Tag: Goal Setting

Baby Step #4: Sticky Notes

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TWO WORDS: STICKY NOTES

This is the beginning of the Control Journal. I think that’s kind of a funny name. Do you? You could call it whatever you want. There are many versions of the Control Journal out there. Just look on You Tube. Search Fly Lady Control Journal. Don’t do it right now, though. You’ll get side-tracked.

I did a little You Tube browsing this morning while my daughter watered our neighbor’s plants and I kept her company. I gave myself a time limit so I wouldn’t get lost down the dark hole of the internet.

Just hop on the Fly Lady’s website and check out hers. Or, you can use hers and tweak it to fit your style. That’s what I plan on doing.

Today, I’m making two sticky notes: One labeled Morning Routine and one labeled Night Routine. This is what I have so far on each; but these may not be the final routines. I’ll work on them this week.

Eventually this will go in some kind of binder; but for now I’m just using sticky notes.

Today’s Recap:

  • I emptied the dishwasher and there were a few dishes in the sink from the night before so I made sure to load the dishwasher and my sink was shiny.
  • I got dressed down to the flip flops. It’s 107 here today and so I did not wear shoes the rest of the day because I have no AC. I would die if I wore shoes. I’ve already explained that I hate having hot feet.
  • I began brainstorming my morning and evening routines:

MORNING ROUTINE:

  • Some Quiet Time/Morning Reading/Devotion w/Coffee
  • 1 minute Yoga
  • Get Ready
  • Start Laundry

EVENING ROUTINE: (After Dinner)

  • Shine Sink
  • Sweep
  • Living room pickup
  • Fold and put laundry away
  • Check tomorrow’s calendar

Baby Step #3 Be Consistent

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I thought I would do my recap first today.

Let’s Recap:

  • My sink is still shiny. Yay!
  • I got dressed to my shoes. This is easy because I went to church. I still stand by my not wearing shoes in the house.
  • I wrote Steps 1 and 2 on a sticky and stuck it on my bathroom mirror.

So, if you log on to The Fly Lady’s website or have read her book, she teaches about morning routines, afternoon routines, evening routines and THE CONTROL JOURNAL. Today’s step is to log on and take a look around the website. It has a lot of great information. If you don’t have time, maybe pick another day. You will definitely get lost down rabbit holes. I think it is important to get the whole picture of what her Fly Lady’s system is. Her book is really helpful, too.

One thing I want to talk about today is being Consistent. I’m technically not adding steps today; but that’s okay. It’s easier to be consistent with small attainable steps or build habits little by little than having the mentality of “go big or go home”. I’ve done that too many times and it never works.

I’m going for slow and steady.

Have you read Atomic Habits by James Clear ? This was such a good book and really backs up the concept of slow, small, consistent steps for lasting change.

Doesn’t that sound fabulous???

In case you missed the first Baby Steps. Start Here:

Baby Step #2 Get Dressed To Your Shoes

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So, today’s habit was really easy and you may already do this. I do this MOST days; but what made the difference for me was getting up, taking my shower right away, and getting dressed BEFORE breakfast.

I’ve been lazy all summer and now that school has started up again, I’m having to get up earlier. I’ll be honest. Getting up earlier kicked my butt this week. Starting home school kicked my butt! I was just plum tuckered by Saturday.

Here’s me dressed to shoes. I didn’t take a pic of my outfit; but trust me. I was dressed.

BTW, these Sketchers from Costco are so darn comfortable. They are my favorite.

You can read all about the mindset magic of wearing your shoes first thing in the morning from The Fly Lady herself here.

I’ll be honest, though. I hate wearing shoes in the house. It’s been 102 degrees plus this weekend and we don’t have AC. Wearing shoes in the house makes me so hot. So most days I will not wear shoes in my house, just being genuine. I do think there is merit to it, though.

For me, like I said above, the habit I’m working on is getting up earlier, getting showered and dressed to my slippers or flip flops first thing in the morning. After coffee, of course.

DAY TWO RECAP:

  • Sink is still shiny.
  • Got dressed to the shoes.

2 Steps Down. 29 To Go.

I’m posting Step #2 today, which is Sunday. I wrote the post yesterday, and think that is how I’ll proceed. I’ll work on a step and write about it; but I’ll post it the following day. Sound good? Good.

Let’s Start Over: September is the new January

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It all started in January. My word for the year was START. (You can read that post here.) I’m laughing while typing this because just two months after the year began our world STOPPED. It stopped like “came to standstill”, “came to screeching halt”, “ran into a brick wall” kind of stop.

It’s been quite a year and honestly, keeps getting more interesting; but not in a good way.

So while life has definitely not gone back to normal, it turns out I picked the right word after all because this mama is rebooting.

I need to get back to a normal routine even if life isn’t normal.

While my house is not a disaster and stays pretty clean, I really desire to declutter and simplify.

I’m really, really tired of setting goals and almost never meeting them. *Sigh*

Basically, I need to get my house in order (and me!).

This is not about PERFECTION! Oh, heavens no. For me, this is about routines, new habits, peace in my home and peace of mind.

While 2020 has been a virus wielding, mask wearing, murder hornet threatening, riot frenzied, smoke filled (That’s just for us, NORCAL), thunderbolts, political mess of a year, God has taught me some really hard and important lessons. I’m taking that into my new year.

I’m staring over. I’m rebooting. I’m inviting you on my journey.

It’s time to (re)START.

Follow me on my journey. Start Here.

3 Things….

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3 things2

3 Things I learned this winter.

3 Things I’m Leaving Behind This Spring

3 Weeks Of Shelter In Place

Originally, my plan was to post “What I Learned This Winter” at the beginning of March. Then Corona hit. I got mmmm….just a little distracted. I finally sat down and hammered out some thoughts about all that was going on and posted that here. So, while I’m already working on “What I Learned This Spring”, ( This spring has been epic and life changing and we are only 3 weeks in.) I still wanted to post this.

It’s all still true. Though now posting about what I learned during the winter kind of seems trivial and light – hearted amid all that’s going on. A little levity may be what we all need right now. That and a reminder that hopefully life will go somewhat back to normal in the future.

So here’s 3 Things I Learned This Winter, 3 Things I Want To Leave Behind, and a 3 Weeks Shelter In Place Update (for posterity).

3 Things I Learned This Winter:

My goal was to post 5-7 things I learned; but my brain is muddled with the latest Corona count, how to disinfect my groceries, and homeschooling my kids during isolation. So, this is what you get.

  1. Sometimes You Just Need To Start.

I’m a planner, list maker and backwards planner. I’ve got my monthly goals, my weekly goals, and my daily goals all written out in my favorite colored pens. I’m learning that all the planning the world doesn’t do me any good if I don’t just start already! Just start. Even if I don’t have a plan. This has been hard for me. I’m a work in progress.

Note: I’m laughing at my goal making right now because what my planner usually looks like and what it looks like now is quite different. Now, I just plan Zoom calls.

2. I’ve Missed Reading A Really Good Page Turner.

I’ve missed reading in general. I’ve been doing more of it and it’s made me really, really happy. Recently I read Woman in the Window. It was a suspenseful page turner. I wasn’t reading to understand something better or gain knowledge. I was just reading for fun.

Note: I’ve definitely had more time to read these last few weeks.

3. Getting Older Sucks; But I’m Not Alone.

I stepped out of the car and somehow twisted my ankle. I started to chase my 8 year old at the park and realized my legs weren’t working right somehow. I twisted my knee getting up from sitting on the ground. I’m getting older; but come on! It seems like the 40’s is also code for “body parts wearing down”. I know I’m not alone here. I think I need to start exercising more than once a week.

Note: Since our Shelter In Place 22 days ago I’ve done a lot more walking. Thanks, Corona Virus, for upping my exercise game. Also, I chased Henry down the road today and did not pull a thing or get winded. Improvement!

3 Things I Want To Leave Behind

  1. Worry

Can I say leave behind Covid-19?

I’d really like to kick that one in the mouth, to the curb, and off the side of a cliff. Ok, I don’t have the power to do that. I am, however, working on leaving WORRY behind. I’ve had enough sleepless nights and anxious thoughts in the past 24 + days to confirm, yet again, that me worrying doesn’t change a single thing. This is not easy to do. AT ALL!!! God has been working on my unbelieving heart. “Are you going to say that you trust me? Or are you actually going to do it? Are you going to lay it at my feet, each day? Each hour? Do you really believe I’m as big and powerful as you say I am?”

2. Hating My Age

Ever since 40 I’ve spent each birthday like I was facing impending doom. About a month prior to the day, I’ve wondered in disbelief on how I got here so quickly? How did my face get like this? Why is my arm skin hanging like that? I have to dye my roots already. Ugghhh….. 40’s.

I’m kinda sick of the negative self talk. Honestly, this virus has showed us all, about as clear as can be, that we do not know when our last day is our last day. I’m done dreading the age. I’m celebrating it. I’m 46! I just spent my birthday in quarantine and it was one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had.

3. Eating Out So Much

Ha! Yes, this is me being funny. We’ve been ordering from a local restaurant once a week; but other than that it’s me, cooking, all the time…….

3 Weeks Into Quarantine Looks Like:

Making Bath Bombs With Lily

Taking Walks. This is from our last hike we took in a park in Napa. Shortly after this, all the parks were closed. Rain or shine, we get our walks in.

Still Schooling

Zoom Calling

Falling In Love With Embroidery

Shopping 6 Feet Apart

Foraging for Flour

My 46th Birthday

Being Together….a lot.

Hang in there, gang!

Hey Mamas – Stay Healthy and Wash Your Hands

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How has 2020 been going for you so far? Did January seem like it was 7,000 days long? I don’t usually feel this way about January; but this year January just dragged on and on and on. Why is that?

Meanwhile, I blinked and February is almost over. Ugh, Time!!!! You tricky minx. You never move at the speed I want.

Our new year started off differently than any other new year so far. The Hubs married two of our friends. As in he officiated the wedding.

No, he is not a pastor.

Yes, it’s legal. They are really married.

I got to be the official witness. That’s a first for me.

It was really special and beautiful and made me wonder why we spend so much money on weddings. It’s not necessary.

Our year started off so beautifully and with an amazing hike! We were off to the greatest start!

Then sickness hit. The Hubs got hit hard. It’s been kinda rough with all the illness going around. I know we are all talking about (and some are fretting) the coronavirus and what not. The flu has hit so many of my family members and friends. So, from one mama to another, I have 3 words for you.

WASH YOUR HANDS

I have yet to get sick this year and was not sick last fall at all. This is quite a feat, if I do say so myself. I can rattle off several reasons why I think my immune system is rocking right now. But, the one thing I’m militant about is washing my hands and washing my kid’s hands (Andy is an adult and he’s on his own.). When we come in from school, church, grocery shopping, you name it, we hit the sink first.

Hand sanitizer is our best friend.

This year I’ve made some steps toward getting healthier. I was inspired by my Word of the Year: START. I just started making some changes. I didn’t overthink it or map out all my steps to achieving my goals. I just started.

The biggest improvement I’ve made is getting more sleep. It’s self-care at it’s most simple. I know the extra sleep (or should I say the appropriate amount of sleep) has helped me stay healthy.

So mamas, could I give you a few more words?

Take Care Of Yourself.

Whether that means extra sleep, or a bath once a week or going out to coffee with a friend. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just start.

Being healthy is more than just washing hands and avoiding the flu. It’s about taking care of your whole person. So what do you need most? Start there.

But seriously, wash your hands.

Hello 2020. My Word For The Year.

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Hello, 2020. New Year. New Decade.

In years past, I used to put a lot of pressure on myself to come up with goals and resolutions, with timelines and timetables of how and when I was going to get things done. I never really checked that many goals off my list (and honestly, usually had listed way too many goals).

So, for the last few years I’ve picked a word for my year. It’s been more about me setting an intention and I’ve liked it so much better. I know, I know….everyone’s picking a word for the year these days. It’s nothing new. I get it; but it works for me.

Actually, the word picked me this year, so I’m excited to share.

Start.

Just Start. Simple and to the point. No frills. Just get up off my butt and start doing.

See, I still set goals. I’m such a goal setter and list maker and journal filler. When I looked back over my goals from last year (which were really good, by the way), there were so many I had made absolutely no progress on. None. Zip. Zilch.

Now 2019 was great. I grew a lot. I had unexpected challenges thrown at me. I was brave when I didn’t want to be. In fact one of my best days ever happened in 2019. And despite all my unchecked boxes on my list, I’m still going into 2020 feeling really optimistic.

My recurring questions and frustration was, “What was the point of setting goals if I wasn’t reaching them ?”

So I asked a myself a few questions before plowing into the new year with that one little word START burning in the back of my brain.

One of the questions I asked was, “Were my goals realistic?” Were they things I was really passionate about or would truly make me a better wife, mom, friend? I know what my core priorities are; but were the goals that I was setting really lining up with that?

Like I said, my word picked me.

Words like Declutter, Focus, Do Less (yes, that’s two) floated around. I kept coming back to that word Start. Just start. And if I could pick a sub word for my year it would be SIMPLIFY:

In other words START: with side of Simplify.

In a frustrated moment I vented, ” I don’t need new goals to reach. I just want to actually accomplish the goals I’ve already set!”

No one knows you better than you. I know myself pretty well. I was really honest with my frustrated self and I know God gave me wisdom and discernment. He pointed out two things: 1.) I had too many goals I was trying to focus on. In other words, I was like a scattered squirrel. 2) I was waiting for life to be more settled, my moments to be more quiet, and for me to catch up on my laundry before I set out to do things that really are important to me.

In other words, I needed to put the checklist down, close the cover on my creatively lettered bullet journal and just start, already.

This year is about Starting (and finishing) in the middle of the mess, the unfolded laundry, the grocery shopping, the unexpected illnesses.

In the middle of the imperfection of life will be the perfect time for me to START.

What’s your word for the year? What are some goals, big or small, you have for the new year?

In my last post Hindsight is 2020, I talked about how reflecting on the past helps us shape goals for the future (or maybe just make better decisions). I made two lists at the end of 2019: What Didn’t Work in 2019 and What I Want To Keep Doing in 2020. Both were very helpful as I began 2020.

Here’s to 2020 and the START of wonderful things.

Hindsight is 2020

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I’m waist deep into my Christmas break right now. It’s the Friday after Christmas and the Bauers have not left the couch. Yesterday we took a lovely two-mile walk around Spring Lake; but today……. Today is all about not getting out of our pajamas, ordering pizza, watching It’s a Wonderful Life, and celebrating down time with The Hubs since he worked Christmas this year.

I picked up When Less Becomes More by Emily Ley when I was doing my last bit of Christmas shopping earlier this week. I debated buying it since I was supposed to be buying presents for others and “When would I have time to read this anyway?”

I’m so glad I did. I’m almost done. Turns out this will be the last book I’m reading in 2019. It’s really helped me focus my thoughts on my goals for the New Year. Between this book and The Next Right Thing podcast I’ve been listening to lately (by Emily P. Freeman), I’m feeling ready for 2020. Excited even.

Reading the book helped me to look forward as I set some goals for 2020 while the podcast has been encouraging me to reflect back on the year.

Are you a New Year’s goal setter? If so, do you tend to look back and reflect or do focus more on moving ahead? I think both are important.

Maybe you don’t have specific goals; but you just want to set your intention or make sure your priorities are where you really want them to be. Either way, for me, looking back is essential before moving forward.

As I’m sitting here on my dangerously comfortable couch, I’ve unfollowed several people on my Instagram account. I’ve unsubscribed from way too many email subscriptions. Why, why do I fill up my inbox with so much junk?? My inbox isn’t empty but I’ve deleted hundreds of emails (so embarrassing). I’m getting a jump start on some goals for new year.

One of the things I realized when looking back on 2019 was that I needed to declutter. Not just the physical clutter in my house but the mental clutter. So as I cuddle up with my favorite people today, I’m eliminating some of that mental clutter. I will get that inbox to 0 emails!

While I look back on what didn’t work in 2019, I’m also reflecting on all the great moments and all the things that I’m proud of in 2019.

I don’t know when we are going to have a lazy day like this again so I’ll soak up today. I’ll sign off, order some pizza and cry at the ending of It’s A Wonderful Life like I do every year.

See you in 2020.

My Word For 2018

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So, 2018 is already a quarter of the way done. What????? How did that happen?

Normally, I would publish this sort of post in January; but the “new” blog was still under construction. So here I am, 3 months plus into the new year, really thinking about and processing through the word I chose 3 months ago.

The word I chose for 2018 is FOCUSED.

In a way, this coming back and reevaluating my word 3 months later has actually been the best thing. Have I kept my word in mind as I plan out my days and weeks? Did I pick the right word?

My answer is: Yes! I’m so glad I picked this word and I think it’s the best word for me right now.

I’m a big fan of lists and setting goals and making plans. I don’t always follow through with said lists and plans. I don’t always accomplish said goals. But I try.

At the end of 2017 I went over all the things I had wanted to accomplish over that previous year, personal goals, house project goals, etc. And though my year was very busy and I felt like I had done a lot of things, I had not marked many things off my list. It was rather disheartening. Why? Why had I felt like I had been doing, doing, but not accomplishing anything?

I think it’s because I’m like Buddy the Elf, “Ooh shiny bins!”

I like shiny bins. I get distracted by things that at the moment seem good to do and often times “seem” important. It’s not that I don’t work hard. Being idle is not a problem for me (or most moms for that matter). Doing what is most important and not getting caught up in the urgent is where I struggle. Can anyone else relate?

So I’m FOCUSING this year. I’m not focusing so I can get more done. It’s the not amount of things I do that is the goal. I’m FOCUSING on fewer things and trying to DO THOSE THINGS WELL. And those fewer things are things that I’ve thought about and have prayed over and feel are most important right now.

So, what am I focusing on?

In keeping with my word and my goal, I’m keeping it simple.

I’m focusing on 3 main things this year: My Home, My Homeschool and My Heart.

I’ll go into these 3 categories in depth in future blog posts; but for this post I’ll keep it brief.

HOME:: A stay at home mom is part of my job title; but the day to day realities of being at home and taking care of my home can be a struggle for me. Cooking. Keeping up with laundry (Bleh!) Cleaning toilets. I know some people enjoy those things. In all honesty, I don’t. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I love keeping my house tidy, decorating and gardening. I love being home. But, I knew that I was letting areas and responsibilities slide because I just don’t enjoy them and I wasn’t physically home enough to actually do them. So, I’m focusing on what it means to really take care of my home. Note that I didn’t say have a “sparkling clean, looks like no one lives here, iron my sheets” kind of home. Ummm……no. Not eating out as much and making sure Andy always has clean underwear is where this mama is starting.

HOMESCHOOL:: I love homeschooling. I’m so glad God called me to do it because that was definitely not the road I was heading down. I really enjoy having my kids home with me, choosing what they will learn and how it is best for them to learn. I absolutely love the flexibility of our schedule. Homeschooling takes a lot dedication and discipline, though. It takes me, the mom and teacher, being focused. It takes priority over a lot of other things in our family life because it is my kid’s education. And while I know my kids are learning, progressing and are happy, I feel that in the past year our homeschool wasn’t taking as high a priority as it should have been. Some of the reasons for this were out of my control; but some were just me getting distracted by the urgent. So, I’ve reprioritized.

HEART:: Honestly, I was trying to keep with the “H” theme here. This just means taking time to do things that make my heart happy and fill my bucket. As moms, we get so caught up in everyone else’s needs and sometimes forget what reenergizes us, what inspires us, what gets our creative juices flowing. For me it’s writing and working on this blog. That is my creative outlet and I wasn’t giving it any time at all. It made me sad. So I decided to make time for it. This means saying no to other things sometimes; but it’s worth it to me.

Can I add a bonus H here? My HEALTH. I think moms can be the number one culprits of ignoring health problems and not taking care of themselves because we don’t have time. The truth is we don’t have a lot of time. The truth is we need to make the time. I have things I need to take care of to feel better and this is my year to do it.

Now, I know there are times when we all need to reevaluate and even change our goals.They don’t have to be set in stone. Life has a way of throwing your plans out the window sometimes. I realize I need to be flexible.

While I’m focusing this year on my family and home, my homeschool and my personal goals of blogging and getting healthy, I know how much I tend to doubt myself that I can actually make these positive changes in my life. I’m excited and motivated (at the moment); but can I actually accomplish them? Am I brave enough to make big changes? Can I not get distracted by the shiny and urgent in order to do the most important?

With God’s help, ABSOLUTELY!

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Psalm 46:5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.  – This is my personal favorite and verse for this year.

I’ve also claimed this quote as my personal mantra for the year. If I go into a situation thinking I cannot succeed, I won’t. Positive thinking goes a long way.

Would you like this printable? Click here for the below version and……………………………………….

 

and click here for this version or……………………………………………………………….

here for this final version.

What are your goals for 2018? Small or big. Simple or completely daring. I’d love for you to share it in the comments below.