Making Goals for the New Year

I asked my daughters tonight at the dinner table if they knew what a resolution is. The two younger ones, 8 and 5, didn't know and didn't try to guess. My 10 year old said, "It's a promise people make every year and they never keep." My husband and I busted out laughing - because we know it's true. I've sworn off resolutions. I would much rather make myself goals that are actually possible to attain. So, I asked my girls what kind of goals they would like to make for this month for themselves and then we talked about some goals for our family. It was a great conversation. I have decided to make monthly goals for myself this year instead of yearly. It's much less intimidating and overwhelming and I'm less likely to fail at them with such a short time frame. I have categorized mine into 4 categories this month. Spiritual goals, personal goals, blogging goals and health goals. Here are some things I have found helpful in planning and keeping goals. Maybe they'll be helpful to you, too!

Get a good planner. This monthly planner is going to be close by my side everyday. Believe it or not I found this at the dollar store. And it's perfect. Great size, great color, and just what I need. It shows year at a glance for 2014 and 2015. It also shows month at a glance for 2014 and includes a section for notes and reminders. I love it! I've been very scatterbrained lately and forget things or get distracted by other things needing my attention, so this calendar is going to be very useful in helping me stay on track. 

Set a realistic time frame for your goals. If you want to lose 40 pounds, don't limit yourself to 6 weeks and expect to meet your goal. Calculate a reasonable time frame for your goal and then figure out how you will accomplish that goal. One of my goals is to declutter my entire house (I do this a couple times a year), but I'm pretty sure it won't get done in a two week time frame. It'll take me at least this whole month because of other obligations I have.

Make a step by step plan. In order to reach a goal like decluttering my whole house, I have a plan to go room by room, starting with drawers then closets and then the open, obvious things in each room. As I go along, each room will also be cleaned from top to bottom using cleaning plans like these. Everything will be split into 3 piles. 1) Give away, 2) Throw away 3) Sell. That way everything that stays has a purpose and has value. Anything else goes! {I can't wait!!}

Do you make resolutions or goals? Do you set a time frame or just hope it all gets done? I'm motivated by a new year! It's a clean slate. A chance to start all over. Another chance to succeed. It's exciting and I have high hopes for this new year!

Hope all of you have a wonderful new year!




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Fall Cleaning Schedule {a free checklist + app}

What's your favorite thing about Fall? The beautiful colors, the cooler weather, pumpkin spice lattes and so much more makes me so happy about Fall coming! I even like {not love} Fall cleaning. I think I'll like it much better this year with all the kids gone to school. It's a little easier having the house to myself.

 

I've been using a cleaning method for a few years now that really helps me stay on track and get it all done! I love lists, but sometimes it's more fun to make the list than actually do the cleaning. I love that Real Simple has made the checklist for me and it's pretty detailed so that you are sure to get everything done that needs some attention. Click here to get your free checklist!

And if you are more into having your checklists handy at all times, click here to get Real Simple's To-Do app for your iPhone or iPad.

These are a few of the categories of lists on this app that are very helpful and are so convenient when you're out and about and you need to pick up a few things or what-have-you.

When you click on the 'cleaning' icon, you'll see this come up. These lists are pretty exhaustive and they let you check off the items as you go. It's really very convenient! You can also customize the lists by adding your personal to-do items to it.

I also love that you can set a date to have these done by. It is motivation to get it done in a timely manner.

Another great feature is the 'delegate' feature. You can actually delegate a certain task to anyone on your Contact List in your phone. Too bad none of my kids are old enough to have a phone. We'll still have to do this the old fashioned way, but I might try it on my husband! {wink}

 

What are your favorite things to help you accomplish your cleaning goals and To-Do Lists? Have you used this app?

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

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