73 eBooks, eCourses + printables on conquering your to-do list, reaching your goals, and freeing up more time with the Ultimate Productivity Bundle.
My Goals…Why do I set them? Why do I share them here?
- Setting goals helps me remain focused.
- Sharing my goals helps to hold me accountable.
- I hope that it may inspire you to set goals for yourself? Give it a try! Start small if it seems overwhelming or like too much work. Or maybe it seems pointless to you? Give it a shot and see what you think.
Are you new to goal setting? Here are a few posts that may help or inspire you:
- How to Set Goals using Short Challenges and Mini Goals
- How Short Challenges and Mini Goals Work for Me
- One Simple Task to Help You Follow Through On Your Goals
Record my wake-up & bedtimes
June: I enjoy the morning time when I am up before my girls, so I wanted to get back to my 6 AM wake-up. Creating an early morning wake-up habit was partially my inspiration for starting this blog. (Read my Early Morning Summary here.)
One of my June goals was to complete the online course called Make Over Your Mornings. I went through the entire course and found it helpful. I enjoyed getting up every morning to watch the quick video and go through the workbook. I completed most of the tasks, but still have a few items left to complete (like long-term goals…I have no idea what that looks like). I plan on going through the course again at a later date to spend more time on some of the action items.
Sleep It Does a Family Good
July: Instead of setting a wake up and bedtime goal, I have considered setting a goal with the number of hours I would like to sleep each night. If I have to set my alarm for later than 6 AM due to going to bed late, I could potentially miss my alone time before the girls wake up. I am hoping that would be motivation enough to get to bed at a decent time. Realistically I don’t think I could do this all month.
My goal is to make myself get 7 hours of sleep each night for one week during the month of July. I am hoping that it will feel so wonderful that I want to continue for longer than a week…
Computer shut-down
June: I’m getting better at shutting the computer off earlier. I have wanted to make more time in my evening for reading. It’s key for me to shut my computer down early if I want to read. As a bonus, it’s much easier to fall asleep when I have spent the last half hour of my evening reading a book instead of being on the computer.
July: My goal is 11:00. During the week that I shoot for 7 hours of sleep, I will have to move this earlier. Let’s see if I actually do that. ;)
God’s Word
June: I continued to read from my NIV Mom’s Devotional Bible* or another devotional. My goal was to read my devotion first thing in the morning at least 5 days a week. I did this in June. It’s the perfect way to get my morning started off right!
July: Read my devotion first thing in the morning at least 5 days a week.
Books
June: My goal was to read 2 books. Done. I completed 3 books.
I read The Hardest Peace: Expecting Grace in the Midst of Life’s Hard
Real Life on a Budget: 17 Practical Challenges to Live and Thrive on a Budget
Real Life on a Budget is a sensible, realistic and encouraging guide to living and thriving on a budget. The 17 practical challenges clearly break the process down. Jessi uses her past experiences to guide you towards making your own wise financial decisions. She helps you find solutions to the possible roadblocks you may come across. The book showed me that even while I feel like I have made fairly good financial decisions in the past, I have room to grow! Real Life on a Budget will help you on the road towards financial success regardless of whether you have been budgeting for years or if you are just looking to start.
Sleep It Does a Family Good
Exercise
June: I met my cardio (running or elliptical) goal every week, but fell short on doing burpees, core work, or pilates/yoga video on non-cardio days. I enjoyed taking my girls for walks in the jogging stroller. It’s one of my favorite ways to spend a beautiful summer morning! If we include a stop at the library or park, they are typically willing riders for a couple miles.
July: Cardio (running or elliptical) – 3 days per week at minimum. Run twice per week. Decide on whether or not I will be signing up for a fall running road race.
Weekly “date” night with hubby
June: My goal was one movie, game or date night in June. Twice! We rented two movies in June. One lame and one good. If you are a runner and appreciate the sport of cross-country I recommend watching McFarland, USA
July: One movie, game or date night in July.
Organize, Declutter, Simplify
June: My goal was to pack up & drop off at least 2 bags of clothing and such at Goodwill. I also wanted to list 5 more items on ebay. I listed about 7-8 items on ebay and sold 2, but I did not gather up 2 bags of clothing for Goodwill.
July: Pack up & drop off at least 2 bags of clothing and such at Goodwill. Find a few more items to list on ebay or sell on Twice.
Garden
June: Our garden didn’t thrive last summer, so I want to stay on top of it this year. Gardening is still fairly new to me so I want to take the time to research how best to tend the garden.
July: I am staying more on top of it and our garden is thriving so far. Continue in July.
Make Over Your Mornings
June: I completed the Make Over Your Mornings course. I also led a Facebook Accountability group through the course.
July: No goal.
New July Goals
- Celebrate daughter’s 4th birthday!
- I am not going to add more goals in July. I want to make sure the girls and I have plenty of time to enjoy summer outdoors.
Do you make monthly goals? Feel free to link to your July goals in a comment. I enjoy reading goal lists. I find encouragement hearing what others are desiring to focus on.
You will receive free updates, morning motivation, printables, blog post highlights, and occasional deals sent your way. Frequency?? Just a few times per month.
Jessi Fearon (@TheBudgetMama) says
Thank you so much for your kind review of Real Life on a Budget and THANK YOU so much for being a part of the launch! :) I love following your goals and I completely agree with you that it’s so much easier to fall asleep at night when you spend the last 30 minutes reading instead of online.
admin says
No problem, Jessi!! I enjoyed being a part of your launch team and sharing about your awesome book.
Tammy says
Great list. I always start a new fun book for summer time and I haven’t done that yet. Can’t seem to find one I want to read.
admin says
I hope you find one soon. Summer is the perfect time to read a great book!
Love says
I am so bad at writing my goals out which I should do more often. I love how you not only write them but you post it on your website for everyone to see and get inspired. I will try my best to write my goals in my journal every morning! Thank you so much for inspiring me!
Visiting form Ladies Collective LP =)
admin says
It definitely holds me accountable knowing that I have shared them here. It’s strange how that works. ;)
Candace says
It looks like you are doing great on your goals. We watched McFarland, USA last night. It was fantastic! So inspiring. I’m finishing up Make Over Your Mornings right now. It’s been really helpful.
admin says
I enjoyed McFarland, USA! It made me wish I was back running with my old cross-country teams. :)
Tiffany says
Wow – your goals are very inspiring. I haven’t taken to the habit of writing mine down and right now they are more intentions. :) And burpees – oh, I would skip a few of those too. #coffeeforyourheart
admin says
Burpees get easier once you have been doing them for a while. They do take time to get used to as they are not easy!
Monica says
Thanks for sharing your goals! I just started sharing mine after spending June basically on vacation and having almost everything done for me. You can find my July goals at my blog! Have a great week :D.
Keri says
Great book options- can’t wait to hear what you read this month! I really enjoyed Make Over Your Mornings. Love sharing monthly goals together :)
admin says
I’m happy you also enjoyed the course. I am enjoying the books I’m currently reading and am looking forward to sharing more in the future!
Cindy @MomMaven says
Great goals! Sleep is so important. I’ve learned to shut down my computer before dinner most nights. I do check things on my iPad occasionally during the evening but I am weaning myself off that too. From dinner-bedtime is family time.
admin says
Before dinner?? Impressive! I am not sure I could do that. It’s awesome that it’s a priority for you. Nice work. :)
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
Wow, you have some fabulous goals!
I haven’t heard of any of those books but they look like great reads!
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Tayrina says
Thanks for sharing. This inspires me to continue achieving my goals for this month. Thanks!!!
Blessings,
Tayrina
admin says
You are welcome. Thanks for stopping by!
Christine says
Good for you for making your marriage a priority in your goals!
admin says
It’s too easy to neglect and forget it’s importance!! I don’t want to go down the road of not making it a priority.
Judith says
Yay! Another monthly goal planner! We have some similar goals for this month. I’ve started a 30 Day Morning Prayer Challenge at my blog! You’re right; there is nothing like reading the Word in the morning.
admin says
It is a wonderful way to start the day! Thanks for stopping by. :)
Rose @ Walnut Acre says
I am REALLY struggling with a good morning routine. Mainly just the part where I actually get out of bed on time. It’s like my brain and body just refuse to cooperate. But I’m continuing to work on it and hopefully I’ll get it eventually.
admin says
It took me a while to get it down, but now I miss the morning time if I don’t get it. That is motivating enough for me!
Good luck to you!
Monica says
I like the idea of setting monthly goals in every area of life. I work hard to set them in some areas, while others, I barely think about. I may have to take up this practice myself to help keep me on track from one month to the next.
admin says
Yes. It is often easier to break it down between different areas of life.
Tammy @ creativekkids says
I have the Make Over Mornings course too and need to finish it. I also need to get more sleep. Sounds like you have a great plan of action!
admin says
I hope you are enjoying the course!
Lara says
Stopping by from the monday madness linkup. I always say that I’m going to start doing monthly goals but I always forget. I’m lucky this month I actually remembered to write down my new stats, only 3 days late lol. But than the 3 months prior where I forgot to write them down all together.
admin says
I often write down reminders for stuff like that. I would forget SO much if I didn’t write everything down. :)
Angela @ Setting my intention says
I really need to do this. I have done goals in the past and am always surprised how setting a goal helps me to focus and achieve it. I haven’t done monthly goals before, but I may start – at least quarterly goals. Thanks for sharing!
admin says
Try it out and let me know how it works for you! It definitely helps me to be more aware of how I’m spending my time.
Natasha in Oz says
It’s so good you set goals like this. I really like your goals too-great post!
If you have a minute to spare my weekly Sundays Down Under linky party has just started and this would be a great addition. Hope you can stop by and say g’day!
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
admin says
Thanks for stopping by and mentioning your link up!
Natasha in Oz says
I just popped by to say thank you for linking up. I’ve shared your post on Pinterest and Twitter.
Natasha
Marina @ Parental Journey says
I love reading about your goals! You motivated me to make some goals for myself! I am going to check out that morning course.
admin says
I hope you enjoy the course if you decide to try it out!
Amber Hillis says
I need that bed time goal! I stay up too late.
admin says
Even though I have goals around my bedtime…I still am up later than I should be. Hopefully you will have better luck than I do!
Ashley Servis says
I’m thrilled to see you link up with me this month. I need to work on reading my devotions each morning. I think next month I will strive hard on that goal. Good luck with your goals this month.
admin says
Thanks for hosting the linkup! It’s a wonderful way to start your morning. I hope you give it a try. :)
Cat @ MaryMarthaMama says
I used to make quarterly goals but I’ve gotten away from that recently. I think that going back to it would help me to be more focused. And I totally agree that getting up before my kids is the best way to start off my days. Thanks for sharing a little goal inspiration.
admin says
The goals do help me focus more. Give it a shot. :)
Jenny @ Women With Intention says
I love your goals and love your intentionality of getting the girls outdoors! :) Thanks for linking up at Women With Intention Wednesdays!
admin says
I want them to enjoy running around out outside! And when living in the Midwest, I need to take advantage of nice weather when we have it!
terri presser says
Hey. I just love reading these posts, they make me feel motivated. Thanks for sharing at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories says
Love how you are still focusing on turning computer off earlier to fit more reading time in. Our garden is suffering in this heat too. Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday linkup. Pinned to our linkup board and hope you join us again this weekend.
admin says
I am trying! I’m not always good at shutting down and getting my book out. But I am always so happy the evenings that I do!
Lux says
I understand how hard it is to stay focused on what you need to do. I for myself know that. I always go around the schedule I give myself. It helps to write them down I agree. Reminders and alarms too as I have the tendency to get carried away with what I do. :)
Lights out vary but I’ve realized that setting a certain time actually helps you sleep better and wake up feeling great. :)
Cathy McInnes says
LOVE these goals! I to had to decide to wake up early to get in some peace and quiet moments, it sets the tone for my whole day! Thank you so much for sharing this on Making Memories Mondays! Hope to see you back Sun night 9PM EST! :-)
Cathy