So, did I mention that I am really behind the curve on executing my goals for 2010? I am.
At church I work with youth, 12-18 year old girls. Which, by the way, I particularly enjoy. This year I told myself I was going to complete all of the requirements to earn my "Personal Progress Award," which is the church program of goal setting and spiritual development that the young women participate in. To do so, I have to read scriptures, write in a journal, set some smaller goals, and then do three larger projects, at least 10 hours a piece.
For 2010 I decided to make my goals line up with these three larger projects, to address three key areas of my life where I wanted to improve. Well, so far I have done little to nothing. It's embarrassing, but true.
But, I have determined that I should not let the fact that it is April stand in the way of accomplishing my goals. I can still start working.
Yet, since I tend to let distractions in life keep me from fully moving forward on my goals, I have decided that I need a way to be more accountable.
So, I am making it public and signing up. Here are my three big goals:
1- Run a marathon. Since I am aiming for a race at the end of the year, I decided that I need a way to get started training, so I signed up today for a 17.75 K on June 12. I have about 8 weeks to be ready to run just over 11 miles. I put together a training schedule. Ran my first 5 miler on Saturday, and now I have to execute the hardest part: sticking to my schedule. But, having paid my money and signed up, I hope I will be more have fully committed. I figure if I do this race in June, and then maintain over the summer, I will be well poised to launch into bigger training for a late-fall marathon. Whew. Wish me luck.
2- Write regularly. My goal is to spend about 3-5 hours a week. Seemed pretty manageable when I set the goal, but I haven't done it yet, so... I am not quite certain how to ensure I do this, except that maybe saying it out-loud and committing to it publicly will help. I hope so.
3- Spend one-on-one time each day with each of my kids and talking to my husband. Let me just say, this may be the most difficult goal of all. It seems so simple, but it is not. I have to stop and think, what did I do today with Elsie Jane? Fixing food, dressing, cleaning, etc. is not what I intend. I intend to spend time when I stop regular household tasks and just focus on each child. Time to read a story or play a game. With Jeffrey this means having a real conversation (my goal is just 20-30 minutes) when we aren't interrupted by children and he doesn't fall asleep! Easier said than done. By the time Mia gets home from school, plays, has dinner, washes dishes, gets ready for bed, I often realize we did not really have our moment together. I am always trying to remember and fit in this important time, but so far, I have not done as well as I like.
I am thinking I need to make myself some charts with stickers like I do for the kids so I can track my progress. Or assign a friend to be a task master and regularly quiz me on my progress. Or... I don't know. How do I hold myself more accountable and remember all the things that I am trying to regularly do to improve myself each day, without making myself crazy?
2 comments:
I know how you feel. I think goal number three is also the most important. Lately the days have gone by so fast and when I look back on my day I find that I didn't do any one on one time either. Something I used to do and need to do more often is the bedtime routine. I used to take 20 or so minutes with each kid at bedtime. I would read a story and just listen to them or tell as story. It would end up being a good hour worth of time but time well spent. It helped me feel connected to them. Now I just demand they get into bed and it has made our nights not very peaceful. I guess being tired and cranky myself, I haven't felt much like taking that extra time. But thanks sooooooooo much for your goal. It has now motivated me to get back to my goal.
In fact, I am going up right now and taking a few minutes to be by each of their side. I can hear all of them talking so I am pretty sure none are asleep.
Good job on your goals. Those are great goals. I wish I could run even a half marathon. I have never been a runner. I love to speed walk but running? I don't last long.
And you do great with your writing. You always impress me with it. I think making a list is a great way to fit in things that seem like they won't fit into the schedule.
My prayers are with you as you strive to be a better person and as you work hard to accomplish something. It always makes me feel so powerful when I can accomplish a goal I have set out to do. GOOD LUCK.
great goals. imho you should have a friend check up with you regularly. a few years ago I had a friend and both of us wanted to kick the habit of yelling. so we would meet together often and talk about successes and not so great successes however, after every conversation both of us would come away feeling rejuvenated and wanting to do better. my relationships with my kids and everyone improved dramatically. that was a great friendship back then and I miss that sometimes as it's important when we want to do good that we surround ourselves with those who will provide positive support and honest feedback.
as far as spending time with the littles... I know you don't homeschool but have you heard of "before five in a row"? fiveinarow.com it's for preschoolers and usually 20 minutes a day usually of reading a particular childrens book and then doing a craft etc. you probably know how to think of those things on your own but the book is a great resource. that's what I do with Benjamin for his special time (with the girls I use five in a row but that is part of our homeschool curriculum and takes a lot longer). And as far as husbands, that is a great goal. I'm going to add that to my list.
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