Welcome to my weekly update post where I share my weekly goals each week. These goals are based (somewhat) on my yearly goals for 2021, with some extras thrown in depending upon the week and what other short-term goals I have.
But first, a little peek into last week…
We’ve been working on decluttering the kitchen this past week. We had a sweet helper while we were working! 🙂
Caring for two babies means we have lots of different types of bottles and bottle paraphernalia! We went through everything and got rid of a few things and then put away a lot of the bottles/stuff to save for when we have another baby foster care placement.
We also went through all of the mugs/tumblers. How do we have so many of them??
Ah! The mug cupboard can breathe again. (By the way, if you need a laugh, this picture created quite a stir on Instagram. You can read all about it here.)
And this cupboard looks so much better, too!
This girl brings so much joy into our home. She just loves life and has the sweetest personality. I just can’t even describe what a gift she is to our home. It humbles and moves me almost every time I look at her to think what a completely unexpected miracle she is.
I also went through the pantry, too.
From My Heart…
“This was the worst garbage. I picked this up as an audiobook to listen to. Her voice is exceptionally annoying.”
This was one of many similar reviews of my second book. While there were lots of kind reviews, all I could hear was that I should not ever narrate an audiobook again because my nasally voice irritated people. I was embarrassed that I had ever considered doing it myself.
So guess what I did? I told my publishers that I didn’t want to narrate my third book and they hired a professional voice artist to record it.
Over the past 5+ years since my third book came out, God has done a lot of life-altering work in my heart. He’s helped me to stop living my life to please, appease, and perform for others. He’s taught me that I don’t need to chase after the approval or affirmation of others. That I don’t need 5-star reviews or glowing accolades to be enough.
I am enough in Him. He loves me for exactly who I am because of Whose I am. And I can stand confident in Christ and live as loved, because I am already pre-approved by Him.
And that’s why I stopped letting negative reviews stifle me in insecurity. Maybe my voice isn’t professional voice actor level, but I’m not going to let that hold me back from sharing the message God has laid on my heart through live video, Instagram story, and podcasts.
I want to improve and grow and work on honing my craft, but I’m not going to sit around and wait until I can please everyone to show up on video and podcasts. Because if I wait until I can please everyone, I’ll be waiting the rest of my life.
Last week, I had the privilege of recording the audiobook for my soon-to-be-released book, Love-Centered Parenting. As I spent hours behind this mic, I felt such quiet confidence, passion, and excitement for this message… and such gratitude that I no longer have to live in fear of what others will think. I am loved by my Heavenly Father and that is enough. Period.
And now onto the goals update…
Last Week’s Goals
Personal Goals
1. Log 8,000 steps/day = 56,000 steps for the week.
2. Finish 3 books: The Water Keeper, The Things We Cannot Say, and Made Like Martha.
3. Fill out my habit tracker every day.Home/Family Goals
4. Read 10 pages of A Boy’s War as a family.
Read 5 chapters of The Trumpet of the Swan to Kierstyn.
5. Whole House Clean Out spaces to go through/organize/declutter: Pantry, under kitchen sink area, drawers in kitchen.Work/Blog Goals
6. Run the live coaching event for the 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom group.
7. Write a post on the books I’ve read so far in January.
8. Record 8 hours of the audiobook narration for my new book.Fun Goals
9. Have a family game night.
10. Do a craft project.
This Week’s Goals
Personal Goals
1. Log 8,000 steps/day = 56,000 steps for the week.
2. Finish 3 books: Mama Bear Apologetics, Secrets of a Charmed Life, and Keep the Doors Open.
3. Fill out my habit tracker every day.
Home/Family Goals
4. Read 10 pages of A Boy’s War as a family. Read 5 chapters of The Trumpet of the Swan to Kierstyn.
5. Whole House Clean Out spaces to go through/organize/declutter: Storage room in basement.
Work/Blog Goals
6. Finish a Q&A article I was asked to do for a magazine feature.
7. Get download page set up for the appendix of the book.
8. Work on outline/details for Yell Less, Love More Challenge for February.
Fun Goals
9. At home date night with Jesse.
10. Do a craft project.
Did you accomplish any of your goals last week? Let us know in the comments so we can celebrate with you!
Lea Stormhammer says
I always remember that when I don’t particularly care for someone’s voice that there’s definitely someone out there that doesn’t like mine either! Ha! As a college professor I’ve heard my own voice so much over the last few months on video. Recording your own voice is such a humbling experience.
I too love it when authors record their book themselves. Thanks for doing that, Crystal! I can’t wait to hear your new book!
Lea
Csandst1 says
I like your voice and I like when authors read their books as an audio. Makes more sense to me. If an author doesn’t read their own book, then why should anyone else?
Liza Mores says
I remember I listened to your podcast months ago and I honestly can’t believe it was your voice. Lol. I don’t know what I’m really expecting but it was one of those things were u have a face and now there is a voice.. You’re voice was Happy, ENGAGING, and FULL OF LIFE! For someone who have a short attention span like me, I was able to finished the whole podcast and actually paid attention to it. God bless.
JoDi says
I’m so sorry those negative reviews got you down, but I’m glad you worked through it and decided to narrate your latest book. I always like it best when an author reads their own book. They put meaning into the reading that just isn’t there when someone else reads it. I also just really like your voice!
Your videos about washing the mug after the bug comment were hilarious!
Laura A Collins says
I saw you completed a craft project! What was it? Would love to see pictures!
Crystal Paine says
I did a kit from Annie’s Creative Girl’s Club. It was Confetti Shaker Bookmarks — super easy, but fun!
Jennifer says
I’m so sorry to hear you had so many negative reviews of your audiobook. I listen to your podcasts and videos and I LOVE hearing your voice. It is so warm and soothing. You sound like a friend 🙂
Claire says
I’m really sorry that person left such a mean comment regarding your second book. There is nothing annoying about your voice, and your books are certainly not garbage. When someone posts that kind of vitriol, I think it says a lot more about them than it does about the person they’re criticizing. That being said, it seems like it’s human nature for people (myself included) to focus more on critical comments than positive ones, even when the positive ones outnumber the occasional critical ones. I’m glad that you’ve been able to rise above this. It serves as a good example for us, your audience.
Crystal Paine says
There were quite a few similar comments, but I am grateful for negative comments and constructive criticism over the years because it has taught me so much and helped me to learn and grow as a person!
Claire says
I agree with you about constructive criticism, but the comment you described seemed to me to be just plain unkind. (And I certainly hope the critical ones in general are outnumbered by positive ones!) But I’m glad that you were able to take an unkind comment and turn it into something beneficial. As the Bible says, “What you intended for bad, God used for good” or something to that effect.
Chris says
I’d love to hear what you think of Keep the Doors Open. Just finished it recently! Have a wonderful week! 🙂
P.S. I LOVE when authors record their audiobook in their own voice. It actually makes me like the book MORE (regardless of how “professional” their voice is) because it seems so much more authentic….it’s way more enjoyable as a listener. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I’m excited to read it! And thank you for your encouragement!
Tami says
I agree with you, Chris. I enjoy audiobooks more when they are recorded in the authors own voice.
Patti says
I love your voice, I have always felt it is very comforting. You have a beautiful speaking voice and a great laugh. Glad you are recording your new book!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you so much!
LN says
I still regularly refer to your 4 weeks to a more organized home challenge. That has helped me so much!
Crystal Paine says
Oh yay!! That makes me so happy!
Amanda says
I can’t wait to see what you think of Secrets of a Charmed Life! I loved it! Susan Meissner is great!