One of my big goals for 2015 is to be more home focused. We made some significant changes in December to make this desire of mine become a reality. And I’m almost 6 weeks into 2015 and I just can’t even begin to express how thrilled I am at the difference these changes have made!
The last two years have been r-e-a-l-l-y stretching for me on so many different levels. And I don’t regret the decisions we prayerfully made for me to be on the road or as involved in as many projects as I was. I grew so much and God was so faithful, even in those times when it felt that it was physically and emotionally possible to do everything we felt He was clearly calling me and our family to.
But in December, I really felt that the season was coming to an end and I feel so settled about it. I’ll still be traveling and speaking some, developing a few new products, and working on a few big projects, but we’re really streamlining this year and being incredibly picky about which opportunities I’m saying “yes” to.
We only set a few business goals (as opposed to our long list of goals last year!), and we’re also bringing on some new team members (God has brought some of the most amazing and perfectly-suited people my way in January and I’m so grateful!)
All this to say, I’m loving this new season of life and soaking it up. And I’m also loving that there is much more margin in most of my days, we’re spending so much time together as a family (often just hanging out and being together!), and that I’m doing a much better job of getting my goals crossed off.
I’m so content at such a deep level. And I’m so grateful.
It feels like such a gift to have this season of reprieve and I’m humbly grateful that, after years of Jesse and I working so hard, we’re finally at a place where we can both work a lot less and carve out the lifestyle that we feel like God has called us to and the rhythm of life where each of us will best thrive.
Last week’s goals:
Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals
1. Continue on with our Morning Time routine. Read aloud for at least 20 minutes every day.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
3. Have a family movie night.
4. Work with the kids to help them learn their new chores (we just added a few new chores to each of our kids’ daily lists and Silas, especially, is needing a little extra help learning how to do the chores.)Personal Goals
5. Exercise at least 4 times.
6. Finish at least two books.
7. Knit a Cosy Posy Ear Warmer. (I’m hoping to finally get this started this week!)
8. Try two new Trim Healthy Mama recipes: Raw Cookie Dough and Peanut Butter Pancakes.Business Goals
9. Get back with bloggers interested in the ePantry opportunity.
10. Tweak my presentations and slides for the Friday night Say Goodbye to Survival Mode event in Mississippi.
This week’s goals:
Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals
1. Continue on with our Morning Time routine. Read aloud for at least 20 minutes every day.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
3. Have a date with Jesse.
4. Write a note of encouragement to one person.
Personal Goals
5. Exercise at least 4 times.
6. Finish at least two books.
7. Knit a Cosy Posy Ear Warmer. (I’m hoping to finally get this started this week!)
8. Try two new recipes: Trim Healthy Mama Waffles and Hot Fudge Pie.
Business Goals
9. Shoot a short video for a project I’m working on.
10. Finish up edits on the script/handbook on my soon-to-be-released course. (More details coming soon! I’m SO excited about this and how it’s coming together thanks to a great team who is putting so much heart and effort into it!)
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.
Sarah J. Moeller says
Hey, just really digging in to your blog–it is wonderful, and so helpful. I am so happy for you to be really enjoying this season of life, and can’t wait to get to that myself.
I was just wondering, is this what you meant to say: “I grew so much and God was so faithful, even in those times when it felt that it was physically and emotionally possible to do everything we felt He was clearly calling me and our family to.” ? Seems like maybe you meant to say “impossible” or maybe “not physically…”.
Thanks again for such a helpful blog.
Sarah
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for catching that typo — and thanks for your sweet encouragement!
Cari says
Glad to hear you have more margin and more family time! Enjoy this season! Thank you for your weekly goals posts. They have really helped me come up with my own goals.
Jenny @ Women With Intention says
Great job on your goals last week! This is really motivating to me to keep working on my goals that sometimes seem so daunting but every little hill moves me closer to the mountain. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
Thank you for your kind encouragement!
Anita says
Your blogposts are always motivating to me. I am glad you are in a calmer time of your life. Here are a lot of changes on the roll, not sure how everything turns out. I am thinking of it as a new adventure in hour life.
Crystal Paine says
New adventures can be a good thing — and that’s a great way to approach those changes!
Jen says
I got sick and fell off the wagon a bit..but after seeing your post I’m ready to get back on track with my goals! On the bright side, I did accomplish my reading goals since I was lounging/resting so much while trying to get better. Now I just need to work on cleaning up my house and doing laundry!
Crystal Paine says
Here’s to hoping you feel better this week and have a productive week this week!
Misty Nicole Roberts says
I love this post! Currently I’m struggling in a few areas of my life, for which I have started to streamline. I have started changing up my weekly schedule. I now pre-plan posts for my blog, and to get my hours completed for my job ahead of schedule, so that my weekends are free. My husband, Daniel, noticing how frazzled I was suggested that I starting re-purposing my weekends, where Saturday’s are for my hobbies, and Sunday’s for worship and family, so we can all be completely unplugged from all outside interests, and ending my business days by five o’clock so I have time to unwind. Though I work-from-home, it’s harder that it seems. I find myself sometimes still working past ten pm, so I’m a work in progress. With all of the said and done, I have now started explaining to others why my weekends are sacrosanct, why I am choosing to live a more traditional lifestyle to others, and it bothers me. It’s hard to put into words what living a more contented life is like. I am always impressed by your candor and advice, Crystal! Thank you for such an awesome, timely post!
Crystal Paine says
I SO hear you on the working-from-home thing making it hard to shut down at 5 p.m. Way to go on making changes that are impacting you in such a positive way and thank you for your kind encouragement!
Vickie @ Vickie's Kitchen and Garden says
I love that you have found something that works for you and it has managed to give you more time. Something we all need to strive for.
Thanks for the linkup -I accidentally linked twice (first one last week’s) . Sorry about that.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for linking up!
Stacy @ A Delightful Home says
This sounds like such a wonderful time in your life! I’m so happy for you!
I’m also extremely inspired.
Think I’ll go and write up some goals now 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I’m cheering for you! You can do it!
Shauna Read says
I am really happy for you. It is great when we are in a stage of life that we makes us happy. I am LOVING all of the personal posts!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement!