10 Goals For This Week {and why I’ve been AWOL when it comes to goal-setting!}

So, um, did you notice I’ve not posted any goals since July? That would be because I sort of went AWOL when it came to goal-setting in August.

But I do have some fairly valid “excuses” for taking a break from goal-setting:

• We started the month of August with just getting home from a 5-day trip, we took a 12-day trip in the middle of the month, and I ended the month with a trip to Las Vegas for my friend’s dad’s memorial service. So it felt like we just plain weren’t home much in August.
  
• We also started back to homeschooling and it’s our first year to have three different grade levels (5th grade, 3rd grade, and Kindergarten). The first two weeks were pretty brutal as we all adjusted. Gratefully, I feel like we’re starting to get back into a rhythm and routine again!
• I started writing my next book and am on a tight deadline (The manuscript is due December 1. I had months to think through and map out the idea and outline, though, and am working with an amazing ghost editor, so it’s not as audacious as it sounds. But it’s still a pretty tall order!)
• All three kids started a more rigorous fall activity schedule than we’ve done before: Kathrynne is on swim team, Kaitlynn is getting private ice-skating coaching + taking group ice-skating lessons, and Silas is on a soccer team. Each of them have 2-3 practices/games each week, as a result. I never expected our kids would be so involved with extracurricular activities, but since Jesse is home now, he is the one who is mostly in charge of these. All three kids are very committed and truly excelling at their chosen sport and we’re excited to encourage them in their interests and giftings. Plus, we’re encouraged by the character we are seeing them build as a result.

Because of these additions to our schedule, I felt like I just needed to make “making it through the month of August” my goal for last month. That’s just how you have to roll sometimes, right??

By the grace of God, I survived August in one piece and, after a few grueling weeks where I lost my patience more than I’d like to admit, we’ve rearranged some things in our schedule, I’ve re-adjusted my expectations, I’ve delegated more, and I feel much better. And I’m so very ready to get back to goal-setting!

This Week’s Goals:

Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals

1. Read 5 chapters of The Mouse and the Motorcycle aloud to the kids at lunch time.

2. Have a movie night with Jesse.

3. Write a love note to Jesse.

4. Work on decorating our house (finally!) with a generous friend who has offered to help me this weekend (because decorating is not my forte!)

Personal Goals

5. Work on reviewing and memorizing Romans 1 and Romans 2:1.

6. Finish reading I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t), Made for More, Essentialism, The Cure for the “Perfect” Life, and A Proper Pursuit.

7. Run or exercise at least 5 times.

Business Goals

8. Work on an article to submit to a magazine.

9. Put together answers for an upcoming online interview.

10. Edit chapters 1-4 of my book manuscript.

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.