a)
(b)

4. Financial Goals
(a)
(b)
When?
(a)
(b)

5. Professional Goals
(a)
(b)
When?
(a)
(b)

6. Mental Goals
(a)
(b)
When?
(a)
(b)

7. Social Goals
(a)
(b)
When?
(a)
(b)

8. Community Service Goals
(a)
(b)
When?
(a)
(b)

Some things to remember when filling out the worksheet above:

- "Your purpose or mission in life is why you do what you do." (Emilie)
- "Your goals are action steps that can be measured and will help you reach your dreams." (Emilie)
- "A goal can be accomplished very quickly or it may take a lifetime." (Emilie)
- Goals should state specific quantity, give a deadline, and be written out.

GOOD LUCK!

Goals

I'm already getting started! Aren't you proud of me?! I stumbled across the name of a woman who specializes in helping women create the homes they desire thanks to Michelle Duggar's book The Duggars: 20 and Counting! In Michelle's book, she mentions Emilie Barnes as a great resource for helping to organize your home. So I went to ebay, my husband's favorite site. And boy, were there TONS of books by Emilie Barnes. One that caught my fancy was More Hours in My Day. I mean, come on, the title alone summed up my life's plea! I definitely needed more hours in my day! Who doesn't?! I ordered a couple other books by her and when I got them in the mail, I began reading and couldn't put her books down! They were filled cover to cover with helpful and EASY tips to getting and staying organized while also being a successful wife and mother and well... having a PURPOSE DRIVEN HOME! Emilie says that we should begin with goals - "... if we don't know what our purpose, goals, values, and priorities are in life, we'll not be able to effectively manage our lives, homes, and families." So my goal for tonight while the hubby is at soccer practice and the girls are hopefully in bed asleep, is to write out my family life goals. So be sure to check back and make sure I did my homework!

Desiring change but clueless

Clueless. That pretty much sums up how I am feeling at this moment. I have no clue how to start or maintain a blog. I do know, though, that I am super impressed with all the blogs out there and am inspired by these women that create them. Here are the facts: I am coming up on my three year anniversary with my husband and have two children, Brylee age 18 1/2 months, and Cambria, age 6 months. Yep, one year and two weeks apart. AND... we want more! :0) Crazy, I know. Let's keep moving... My house is a complete mess and I struggle to keep up with the cleaning, the cooking, the laundry, the bills, the endless amount of paper that comes with life, the important friendships in my life, keeping my hubby content and happy, and being the best mom I can be. I am 26 1/2 years old, so I feel like I should have it all down by now. But I don't. So I feel like I need some accountability. There are so many great resources out there in the forms of books and blogs and magazines and websites... all rich with great tips on how to be better at life. I devour this stuff. BUT... I am still lacking something. I realized last night it was accountability. Even though I am not sure how I can even find time to blog on top of everything else in my life, I feel that this is the right move for me. I doubt anyone will even read this, but the fact that it is out there is good motivation for me. I hope to share my struggles and my victories, and every tip along the way that helps me to lead a purpose-driven life and home in hopes that I may also be helping someone else along the way. Let's get started!