So I really, really bombed my goals last week. I started the week with high hopes and then those high hopes were quickly dashed by lots of unexpected interruptions, more pressing life things, and just plain tiredness.
I was kind of embarrassed to even post this update, but I figured maybe seeing so few things crossed off my list would encourage some of you who may be feeling like last week was a blur, too! So here goes…
Last week’s goals:
Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals
1. Read 3 chapters of The Stolen Necklace aloud to Kathrynne. Read 3 chapters of Still More Stories From Grandma’s Attic aloud to Kaitlynn. Read 10 picture books to Silas. Read at least 3 chapters of A Way Through the Sea aloud to the kids.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
3.
Have a playdate with friends.Personal Goals
4. Finish reading Whose Voice the Waters Heard, Greater, Fully Alive, The Promise of a Mother’s Prayers,
Return, and Now, Discover Your Strengths.
5. Finish listening to Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard.
6. Exercise at least five times.
Homemaking Goals
7. Finish 25 more rows of the scarf I’m working on knitting.
8. Make at least two new recipes.
9. Have a garage sale.Business Goals
10. Write three posts for other sites.
Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals
1. Read 3 chapters of The Stolen Necklace aloud to Kathrynne. Read 3 chapters of Still More Stories From Grandma’s Attic aloud to Kaitlynn. Read 10 picture books to Silas. Read at least 3 chapters of A Way Through the Sea aloud to the kids.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
Personal Goals
3. Finish reading Whose Voice the Waters Heard, Greater, Fully Alive, The Promise of a Mother’s Prayers, and Now, Discover Your Strengths.
4. Finish listening to Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard.
5. Exercise at least five times. Start Couch to 10 K.
6. Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night (I figured out some of my tiredness is a result of just plain not getting enough sleep — so I’m aiming to do what I can to resolve that issue this week!)
Homemaking Goals
7. Finish 25 more rows of the scarf I’m working on knitting.
8. Make at least two new recipes.
9. Host a baby shower.
Business Goals
10. Write three posts for other sites.
How did you do on last week’s goals? What are your goals for this week? I’d love to have you share your progress on last week’s goals and your goals for this coming week in the comments. Of, if you’ve blogged about it, leave your direct link below. Let’s cheer each other on to live purposeful and productive lives!
You can download a free customizable weekly goal-planning sheet here.
Amy Looney says
Don’t feel bad, Crystal. I have been struggling with my goals as well. It seems like when it rains, it pours! I kept my goals almost exactly what they were last week. I’m hoping I get more accomplished!
JP says
My goals for the week
Personal Goals
1. Go out with friends 3 times (2 DONE)
2. Read Section 3 of Ray Dalio’s principles
3. Comple financial plan
Business Goals
1. Complete 3 posts (1 Done)
2. Provide feedback on website design (DONE)
3. Provide options for colors and fonts
4. Attend networking event and meet blogger
5. Write post on Marie Forleo’s course
Work Goals
1. Meet with client (DONE)
2. Draft transition pages
3. Assist with recruiting
4. Submit mid-year
5. Reach out to counselors for other people’s mid-year reviews
JP says
My goals for the week include:
Personal
1. Read next section 3 of Ray Dalio’s principles
2. Head out for 3 networking events/meeting up with friends
3. Complete financial plan
Business
1. Attend networking event of one of my favorite bloggers and introduce myself
2. Write 3 posts
3. Provide feedback on website design
4. Identify colors and font options
5. Write review of Marie Forleo’s class
Work
1. Meet with client
2. Draft transition pages (About 4)
3. Submit mid year review
4. Write to counselors of colleagues for mid-year review
Shelly says
A few weeks ago I had a week with only a few of my goals accomplished. It was one of those weeks that I felt I was running each day just to keep up with what absolutely needed to be done. I am glad to hear that others have weeks that just don’t go as planned.
I hope this week is a better week for you.
JP says
Hi Crsytal – thanks for the post. I was reading through your Time Management 101 series and was curious, do you set aside buffer time? Put another way, do you under schedule?
I see that in planning your blogging time that you have 45 minutes for extra items. Do you do this with your overall day?
Also, this may be a bit tactical, but how do you measure your time? Do you track it with a piece of paper or simply glance at the clock?
Thanks!
Crystal says
Yes, I try to always include 2 hours of margin time in my day. And I typically have my day planned out hour by hour and then use a timer during our homeschooling time, our cleaning time, and my blogging time to keep us/me on track.
JP says
Thanks. Very impressive!
Michelle @ Lists I Live By says
I love crossing things off my list with a red pen. Sometimes that is the only thing that motivates me to get up and do something!
Sharon says
If I were having a garage sale, that would be my only goal for the week. They are a lot of work!
Gina says
It’s routinely two steps forward, one step back for me. Goals help me keep moving. It’s all too easy for me to fritter away time. I appreciate everyone sharing their goals here, because I often learn and consider new things! I’m a creature of habit and easily settle into routines which turn into ruts. :/
Keisha says
It’s the same way for me too Gina! It’s so motivating, inspiring and encouraging to read and gain ideas from others. Some weeks I do a great job at my goals, others not so great. But listing them, helps to keep the thought in the back of my mind…”I’m going to have to do an update so let me get moving!” 🙂
Victoria@Snailpacetransformations says
I see starting the 10K program is on your list. Have you ran in a community 5K yet? Do you do all your running on your treadmill? or do you head outside? I call the treadmill at the Y I work out at the “dread tread” I prefer outside running.
Crystal says
I was supposed to in September but something came up and I couldn’t do the race I was planning to do. I’m for sure doing a race in October, though. Hold me to that, okay?! 🙂
I prefer running outside, but I usually opt for the treadmill because of Jesse’s schedule.
Abby Larsen says
I love your goals, it makes me want to set goals. I am going to start. I think it would help me see what I am accomplishing rather than feeling like I didn’t get much done.
Litty says
Giving this a go… I’m great at setting goals just not tracking them!
The Prudent Homemaker says
I had a week like that, too!
I didn’t have any books to read on my list, but since I wasn’t feeling well, I read 5 of them last week!
It was still a great week!
Mackenzie says
Good luck with your goals!
It’s cool that you are knitting a scarf. That’s one thing I wish I knew how to do 🙂
Brandi @ Savvy Student Shopper says
Good luck with your scarf!
25 rows -that’s a big goal! (Or at least it is for me 😉 )
Crystal says
It’s over halfway done! If I can just remember to pull it out when I’m talking with friends or watching a movie with Jesse, I should be able to get the thing done in the next few weeks!
Stacy @ A Delightful Home says
Don’t be embarrassed! That’s how life goes some of the time. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I don’t know if having a garage sale had anything to do with how your week turned out, but every time I try to have one, it turns my life upside down for a few days!
Crystal says
Yes, it was a big undertaking for a few days — especially since it involved lots of extra people in and out of our house for two days (i.e. family members who were doing the garage sale with us. 🙂
Chelsea says
I got quite a few goals done, but I set my “last week’s” goals three weeks ago, and I’ve been working on them since, so I can relate! Sometimes you just have to give yourself grace and try again. 🙂
Trish says
Gosh dangit I feel like the last month I have been running in 10 million different directions. It’s hard to feel like your gaining traction there.
But I’ve also said a hundred times, sometimes when I feel like I have lost traction on my plan is when God is trying to show me a better one.
And looking back there was definitely always something to gain from that process.
So, Crystal, what was God trying to get you to do last week that wasn’t on your list?
Crystal says
Come to think of it, I spent a lot of time in deep face-to-face conversations with people last week… people who dropped by, people who we had over for lunch, etc. and I’m pretty sure that was much more important than lots of the things on my to-do list.
Thanks for helping encourage me to think of things from a different perspective!
Angie says
I only got half of my to-do list done last week too, and a lot of it was because we got a call from the school about my daughter writing on the desk. Not the worst thing she could do at her age (she’s in Kindergarten), but not behavior that would make a mother proud.
I started last week off on a good foot. I was excited about my list. I finally got it to a point where everything seemed ambitious yet obtainable, organized by three things I was supposed to do each day.
And then last Monday afternoon I got the call. Priorities shifted from writing, housecleaning, and ebay selling, to how my husband and I could improve our parenting strategies.
That’s a good takeaway – sometimes there are more important things that don’t get on the list.
Erica Barker says
I’m a new blogger I’m already a list maker, so setting weekly goals will be easy to start. I plan on downloading the goals sheet and get with the program!! thanks for sharing.
Crystal @ Serving Joyfully says
We all have those weeks, and yes it is somewhat encouraging to know that others have them too! Especially others who seem to have it all together 🙂
I need to start being more intentional with goals (maybe even publishing them on my blog like this)…
Crystal says
Um, sweetie, if you think I have some semblance of having it altogether it’s because you’ve not met me in real-life. 😉 All of my friends know I’m as human as they come… and you’ll figure that out really quickly at Allume. 🙂
Crystal @ Serving Joyfully says
Of course I know that no one really has it all together, but some seem closer than others! lol
But really, I think we could all have things more together if we’d prioritize and manage time better (at least I think I would!). Either way, it’s an inspiration to see someone have such a good grasp on such things, even if there are still bumps in the road.
And, I am really excited about allume and seeing you in person, after reading your blog for quite a while now. I love it b/c I started reading when I was getting started in couponing, which has come and gone in my life…so I’m glad you offer so much more than just deals on your site.
Emily says
Oh, I bombed mine last week, too – almost all of them. Some weeks are just like that. I’m working on making this week better!
Oh, and I think you can cross off “Have a garage sale” from last week, right? I believe you did that! 😉
Crystal says
Whoops, did the cross off thing not work? I thought I had that crossed off since it was about the only thing I did. Whee! I’ll go cross that off again — maybe that will make me feel a little better?!
Emily says
🙂
Gina says
🙂
JenMarie says
Believe it or not, it’s encouraging to know that I’m not the only one who has weeks like that! I love hearing about how you and others are doing with goal setting as it inspires me to keep doing it. What a difference goals make!