I fell off the self-discipline bandwagon last week. I stayed up way too late every night and then got up late every single morning. I only exercised twice, I didn’t stay focused, and I was completely off our usual routine.
So yes, it was one of those weeks where I felt like I completely bombed life. The good news? Today starts a fresh new week and, by the grace of God, I got up early, exercised, and feel much more back on track. Now here’s to hoping the momentum can continue…
Last week’s goals:
Family/Mothering Goals
1. Finish reading The Cabin Faced West aloud to the children.
2. Work on our current habit training project.
3. Take both girls out on individual “dates” with me.Personal Goals
4. Run 12 miles (total).
5. Finish readingWomanly Dominion. Still working on EntreLeadership and He Heard Hannah (advance review copy).
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. Get new business cards printed.
Here are this week’s goals:
Family/Mothering Goals
1. Finish reading The Cabin Faced West and Sarah Witcher’s Story aloud to the children.
2. Take the children to the pumpkin patch and the corn maze (Yay for Groupons!).
Personal Goals
3. Run 10 miles (total).
4. Finish reading Angel in the Rubble, EntreLeadership, The Rose Conspiracy, He Heard Hannah, and A New Kind of Normal. (Don’t ask me why I’m being so ambitious with my reading list. But I’m hoping maybe aiming high will help me get through my huge stack of books to read faster. I have no idea whether it will work, but we’ll see!)
5. Finish Rag Quilt and knitted dishcloth.
6. Go to bed by 10 p.m. every night. (If I follow through with this simple goal, my whole week should be incredibly improved!)
Home Management Goals
7. 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!).
8. Do one load of laundry from start to finish every day.
Business Goals
9. Shoot video for 31 Weeks to a Better Grocery Budget series.
10. Outline our workshop for the Relevant conference with my husband.
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.
hi! i just wanted to add my two cents about how your blog continues to inspire me daily! i get your emails daily and love every bit of them, from coupon deals, to freezer cooking and to personal goals..etc. i have started making a weekly goal list and it seems to help {ive always been a list person, but i created catagories like yours, mothering,personal, wife/friend, etc} on top of daily goals i like to complete. i dont always complete my weekly goals {or realistically my daily goals} but i try and not beat my self up about that…{struggling to let go of perfectionism} lol. i am about 6 months pregnant now so i dont beat myself up if i dont wake up at my goal time 8-830…however, i’ve been doing great at going to bed at 10:00 even though im up throughout the night visiting the restroom…{thats understandable though in my condition} hehe. thanks again for your inspiration and keep up the good work! 🙂 katie
I was lucky, my son was away with his grandparents for a few days last week, so I got most of my list done!
This week, amongst other things, my main goal is to finish that scarf I’ve been working on forever!
Any suggestions on a book to read aloud to boys ages 5, 6 & 7? Thanks!
I did much better on my goals this week this last week thanks to deactivating my facebook!!! I think I’m going to keep it that way. I didn’t realize how many 15 minutes here and there I was losing. And it was my kids that first got me thinking about it. They do not get TV or video games, and just a few minutes of computer a week (for changing out music on their shuffles, or typing an essay). And I realized I needed to set a better example of time management!
I didn’t do so great this week either! :-/
Here’s my post about it!
http://onstaati.blogspot.com/2011/10/weekly-goal-follow-up-baking-day-and.html
Oh how I wish I was attending Relevant and could meet you in person!
I am 28 weeks pregnant and my goals are to shower every day, put the kids to bed clean and fed every night and get at least one load of laundry done every day and run the dishwasher every night. I kept trying to make a larger list and immediately feel guilty that I can’t seem to keep up. So I decided to stop making a list other than these basics:)
I’m 33.5 weeks pregnant and right there with you! Here’s my current survival plan of prioritization – (1.) feed, clothe and bathe my family, and generally try to be kind and patient with them…although I just feel like whining! Ummm…did you know morning sickness can return in last trimester – joy! (2.) do anything that has a deadline (3.) do anything others might be waiting on me to finish (4.) Crash and sleep (5.) Repeat. 🙂 Best of luck to you!
I actually did pretty good with my goals for last month, it kinda surprised me. October is such a busy month for us with 2 birthdays and a wedding anniversary; I’m not sure how my new goals will go.
My goals post is at: http://www.mastertheartofsaving.com/2011/10/06/my-goals-4-october-2011/
I am reading EntreLeadership and what a pleasant surprise to see Dave talk about you in the book. That is very exciting. Congrats.
Well, I found myself alone at home for about 5 hours today (which, with 4 children, is a very rare occurance!) so I made quite a dent in my to-do list today. What a lovely feeling!
The main goal for my week to come is to be peaceful. I want to really strive to be calm and prepared and not constantly be rushing about, bouncing from one place/activity to the next.
We’re celebrating Thanksgiving today up here in Canada and a dear woman I know lost her husband suddenly yesterday … leaving her and their two, sweet, dear daughters. This has really jolted me so my other goal for the week is to be present … to really be with my family/husband/children when I’m with them. To realize how precious every moment really is.
And a spin off of this is my goal to start some physical fitness for myself. I really owe it to my children and husband to be as healthy as I can be!
This is the first time I have shared my goals..I am hoping that it will help me to be more accountable with my time.
You can read them here:
http://savingwithpurpose.blogspot.com/2011/10/setting-goals-week-of-october-9.html
I really enjoy reading everyone’s goals and find it encouraging!
Good to know that I’m not the only one who loses my self-discipline at times. The last few weeks have been fairly hectic for me and I’ve used too many excuses for not being as organized and getting things done like I should. I’m really getting back on track this week. Ironically, I’m blogging a series called “31 Days Of Follow Through” because I really need to improve on my follow through, and I’m already behind on Day 3!! Here’s my goals:
http://letsfollowthrough.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/day-3-set-weekly-goals/
I did okay last week. We stayed on track with our meal planning and actually eating what we had planned for that night. Our grocery budget went a bit overboard, but that was because of a meat sale that we decided we needed to take advantage of, it will definitely save us money in the long run. This week I am hoping to get my coupon binder finished, the computer area cleaned up and all three kitchen counters cleared and kept clear. The last one will be the hardest!
I had a couple weeks like that last month. Just couldn’t seem to stay focused on things I’d planned to do… mainly because so many unplanned cropped up that needed to be done right then. Last week, I did pretty good though. Here’s my new list:
http://berghermlife.blogspot.com/2011/10/this-last-week-i-felt-like-i-was.html
Crystal,
Are you working from a reading list for the read alouds as they all sound excellent! If you are would you consider sharing it?
We’re using the read-alouds suggested for our homeschool curriculum (MFW Adventures) plus some others I come across.
Saw that you were reading Sarah Whitcher’s story. Our last name is Whitcher, and we are actually related to her. No biggie to many, but exciting for us.
I don’t necessarily set specific weekly goals, but I definitely had an “off” week last week, too. However, on Friday I slept for 10 hours (!!) and then caught up on cleaning and laundry on Saturday. I have a meal plan for the week and did some prep-work for it yesterday. Plus I managed to get up and exercise today! So I’m feeling much more prepared for this week….I’m going to stay on top of things!
I hear you – I can NEVER get to bed on time, then the next day is always shot. Then I end up staying up late to get it all done, and on and on the vicious cycle goes…
That’s so funny because when I looked at the highlights from last week I thought “Wow, Crystal did so many cool things this week at home.” I guess they just weren’t things you had “planned” to do.
Something must have been in the air because last week was a total wash for me too. But writing a list of things I intend to accomplish has been a great help to me. Thank you for your honesty and for the encouragement!
I had a not so great week last week too. My kids were off their game too and had the attitudes to prove it.
Here’s my goals for next week:
http://cookingluck.blogspot.com/2011/10/saving-money-challenge-and-goals-for.html
Thanks for posting this each week. It helps me a lot.
Instead of goals (which seemed to overwhelm me) I’m going with the one word concept.
http://www.hummingbirdhomemaking.com/2011/10/homemaking-menu-plan-and-intentional_09.html
(skip down past my menu plan)
There was definitely something in the air last week. It was a weird, crazy week for us too. Luckily we can all regroup and start fresh today for a new shot at completing our to-do lists.
Not just every week, but His mercies are new EVERY morning…major comfort in that! 😀
Amen! 🙂
This week’s goals:
Sewing:
Finish making a dress for my oldest
Make a jumper for her
Cut out another jumper for her
Make a velvet rose scarf for her birthday and take pictures for a pending tutorial
Make a leather mountain man bag for my son for Christmas (I got the leather this week for $1 at a garage sale)
Make a rabbit-skin quiver for the same son for Christmas
Gardening:
Clean up dead things in the garden
Weed
Plant some of my fall garden
Home: Make 3 batches laundry soap
Get laundry done, including felting several wool sweaters
Canning: Make applesauce with the rest of the apples in the garden
Website: Get a new recipe up!
I love your home made Christmas plans for your kids 🙂
Thanks! I actually have 6 children (I have 4 girls and 2 boys) and lots of homemade gifts planned including doll clothes, pajamas, library bags, slippers, a bead bracelet, and some embroidered pillows (for their beds).
I’d love to see a page on your site with your homemade Christmas ideas 🙂 I have never thought of making a completely homemade Christmas for my children. I am intrigued!!
I don’t have a place with pictures of everything I’ve made, but there is a Christmas page, which you can find here:
http://theprudenthomemaker.com/Christmas.aspx
That page also has links to all of the following, but for simplicity’s sake, here are some links:
My guest post on another blog on Christmas on a Zero Budget:
http://momsfrugal.blogspot.com/2009/11/guest-post-christmas-on-zero-budget.html
Links to tons of ideas for homesewn gifts:
http://theprudenthomemaker.com/sewingforless.aspx
I have made many of these for birthdays and Christmas gifts, and I’m making more of them this year.
Frugal gifts mostly using items you already have on hand:
http://theprudenthomemaker.com/FrugalGifts.aspx
I have made paper dolls and toys from there to put in stockings. (I have also used those paper dolls for my daughter to give as part of a birthday gift to her friends when she goes to parties).
I listed out the homemade gifts I’m planning to make on my Facebook page, but I also gave you a basic summary up above as well.
I have a birthday page still in the works (It’s taking a while to edit pictures for the page, since I have several pictures planned) and that will have some more images of some of the homemade gifts I’ve made. You can see some of them on an interview I did here:
http://blueberrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/10/interviewthe-prudent-homemaker.html
Our birthdays and Christmases are primarily homemade. I did get a brand-new looking board book for .25 at a garage sale on Saturday, so that will be one of the gifts for my youngest. My children are used to homemade gifts, and since they don’t see commercials (we don’t have cable) and I throw out any toy advertising that comes in the house :), they don’t ask for other things. In addition, when I ask what they REALLY want, it’s something homemade.
I wrote you a long reply, but it has some links and hasn’t been moderated still. Check out my Frugal Gifts and Sewing for Less pages, as well as my Christmas page, and the link to my Christmas on a Zero Budget guest post.
Thank you for your reply!!! I appreciate all the time and effort you put into that 🙂
Library bags are a great idea! I’m not a sewer but I think I could handle that one. Thanks!
You could always use stitch witchery 🙂 Make a little pocket for their library card.
I need to memorize every bone in the body by Wednesday! I’d say that’s a big goal 😉
You poor thing!
Yikes. you go!
Are you in a LMT class? Lol. After I read your post I started going back to my massage school days. Stayed up late drinking coffee reciting the bones and muscles. Not many people have even heard of those tiny bones in our ears. I learned so much in that class. Hang in there and I wish you an “A” . 🙂
here’s mine for the week
http://ithinkicansquared.blogspot.com/2011/10/weekly-goals-october-10-2011.html
Don’t be too hard on yourself! You still got a lot done. I think it is hard sometimes to create realistic and obtainable goals.
If I don’t reach a goal, I try to modify it for the next week to something related to it that I can obtain. So last week, I wanted to scrap 4 pages and this week, I just want to scrap something. 🙂
You can read the rest of my goals on my blog! Have a great day!
Hello! I LOVE your site! Read it everyday! I loved when you gave a short review on the books you read. You get to so many and I would love to hear your review of them!! Thanks for all all you do!
I’m thinking about starting to do this on a weekly basis, because I’ve been reading more and doing it on a monthly basis doesn’t seem to work. We’ll see!
I really admire your short, personalized to-do lists. I’ve been reading up on making a home-making binder, and I think I could benefit from giving myself more grace. I tend to build lofty goal atop goal, and I end up completing nothing! Thanks for being such a motivating teacher, I’m thankful for the great content 🙂
Hi Crystal, I just wanted to let you know that one of your links doesn’t seem to be working…the current habit training project that you crossed off. It took me to a yahoo search page for some reason. Thanks, Erin
Erin – I had the same problem, the URL had a few too many dates in it. Here is the correct link:
https://moneysavingmom.com/2011/09/habits-the-mothers-secret-to-success-by-charlotte-mason-free-ebook.html
Last week was a hard week for us and I can’t exactly pinpoint why. I am ready to get back on focus to moving forward. So with that here are my weekly goals.
http://www.financeswithfunk.com/2011/10/10/weekly-goals-for-week-of-1092011/
And Denise I love that quote…. I needed that today
and
Crystal, funny I got up early too and at least got a little bit of exercise in. Here’s to reclaiming the bandwagon of progress 🙂
You’re to-do list has inspired me to create my own. I always plan to get up early to work-out, but oversleep. Thanks for the motivation!! 🙂
I don’t know who said this, but I love it. “Don’t measure a person by how many times they fall down; rather, measure a person by how many times they get back up.” May not be an exact quote, either, but I have it posted in my home. My ‘person’ is pretty much always ‘me’. Yep, I fall down. Falling down isn’t as much a failure as not getting back up. Good job on the fresh start – hoping you have a successful week 😀
It’s refreshing to hear even you have off weeks once in awhile. 😉
My main goals are to continue with my baby step kitchen deep clean and re-org (I’m trying not to think about having to do the basement next!), continue working on establishing better spiritual practices (we just joined a new church and start membership classes next weekend), and to be more mindful of how I feel as I go about accomplishing all my littla goals. I’ve been feeling a little strung out and I think I’m trying to do too much.
Getting up earlier was a goal too but that got pushed to the back burner. With this warm weather I’ve been having trouble sleeping. Getting more rest has replaced that goal for this week.