I found many nuggets of truth as I read Tribes by Seth Godin last week. Here’s one quote I was especially inspired by:
“There doesn’t seem to be a shortage of ideas. Ordinary folks can dream up remarkable stuff fairly easily. What’s missing is the will to make the ideas happen. -Seth Godin, Tribes, page 42
Written, specific goals put feet to your dreams. And for me personally, when I have a list of realistic written goals for each week, I’m much more motivated–and I get a lot more done. Plus, it’s so encouraging to look back on the week and see that chipping away at my goals each day resulted in many completed projects at the end of a week!
Here’s last week’s goal list:
Mothering Goals
1. Finish reading The Courage of Sarah Noble aloud to the children. (In case you’re attentive and noticed I changed our read aloud goal from last week: I got mixed up on our assigned reading for homeschooling and thought it was Sarah: Plain and Tall when, in looking over the school plan last Monday, I realized it was supposed to be The Courage of Sarah Noble.)
2. Take children on a field trip.
Personal Goals
3. Run 12 miles (total).
4. Finish reading All the Money in the World and Tribes.
5. Finish embroidering quilt block for my sister’s baby quilt.
6. Work on Rag Quilt.
Home Management Goals
7. Spend 10 minutes picking up/cleaning our bedroom/bathroom every day
Business Goals
8. Shoot video for 31 Weeks to a Better Grocery Budget series.
9. Finish putting together talk for a speaking engagement next week. (I worked on it, but it’s not finished yet.)
10. Put together a list of speaking topics and speaking page. (In case you’re interested, the finished Speaking Schedule Page is here.)
And here are my goals for this week:
Family/Mothering Goals
1. Finish reading The Imagination Station: Problems in Plymouth aloud to the children.
2. Go to see Courageous (Note: we were planning to take the whole family, but thanks to some commentor’s input, it may just be my husband and I going.)
3. Work on our current habit training project.
Personal Goals
4. Run 12 miles (total).
5. Finish reading EntreLeadership, Eat Mor Chikin, and Womanly Dominion.
6. Listen to Poke the Box audiobook.
7. Finish Rag Quilt.
Home Management Goals
8. Spend 10 minutes picking up/cleaning our bedroom/bathroom every day (I’ve really been working with the children on keeping their room/bathroom cleaned and I realized that I’ve not been setting the best example for them!).
Business Goals
9. Shoot video for 31 Weeks to a Better Grocery Budget series.
10. Finish putting together talk + handouts for a speaking engagement this week.
How did you do on last week’s goals? What are your goals for this week? If you feel comfortable doing so, I’d love to have you share your progress on last week’s goals and your goals for this coming week in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on to live purposeful and productive lives!
You can download a free customizable weekly goal-planning sheet here.
Karen @MSEnthusiast says
Hi,
Here’s a Seth Godin video. This explains the crux of the Purple Cow. Have you ever watched Ted Talks on youtube? Just sharing. I try to watch videos while I do laundry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBIVlM435Zg&NR=1
Crystal says
Thanks for sharing!
Betsy @ Romance on a Dime says
I think I often confuse goals with what’s on my to-do list (which I always have a million and one things I want to do)!! I sat down this morning and came up with goals for the month of October. Then, as each week approaches I will set goals for that week that link up with my monthly goal.
My goals for October are:
Faith:
– Spend at least 5 min./day sitting quietly and meditating on God’s Word.
– Pray with my husband “in the moment.”
Family:
– Find a book to read on Raising Kids (we are going to start trying next June – anyone want to recommend a book?)
– Read Sheet Music by Kevin Leman
Health:
– Exercise at least 3 times a week, for a total of 12 days in October.
– Cut back on how much I am eating. (I am doing this by serving my dinner portion before my husband does. That way I don’t see how much he is taking – I think it’s been affecting me.)
Finances:
– Spend no more in each category than budgeted.
– Save up in my personal money account.
Work:
– Substitute teach 3 days/week as often as possible.
– Continue updating my pianotutor website and seeking students.
– Organize Favorite Recipes (eventually creating an ebook).
Gretchen says
Thank you for doing this week after week!
Here is my list:
http://extraordinaryordinarylife.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-12-goals-for-last-week-in-september.html
Pam says
Love your weekly list – I do something similar and I find it helps me focus and accomplish what needs to be accomplished – I don’t get as sidetracked!
I was planning on taking my kids (4&7) to Dolphin Tale, so glad to hear it’s a good one!
alisa says
Thank you for being an inspiration at the risk of exposing yourself!
Sabrina says
I love your list every week. Thank you for posting them! Your 1 load of laundry a day goal that you posted a while ago inspired me and the results have been amazing. I just posted about it today. I can’t remember who gave you the idea but thank you to her/him and thank you for writing about it!
Kari says
Our family was also planning on seeing Courageous with our church Friday night. It sounds like we may need to reevaluate our plans. I checked PluggedinOnline and couldn’t find a review for it. Is it not available yet or am I just missing it?
Melinda says
Thanks for posting the goals – it’s really fun & inspiring to see them and I appreciate your ongoing vulnerability. Blessings!
Karen @MSEnthusiast says
You are such an avid reader! I love Seth Godin. Have you ever read The Purple Cow? I highly recommend that book. :0)
Crystal says
No, but now that I’ve read 1.5 of his books, I want to read more!
Karen @MSEnthusiast says
I LOVED THAT BOOK! I’ll have to get Tribes. Do you shoot to read a set number of books per month? What other book of his did you read?
Denise C. says
This weeks goals are pretty simple (hopefully they stay that way) for me.
1. Clean all 4 bathrooms. DONE. YAY!
2. I was down with a migraine all weekend, so I was not able to run/workout (something my sanity depends on daily) so…..workout/run daily. I am beginning marathon training in a few weeks and will have a different set of running milage to do.
3. Continue meal planning and eating at home. YAY another goal I am completing! I’ve given my family a “eat out once per pay period” and we used it up. I stocked our fridge/freezer/pantry and we have been eating very well. Yum!
Happy Monday! 🙂
Dawn says
I’m glad the ladies chimed in about the movie. We haven’t even let our children see Fireproof because of the intensity of the fights between the couple and because of the nature of his addiction. They do love the first 2 movies from Sherwood Prod., but the last one and this one will be withheld from them for several more years.
Jay says
On your speaking page, right under the event and the date, it would be most helpful to have the city & state so that we can quickly peruse whether you will be in our neighborhood! (Of course I could quickly figure out where the Cincinnati one is!)
Laura @ Unpunctuated Life says
My husband and I have a date-day planned for Saturday to go have lunch (with a BOGO entree coupon!), wander around Ikea, and see Courageous. I can’t wait! I’ve had its premier date on my calendar since I first heard about it.
Jean says
After reading your posts on goals for the last few weeks, I finally made some goals for myself last week. I’m usually not a great goal setter/meeter, so I’ve avoided them. So afraid that I will fail, I’ve wasted a lot of my time. I knew that I would need to be successful, because success builds more success. I knew my goals needed to be few in number and easily attainable, so these are the three that I set. 1) Deep clean and organize the master bath (drawers, shelves, etc) 2) Do 1 load of laundry a day 3) Clean sink and counters each night.
I was able to accomplish all of them except the laundry. I’m pretty sure I did 7 loads of laundry, just not 1 each day! I think I may like this goal-setting thing…I’m thinking of keeping these same goals for the next week, but change the bathroom project for my pantry. I would like some of these things to not just be goals, but become habits…
Thank you for sharing your ups and downs with your goals. It’s good for me to see that you don’t meet your goals each week, but you press on and persevere. It’s good to remember that we are to “forget those things which are behind, and press on!”
Crystal says
You can do it! I’m cheering for you!
And that’s my hope–that the goals become habits. Slowly but surely, right?!
Denise C. says
“And that’s my hope–that the goals become habits.” This works with something I am dealing with now. I’ll admit it, I tend to have a potty mouth and I am not proud of it. I hate having it. This is an on going goal, that I hope is completed soon.
Davonne says
I’ve gone to the Cincinnati Homeschool Convention for the past two years and am planning on going again in April – I’m so excited that you will be speaking there (if you get a chance to attend any classes, Jobe Martin is GREAT).
After you and one other blogger I admire (VickiCourtney.com) posting about Courageous, I am now convinced that I must go see it with my husband 🙂
I always enjoy seeing your weekly goals!
Crystal says
Yay! I hope to get to meet you there!
kj says
I don’t know if your family will be going with you, but the Creation Museum is over there. I can’t say enough about it. It is wonderful. We don’t live in that area, but we have been there twice. I am eager to go again. I’m trying to remember when the Noah’s Ark will be completed…maybe by the time you are there?
Crystal says
We’re hoping to make it to the Creation Museum when we’re there!
kj says
We had the honor of hearing Ken Ham (creation museum creator) speak at a conference my husband and I attended. We heard him two nights and wished he was going to speak more. Wonderful, intellegent man. In the book store at the museum, Ken Ham has wonderful, quality creation books for children that go great with science for homeschooling or just reading.
There is also a book called Feminine Appeal (Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother) by Carolyn Mahaney. Excellent, excellent read. I know you can probably get those books on Amazon, the museum is where we picked them up. 🙂 Anyway, hope you have a great time.
Julia says
I need to finish reading womanly dominion as well! What a great book… judging from the half I’ve read thus far.
Cambria Hazard says
I tried the link to download the goal sheet, but it kept saying page not found. Where should I look?
Crystal says
My apologies on that! Here’s the correct link: https://moneysavingmom.com/2011/08/free-printable-weekly-goal-planning-sheet.html
Cambria Hazard says
Thank you!
april says
I have so much to do this week, I dont know where to start!
1. catch up on library books
2. get started on making crafts for a show next friday
3. clean off desk
4, orgnize coupons
5. wash curtains
6. photograph and list stuff on craigslist
7. go see a movie with hubby, no kids!
If I accomplish those 7 on top of normal stuff, Ill be doing a happy dance
Carrie Bergherm says
Dolphin Tale! I want to take my boys to see that. We’re just doing a unit on whales – focusing on dolphins this week. That would be a great movie to add to our unit!
Got my new To-Do list here:
http://berghermlife.blogspot.com/2011/09/more-to-do.html
Jessica says
Here’s my goals:
http://jandjnewleaf.blogspot.com/2011/09/life-style-goals-for-this-week_25.html
Trish @ Finances With Funk says
http://www.financeswithfunk.com/2011/09/26/weekly-goals-926-edition/
Trish @ Finances With Funk says
I meant to leave a comment with that. Wow it is so Monday!
Last week was my last week of a two month period of time where I have been stretched beyond belief and I have decided to alter a few things in my process with the hope for more efficient progress on a few focused things rather than stretched to try to do a million and only do 1/10th well. Funny how that works.
Danielle says
I just wanted to share – I don’t think Courageous is meant for kids. You may not have known that, so I wanted to let you know! 🙂
Willa@ArmstrongFamilyFare says
I’m so excited to see that you’ll be at the Cincinnati Homeschool Conference!! I went last year and it was a wonderful conference. I’m hoping that my husband will be able to attend with me this year as there are so many wonderful resources there! We haven’t officially started homeschooling yet, our children are ages 2 & 5 mo, but we are excited about doing so in the future! It will be great to get to hear you speak. I’ve read your blog for years (back when you were blogging at Biblical Womanhood) and highly respect you! Maybe we should do a Money Saving Mom reader’s meet-up in Cincy while you’re here!
Crystal says
I’d love to do a reader meet-up! Once we get the travel details hammered out, I’ll definitely see if it can be worked out.
I’ll look forward to meeting you there hopefully!
Davonne says
If you do a reader meet-up, please let me know!! I would LOVE that! And I’m sure the hubby would keep the kids if it’s a girls night out 🙂
Lucky @ Making My Own Luck says
My DH and I have the chance to see a real movie out next weekend — I think we’re going to see Moneyball though. I think movies about math nerds may even more rare than wholesome family friendly ones!
I love these goals lists. Not only do I get more done, I am more careful about getting side-tracked on something because I ask myslef “How will this help me accomplish my goal?”. Here’s my progress from last week and my list for this week:
http://cookingluck.blogspot.com/2011/09/saving-money-this-week.html
Emily says
Just wondering what made you decide to take your young children to a movie that is rated PG-13 for violence and drug content?
Crystal says
We didn’t realize it was rated PG-13, so we appreciate you bringing that to our attention. We’ve seen all of the other Sherwood Pictures films and our children loved them and those we know who have seen the pre-screenings of Courageous said it was wonderful, as well. But we’re going to research it out more before deciding whether to bring our children or not.
Thank you again!
Jessica says
I’m reading Womanly Dominion right now too! The chapters on motherhood have been very encouraging. What do you think of it?
Mary Jo says
I *LOVED* Womanly Dominion. It was by far one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Trixie says
We are going to see Courageous this Saturday. My husband and I have not been to a theater in years but want to go to put our dollar where our mouth is so to speak. Plus it seems like it would be a great show too.
Johnlyn says
Inspired by your previous posts, I decided to add some goals to my menu planning post called Intentional Living…here’s my post:
http://www.hummingbirdhomemaking.com/2011/09/homemaking-menu-plan-and-intentional.html
NICKI says
Crystal, you’ve mentioned marraige goals, as well, but don’t post them…is that intentionally kept personal?
Crystal says
Yes. 🙂
angela r says
wow- I never comment.. now I’m on a roll! Crystal… I AM SO BUMMED. We would soooo be seeing you at the cincinati home school convention… but of course… baby #5 will be making his/her appearance about right then! UGH. oh well maybe another time and yeah for you and public speaking!
Lindsey says
Huge fan of goals!! My husband was the one that got me started making goals…it definitely helps keep you focus and actually accomplish tasks!!
Erin says
Yes, I too am curious as to why you will take your young children to see a Pg-13 rated movie?
Jean says
She didn’t realize it was PG-13 and she is re-evaluating. Crystal has posted in the comments above… FYI.
carrie says
Crystal,
I am really proud of you for developing into a regular public speaker. I remember in the past you saying that you did not feel comfortable doing speaking engagements.
Crystal says
Thanks for your kind words. One of my goals is to make myself step out of my comfort zone–and I’m getting *lots* of opportunities to do that in my life right now. 🙂 But I’m learning that the more I step out and do things that feel really hard, the more comfortable I become with them. And honestly, I’m actually starting to really *like* public speaking. {That’s certainly something I never thought I’d say!}
angela r says
Are you taking all your children? Are my children sheltered? I’d think that maybe the action/police drama etc might be too much for them. my kids are 8,6, 3 and 18 mo. older 2 would be ok, but I’m impressed that Silas would sit through all that? Just curious.
Elizabeth says
There are scenes with drug paraphernalia and gang violence… I don’t think it is appropriate for young kids. The MPAA gave it a PG-13 for drugs and violence. But that’s just me… maybe my son is sheltered too.
angela r says
thanks Elizabeth.. in hindsight to my comment… I didn’t want to infer my opinion on others… just wondering how people take small children to theaters and get along… no wanting to start a discussion on movie ratings and appropriateness..
Crystal- I apologize for any offense.
Heather says
I think it depends on the kid. My two year old wouldn’t make it through any movie at the theatre, even a cartoon.
Crystal says
I’d recommend looking up reviews on PluggedInOnline.com before taking your children. We didn’t realize it was rated PG-13, so we’re going to investigate more before deciding whether or not we’re going to take our children.
Amy B says
I love PluggedInOnline.com. It is great for researching movies before you take your kids! They break down their reviews by violence, language, sexual content, etc. It is very thorough and very helpful.
Hope says
On the movi trailers Sherwood put out to churches, they actually say we would not recommend viewing by anyone under 13. My husband is reading the book and I plan to next. He says there are many great points but definitely not a movie for kiddos.
Crystal says
Thank you; that was so helpful to know!
Debbie says
Courageous was the most AWSOME movie ever. I got to see a pre-screening and loved every minute of it. Please, please, please go support this movie this weekend. These guys do such a great job making these movies. It is now my children’s favorite movie.
melissa says
What’s it about? I don’t follow movies at all but if it’s worthwhile, I’m all ears.
Di @ DoofyDizee says
I have really only have 3 goals this week:
a) Pick up the house before bed
b) Do two loads of laundry
c) Match the basket of socks (I am currently in sock-crisis. Almost had to send my big boy off to school with mismatched socks….)
carrie says
Almost sent him to school w/all mismatched socks? If you’ve never done that, you’re already a domestic goddess in my book.
Heather says
Matching socks is a job I recently handed over to my older kids, and I love it! They are 8 and 6.
Jessica Claire says
I went on strict bed rest early last December and I haven’t matched socks again. I asked for TONS and TONS of matching socks from our family members for Christmas. Mine are black, my husbands are white, and my sons socks are gray. It has worked out really great for us. And now there is no crying because we can’t find the other Spider Man or (insert favorite character here) pair of socks! This may sound mean not to get my son character or funky socks but I think this has been the best idea I have ever come up with. lol
beth b says
I love the 10 minutes picking up everyday. 😉 My goal for September and October is deep cleaning my house. I’m doing really well with just one or two tasks or 15 minutes a day. At the end of this week everything will be done except the kitchen. That will probably take all of October with the things I want to get done. I’ve also met MT goal of establishing weekly cleaning routines again.
My progress on my knitting, reading, and spiritual goals hasn’t been so great but some if that is unrealistic expectations. I should have realizes a month when I work a lot evening and need to sleep during the 2 y/o’s nap is unlikely to yield tons of “free” time. Ah well, lesson learned which is always a goal, right?
su says
If you all could see Courageous during it’s opening weekend that would be great. Christians are trying to show Hollywood that we want and will go see good, wholesome, family movies if they make them.
Have fun!
Crystal says
Yes, that’s why we’re going this weekend. And that’s why we went to Dolphin Tale last weekend. We don’t usually go to movie theaters, but we’re happy to spend the money to support family-friendly films!
melissa says
How was Dolphin Tale? My daughter would love to see anything about dolphins, but I didn’t know how family friendly it was. I’m guessing it was okay if you all went to see it.
Crystal says
It was excellent! I’d highly recommend it–especially if your daughter loves dolphins.
April D. says
We went to see it this weekend but one line that Morgan Freeman said ‘Swim Stupid Fish’ just ruined it for me. I dislike that word and try really hard to stress to my little girl that that is not an appropriate word. We loved the story and having a child with a disability it was nice to see a movie address those things and be able to talk with her about some of those things. Great teachable moments.
My husband and I are also planning on see Courageous this coming Sunday with our church. Having seen the other Sherwood films and being inspired we feel as though this will not disappoint.
RuthAnn says
I really don’t want to sound like I’m telling you what your family should do- but my husband and I saw an early screening of Courageous back in May for Pastors and those in ministry. It is an incredible story… but likely nothing like Dolphin Tale (my sister-in-law saw that one and gave me the run-down!). It’s not about the children. It’s really about the men, and then their families.
Courageous is an extremely moving and emotional, and intense film- great for you and your husband. But my 7, 5, & 3 year olds will not be watching it for quite a few years.
While it “works” through all of the intense themes within it in a Biblically sound way, it has violence, and just an intensity I wouldn’t be able to sit my children through. I left with a headache the degree of a migraine simply from crying and going through the emotions of this film…
those are just my thoughts! I wanted to share my personal experience if that would help you with leading your family. We are also going this opening weekend to support it, just not taking the kids!
(Some of the other films this church group has put out: Facing the Giants and FlyWheel have some thematic elements, but don’t hold a candle to the level of this one. It’s really about fathers stepping up to lead their families. Taking older kids could have really positive results!!)
Leslie says
I wanted to caution you for Courageous as well but this is well put. Saw an early screening and would not be comfortable taking my children (ages 5 and 7) to see it. Very intense for even me in some scenes!
Crystal says
I really appreciate this review. Everyone who has seen pre-screenings has raved about it so we just assumed it was family-friendly like the other Sherwood Film movies. So good to know!
Debbie L. says
I concur with the above. I attended an early screening too. I loved the movie but as the others have said, it’s intense. I was on an emotional roller coaster :). My kids are 6 1/2, 4 1/2 and 2 and I wouldn’t take them until they were much older just due to the intensity level. You will love it though. It’s really well-done.
Melissa Jones says
I didn’t notice it when this posted a few days ago, but a day or two later, it came to mind that you were planning on taking your kids to this movie and it’s taken me a few days to come back here and comment. I’m glad someone else commented in my place! It’s an absolutely fabulous movie. I was expecting it to be trite and predictable and was completely floored by the quality not only of the production, but of the writing and even the acting. BUT it is rated PG for a reason and that reason is NOT language (there isn’t any crude language at all). I would not say that it is violent (in terms of gratuitous, bloody gore), but it is definitely intense. The final scene literally took my breath away, and I’m not one who easily “suspends disbelief.” It is definitely NOT for small children. It deals with non-sexual adult themes throughout, so even if they weren’t bothered by the intensity, they just wouldn’t understand much of what is happening. I definitely encourage you and your husband to go see it, but I would definitely encourage you and all others to leave the children at home.
Jasmine @ Ponder the Path says
Thank you so much for your thoughts. I have two older teenagers who are excited to see it. Maybe we’ll take them to see it, then the younger kids to see Dolphin Tales (although the big kids might want to go too : )
Amy B says
What ages is Courageous for? The trailer I saw looked pretty intense for little ones.
Amy says
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I did read the novel, and I definitely won’t be taking my kids (4 and 6). I think it will be more appropriate for teens. The main characters are cops who deal with drug dealers, car chases and gun battles, and deaths within families. As someone said above, everything is handled Biblically, but the point of the movie is to show that although our men are our leaders, even though they handle extreme stress at work. They are challenged Biblically to step up to the plate and be “great” fathers, not just to go through the motions. I can’t wait to go see it with my husband – but it will be years before our kids see it.