So, I told you that April was a hard month — and that was also reflected in the fact that I didn’t post many weekly goals. In all honesty, I was just in survival mode for a few weeks and had to focus on necessities.
There are seasons of life when it’s like that and so long as it’s just a short season and not a lifestyle, sometimes you just have to power through, pray for grace and strength, and stick to the basics.
Gratefully, most of the hard and stretching things that we were dealing with all at once have subsided and things are back to more of a quiet rhythm here again… and I am so very grateful!
As a result, I’m ready to jump back into goal-setting again!
This week’s goals:
Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals
1. Take Silas on a special one-on-one outing for his birthday.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
3. Go through Kathrynne and Silas’ clothes & get rid of what no longer fits them.
Personal Goals
4. Exercise at least 3 times.
5. Finish reading at least one book.
6. Listen to at least two inspiring audios/podcasts while working/driving.
Local Ministry/Hospitality/Friendship Goals
7. Get caught up on thank you note writing.
8. Finish reading a friend’s manuscript & writing an endorsement for it.
Business Goals
9. Outline/write 3 substantive blog posts for next week.
10. Finish tweaking my presentations/slides for the Arlington Homeschool Conference this weekend.
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.
Jenn Chandler says
Linked up with my goals! Right now, I am setting monthly goals to see how that works out. I love reading your goals…motivates me to work to accomplish mine! 😉
Jennifer says
I have really loved doing this for the past several weeks. I have gotten a few comments and emails stating that my readers do, too. I find it helps me to get more things done—knowing that I will be reporting on my progress with pictures! As always, thanks for the motivation, Crystal
Sonya says
My goals are to exercise three times, write two reviews for my blog, and recycle old grocery bags to reduce some of the clutter in my kitchen.
Kerri W. says
I always love reading your weekly lists. You inspired me to start my own, and it’s kind of amazing how much a simple list like that helps to keep me on track throughout the week! I also like how putting my goals out there on the internet helps keep me accountable. 🙂
Johanna @ Devoted To Maker says
What a sweet photo of you two!
Chelsea says
Do you have any advice on keeping track of weekly goals outside of a blog setting? I have trouble keeping track on scratch paper at home. I have a dry erase board for my daily goals.
Crystal Paine says
How about emailing them to yourself and a friend? Or keeping them in a Word document on your computer? Or on your phone? Or posting on Facebook? Just a few ideas… maybe some other people have some great ideas, too!
Diane says
I use Google docs or just write on my weekly Confident Mom planner which I keep on the fridge door.
Emilia says
I never think to do any goal list before. I love this goal list. Very nice idea, I think. So I made a list for myself today. Thank you.
jenny says
What advice can you give to someone on getting things done, and going beyond survival mode, while dealing with a chronic illness. I’m a stay at home mom of 4 young children. I ‘ve struggled with chronic kidney stones, and another chronic illness that leaves me easily tired and often under the weather. Since this last spring, I’ve passed 9 kidney stones, had three medical procedures, and I’ve seen my productivity plummet. I’m so discouraged from having to feel like I’m in “survival mode” for so long & deal with overflowing laundry hampers and a “dirty” house. I am tired of living like this! Its NOT like me! wish I could say I knew when/if I’m going to feel better, but unfortunately, its a long term illness. So, instead of choosing self pity, I’m determining to push through and find solutions instead of dwelling on the problems. Are there any of your archived articles you can recommend for me to give encouragement or advice on how to overcome things and do more than cope when you don’t have the power to change your circumstance? Sick of being in survival mode the past few months! Thanks for your encouraging blog!
Crystal Paine says
I am so sorry you’re dealing with so much! I started to write a long comment to you and then realized it’d be easier for me to answer your question as a post. So I’m going to put that on my list to write next week, Lord-willing.
In the mean time, know that I am praying for you — especially for God to bring some encouragement and practical help your way — and I’m also hopeful that maybe some other commenters can chime in with some encouragement or ideas for you, too.
jenny says
Thank you! It’s been quite challenging, to say the least. Sometimes, I just breathe in and breathe out a prayer that God would get me through the day, and show me what truly needs my energy, and what to skip. He works all things together for those who love Him, so I know the best thing I can do is keep my head up, plough through it and just take it a day at a time. I am confident I’m going to get through this, its just very frustrating, knowing so much is unpredictable and out of my control! Thank you!
Diane says
Do you have any one who can help? When I had my baby twins, I determined to never refuse offers of help. A friend came over a few days just to clean my kitchen and bathroom. Any meal offers were of course accepted. Easy crock pot freezer meals are great, too.
Anne says
Do you make the distinction in SGTSM between survival mode that we place upon ourselves and survival mode that life hands us?
We’ve have several huge life events over the last year that made survival mode necessary (two moves (one out of state), my father’s stroke and paralysis, identity theft, job layoff, toddler diagnosed with developmental delays/possible autism to name just a few). I kept getting frustrated until my dear husband pointed that I wasn’t bringing survival mode on myself.
This is why I am only focusing on changing habits this year one at a time; it was too frustrating to keep feeling like a failure because I wasn’t making progress on goals in more than one area at once.
Crystal Paine says
I think there is a big distinction and I think sometimes — as in the case of you last year and me the last few weeks — it is unavoidable. For me, some very unexpected and must-deal-with things came crashing in all at once and I just had to power through as best as I could, streamline my life, focus on the basics, pray for enormous grace and strength, and say no to everything I could possibly say no to.
Jesse and I stepped back and had some serious conversations about anything we could change, I offloaded some extra things, and I gave myself a lot of grace to just stick with the basics and prayed that some of these seemingly impossible and overwhelmingly hard situations would right themselves quickly… and, by the grace of God, most all of them did. Not in a way that I expected at all, but in God’s way and God’s timing. And I can look back and see His hand in this — even though it made no sense at all at the time.
At any rate, I share that to say that, yes, I think there is a distinction and it’s good to recognize that distinction. Some seasons you just have to power through and pray for grace and strength and do everything you can to streamline and give yourself grace while you hold on and make it through.
I love that you are focusing on one small change at a time. I think that is a fantastic idea for the season you’re in… and remember to continue to give yourself lots of grace! 🙂
MomofTwoPreciousGirls says
My goodness, that little guy is his daddy’s twin!!
Glad to hear things are settling down.
Alicia says
Thanks for the inspiration! I set a bunch of goals for myself at the beginning of the year, but two moves later they had fallen by the wayside. Writing it all down has helped me sort some of it out again.
Vickie @Vickie's Kitchen and Garden says
I used to be happy just to say we were boring people…it was great. I’m glad it’s slowed down for you and hope it stay like that awhile for you!
Diane says
Happy birthday, Silas! I’m keeping up with my Confident Mom planner that I found thanks to your link. 🙂 I freezer cooked today 6x baked oatmeal and 2x your green rice casserole.
Crystal Paine says
Woohoo! Way to go!
Karen says
I must agree with you that I feel so much more productive and get more things done when I have weekly goals. I miss it so much when I don’t make weekly goals.