January Goals…”New Year Resolutions”

Every year, I think about new year’s resolutions and I usually make several I want to stick with for the year.  I was reading “Say Goodbye to Survival Mode” by Crystal Paine last year and she talks about setting monthly (even weekly) goals.  I also read a lot of organizational tips from Alejandra.tv and she encourages quarterly goals vs. new year resolutions.  Maybe this is why majority of people break their resolutions or give up 5 months in, if that. 

I decided to take their advice and make monthly goals.  This makes sense as each month may hold different “seasons” of your life.  2014 was a crazy roller coaster ride and I know 2015 will be full of ups and downs as well.  I’m really excited and hopeful to set some goals for the year, broken down into months.  I plan to post them on my blog to help keep me accountable.  Crystal and Alejandra also categorize their goals.  I love this and think it’s a great way to move forward in different areas of your life. Some of these goals will change and some will be ongoing throughout the year. I will most likely have fewer goals in the following months, but maybe a bit more challenging.

I’m keeping them in my new planner at the front of each month! 

Here are my January goals:

1. Start my Jesus Calling devotional – I started this last year and totally slacked after I had Maddox in June.  I’ve decided to re-read the first half (it’s a 365 daily devotional) and finish it this year. 
2. Listen to more Christian music vs. secular – Our church’s sermon last weekend was about how impactful music was on our lives.  And how it’s a great way to memorize Scripture and be encouraged through hard times.
3. Read The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst – I’ve heard so many great things about this book.  As women, I think we tend to overcommit (although I think I’m pretty good about saying no) and I want to focus on the important “yeses” this year.

1. Read The Power of a Woman’s Words – I’m highly impacted by books and would love to read about the power of my words.  God talks a lot about the importance of our words and how damaging or uplifting they can be.  I hate to admit this, but when I get mad or upset with Ryan, I use words to hurt.  The horrible thing about words is you can NEVER take them back and the damage is done.  I’m looking forward to this book.
2. Go on a date with Ryan – I know this sounds so simple, but it has been REALLY hard to go on a date with him with Maddox being difficult at night and Ryan so busy during basketball season.  Ryan and I are big time “daters” so this has been hard not spending as much one on one time with him.  It’s hard for me to consider watching a movie at home a date…we like to go out.
3. Do the 7 Day Challenge from Dating Divas – They have a cute 7 Day challenge that is a fun way to love on your husband.

1. Be stern but don’t yell at Beckham – Again, I hate to admit it, but I feel like I’ve yelled more at Beckham since Maddox was born.  This kid is as strong-willed as they come. Plus with a baby, no sleep, and him being a “threenager”, my patience is so thin.  I’m learning to take breaths and ignore it until I can deal with it in a better manner.
2. Continue “breastfeeding” (pumping) – I exclusively pump so it’s pretty much the hardest route to take to feed a baby.  You have the con of bottle feeding (washing a million bottles), plus taking time to pump in addition to feeding your baby, and the washing of all the pump parts (and the storage of keeping milk fresh).  I was SO close to giving up about a month ago, but after some thought and research, I decided to keep going and suck it up!  I’ve learned some good tips to make it a bit easier (I plan to share that later in a blog post).  Every month of continued breast milk is a huge success for me, so this will be my goal until about a year.
3. Survive 🙂  Let’s be honest, this phase for me is about surviving.  Some people breeze through the baby stage (with a toddler) and some just survive.  That’s me.  It’s not an easy stage for me, but I know each month will be easier and easier!

1. Do “something” at least 2 times a week – I’ve gone from college athlete who literally spent 7 days a week exercising to not doing anything (granted I usually work out when I’m not pregnant or breastfeeding), so this goal seems so silly and meaningless.  I DO NOT like working out when I’m still “breastfeeding” (aka producing milk).  It is really uncomfortable for me and takes more work to get ready (think 3 bras and duct tape) that I’ll just take my 500 calories from pumping everyday (thank goodness it burns calories or I’d be ginormous).  My plan is do just “move” twice a week, whether that be at a gym (haha probably not) or in my house.  It’s too cold to take walks.
2. Drink 60 ounces of water a day – I know you’re supposed to have more, but I’m the world’s worst water drinker.  I measured how much I drank yesterday and it was 20 ounces before I went to bed (I usually drink another 10-20 right before bed).  Yikes.  I know how important water is, yet I just don’t do it so this is my goal.
3. Get at least 6 hours of sleep at night – This will be my hardest goal.  Ever.  I come alive at night.  I just do.

1. Host dinner for friends at our house at least once – I love hosting get togethers, but have avoided it due to the “unfinished (aka clutter) of my house.  This will also motivate me to remove stuff (another goal below).

I’m closed till mid-January, but I still have a couple of simple goals this month.
1. Add 10 new signs once I re-open – Majority of these are done, I just need to list them, which is a process.  The more items I have listed, the more money, so I must keep adding items. 
2. Do my sales tax for Quarter 4, 2014 – My sales tax forms are due January 20.
3. Update description on each listing – My listings need to be updated after learning what people read and don’t read.

1. Continue saving $250 a month for a new car – We’ve been saving for a few months and plan to use our tax money towards the car as well.  Believe it or not, we’re almost there!  We’ll buy it in cash so we need to have all the money before we buy it.  This is huge for me…I’ve been driving my car for almost 11 years.  It’s in great condition and I do like it, but it’s tiny for our needs.
2. Spend $360 on groceries – I’ve been overspending our budget ($400) and need to scale back.
3. Do not buy clothes/accessories without giving it thought for 24 hours – I’m an impulse buyer when it comes to clothes, shoes, and accessories.  If I still want it after 24 hours, I’ll get it if it’s in our budget.

1. Get a massage – I know this sounds like a weird goal, but I need one so bad and keep putting it off.  My back is killing me from pumping/holding a ginormous baby, and I need a good massage.
2. Less social media – I waste so much time on social media.  Period.  Just need to put my phone down more.
3. Donate excess stuff around my house – I cannot explain how much of a burden this has been lately.  Clutter and things not having a place, give me anxiety.  I agonize over what to do with certain stuff I’m not using (stash away somewhere, craft it, sell it, donate it), that it ends up sitting in the same spot for months!  Decluttering is really therapeutic for me.  I’m getting my trash bags ready.

My main theme this year is “Just Do It”

I tend to procrastinate and it just builds up, which causes me stress.  I’m also working on giving myself more grace!  This is a time in my life where focusing on my children and their well being is busy enough (and certainly more important). 

2014 was such a blessing, but also a hard year for me.  I’m excited about 2015 and I’m hoping these monthly goals will keep me accountable and focused.

I’m linking up today with Andrea from Momfessionals and I can’t wait to read everyone’s resolutions and goals for 2015!  Maybe it will spur some ideas for future goals!