Jesse and I spent time really discussing what my focuses should be for 2014 and we nailed down four areas that are my priorities for this year:
- Marriage: to continue to invest time and energy to strengthen and nurture our marriage and make it one of the greatest priorities
- Mothering: to continue to invest in our children with the goal of teaching them character, life skills, and raising them to be responsible adults
- Myself: to make my health a priority and to invest in my personal growth as a Christian, business owner, writer, speaker, and leader
- MoneySavingMom.com: to invest time into blogging — not just overseeing the business and my team, but making writing content pieces one of my top blogging priorities
Having these specific areas determined at the beginning of the year is really helping me to prioritize and giving me much clearer direction on when, where, and what to say no to this year.
Here’s an update on how I’m doing (or not doing, as is the case with many of these!) on my goals this year:
Marriage Goals
1. Read 6 marriage books. (I’ve finished 5 marriage books so far.)
2. Write 50 love notes to Jesse. (I’ve written 45 love notes so far.)
Mothering Goals
3. Read 40 books aloud to the kids. (We’ve finished 9 chapter books so far — yes I’m probably going to fall woefully short on this goal this year.)
4. Finish memorizing Romans 1 together.
5. Go through a cooking course with the kids. (I have been teaching the kids quite a few different cooking skills the past month. We haven’t done any official course, but they’ve learned a lot more cooking skills this year.)
Personal Goals
6. Read through the Bible. (I paused this goal to instead dive into the She Reads Truth Hospitality & Thanksgiving studies. I am LOVING these — and it’s been a great change after years of just reading straight through the Bible.)
7. Memorize Romans 2. (I’m working on this.)
8. Run a 5K race and go through P90X again.
9. Read 150 books/ebooks. (I’ve read 76 books so far this year.)
Blogging Goals
10. Write 150 substantive content pieces for the blog.
11. Write 50 DIY/Recipe posts for the blog. (I’ve written 38 DIY/Recipe posts so far.)
12. Blog about/participate in the 12 Months to a Healthier You Challenge.
Did you set goals for 2014 yet?
If you’ve posted an update on how you’re doing on your goals for 2014, I’d love for you to share your link in the comments. Or, if you don’t have a blog, feel free to just leave a comment with an update on how you’re doing on your goals. Let’s encourage one another to live lives of intention and purpose!
If you’re brand-new to goal-setting, be sure to read my post on How to Change Your Life By Setting Goals.
Kelly says
I am so impressed by the fact you write love notes to your hubby! Without specifices do you mind sharing the types of things you write to him. I know we are called to build up our husbands, and I know I fall so short in this area. I would love to start doing this for my husband; it almost seems a little awkward, but each time I read your goals I am drawn to start implementing this in my own marriage. Thank you for all that you do and share with your readers!! I also can’t wait to start my gratitude journal!
Crystal Paine says
This post should answer the question for you: https://moneysavingmom.com/2013/12/qa-tuesday-write-love-notes-husband.html
erin says
i have had a life-changing year. we got out of debt this year. its been amazing for myself and my family. anything is possible if you put your mind to it!!! i have been following your blog for…. 5 or 6 years at least? you are always such a wonderful inspiration. thank you for being such a great role model for us mommies <3
Crystal Paine says
I am SO proud of you!!! Congratulations!!!
erin says
thank you <3 <3 <3
NaDell says
I linked up my latest goal post. I try to keep them small and manageable most of the time. I’m already trying to figure out how to tweak them for next year’s goals.
Faith Still says
I don’t have goals for 2014 written down yet, but I have started writing my own goals posts. It helps me to remember and holds me accountable. Coincidently, I wrote a goals post today.
http://www.homeecathome.com/the-home-economist/goals
Stevi says
I’m doing alright with my goals. I didn’t make specific goals for 2014, but I have been making weekly goals. Your book, Say Goodbye To Survival Mode”has really encouraged me! I also just started a blog, wwe.heading4health.com about my journey to a healthier life: mind, body and soul! I’m excited for the next coming year. I hope you do another year long challenge!
Crystal Paine says
I’m so grateful that my book has encouraged you! That made my day!
Stevi says
Good I’m glad. You have no idea how much your blog has inspired me! Keep on doing what you’re doing <3
Jeanna says
I really enjoyed reading your financial goal posts as well, do you think you will be bringing those back? Seeing your progress, big and small, was inspiring to set goals for our family too. Thanks!
Crystal Paine says
This year, I decided to focus my goal posts on my personal goals — things that were hopefully somewhat doable by most people who read here.
So many people said they were discouraged by our financial goals posts. I got many complaints that they were unattainable for people (because they aren’t debt-free, having many medical expenses, and/or are struggling to make ends meet). As those posts seemed to serve more to annoy, bother, and frustrate people, I stopped sharing them because the last thing I want to do is discourage people who are in a different financial position. I wish I could find a way to share them that would inspire people… but I’m still trying to figure out how to do that.
Luba says
Crystal, I am so sorry about all the complaining. My husband and I have really been inspired by your goals. If people aren’t debt-free, they should be inspired to be debt-free by your family’s example. Maybe you can share how it was 10 years ago and how it is now so that people can see the difference?
Rachel says
I also miss your financial goal posts. While we couldn’t do those specific goals, it was still nice to see you work towards those goals while we worked towards ours.