my goals for the year

i’ve always had resolutions … but they would be maybe 1 thing that I wanted to focus on for the year.  as i’ve gotten older and i have less time and more responsibility it seems like i have a lot more to work on.  for the past 2 years i’ve started to set goals for myself.  it was after i read the happiness project  and i liked the idea of what gretchen ruben did but even as "type a" as i try to make myself i just wasn’t able to fully commit to all of that – but what i could do was to identify some major areas that i wanted to work on and then some goals under each of those areas.  i’ve made some good progress but if i’m being entirely honest i also haven’t committed to the tracking part as much as i should.  so this year one of my goals is really related to that.  i thought i’d share my goals with all of you and i’d like to do periodic updates as to how i’m doing.  i’m thinking maybe quarterly – but the accountability will be good for me. 

before i get into the nitty gritty i do want to send a shout out to ruth from living well, spending less, she makes a great goal planning workbook if you’re new and you don’t know where to start or even if you’re a seasoned goal professional … reading through it made me set some goals around habits and think about both long term and short term planning.  

2014 personal goals

 1. quality family time with hubs & the kids

• every sunday make plans for a family activity for the week 
• designate one week night a "family night" & eat together & do an activity
• commit to a minimum of 1 date night per month with hubs

 2. get creative through photography & interior design

• hold a themed "photo shoot" with the kids each month
• set aside time each month to download and edit pics and make something with them
• create mood boards for all of the rooms in the basement
• redecorate the powder room
• complete pin-board projects for around the house

 3. improve my overall health & appearance ... look good & feel good in '14!!!

• work out every week day!!
• be my own trainer!!
• stick to the eating plan in january & february
• find a local general doctor and get in for a check-up

 4. know where our money is going ... and cut down on frivolous spending

• participate in weekly budget meetings
• find ways to cut out everyday spending
• organize areas around the house so i know what i have

 5. career ... try to answer ... what do i want to be when i grow up?

• participate in 6 "networking" events this year
• write meaningful blog posts 3x/week
• create "the dream" business plan
• read 6 leadership books this year

 6. stay on top of it ... commit to planning

• figure out what org tools i'm going to use and stick with them
• carve out 30 min/day to review the goals of the day & week
• carve out 60 min/week to plan out goals for the week/month
• review how the plan is working every month

morning habits to create: 

• drink a cup of water every morning 
• work out every week day
• eat breakfast with the kids every day
  

evening habits to create: 

• read to kids every night
• put on face creme, brush & floss every night
• improve productivity at night (start in feb)
• prep coffee every night
• write what you're grateful for every night

i know it's a lot ... that's just who i am ... i over-commit (maybe that should be a goal to work on next year).  not sure that i'll get to ALL of these or maybe will have to come back and change some ... we'll see.  

do you have resolutions?  or goals?  what do you do to stick to them?  

happy new year

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this has become my favorite time of the year ... it the time that the year starts over, new goals are made, and we take the opportunity to put away all of the decorations & have a fresh, clean & organized home ... hope you all enjoy your fresh start!

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happy friday!

sending holiday cheer

everyone that knows me … knows that i love holiday cards.  it’s the one time of year that I feel we can connect with folks that we don’t always have a chance to throughout the year.  i get so excited when i get cards from friends who are far away and get to see what fun things they did for the year … or how fast kids grow.  this year we’re going to disney world before christmas and my 2^nd goal of the trip is to take some great pictures for my holiday card {the 1^st goal is to have a great family vacation}.  i’ve picked out several of my favorite designs and based on my pictures i’ll make the final selection when we get home.

below is my short list from my favorite publishers ... minted, shutterfly & tiny prints

 {magic, peace, joy, holidays, plaid, cheer, & wonder}

& don't forget ... these publishers are always running specials so snag that deal!

coffee break + shop

 it's the kinda morning in colorado that you just want to snuggle up with your cup and watch it snow.

 
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happy holidays!

holiday desk décor

i don’t like to go too overboard with holiday décor in the office but i’ve found a little goes a long way … and with more corporations not allowing decorations i’ve found putting a few fun little things in my office tends to lift spirits.  i tend to steer clear of anything religious {remember i work in hr after all} but just adding some winter items or pops of holiday color set a festive mood.  here are some ideas to inspire you ... 

 

 

  

 

{pencils, peppermints,  snowflake mugs, green frame, red bowl, file folders, snow globes, paper cups}

happy {work} holidays! 

holiday crafts with kids

one of my fond memories growing up was all of the craft projects i would do at school or at home with my mom around various holidays {not just christmas} so last year I started what will hopefully be a tradition of a “christmas craft day”. i want to make memories with my kids but also have some keepsakes to decorate the house with for years to come and this will accomplish both!  this year i’m going to let babygirl invite over one of her best friends to join in the fun.    

you don’t have to be crafty to do these projects … and it doesn’t need to take a whole lotta time either.  below are the projects we’re planning to do – all of these projects I pulled off of pinterest {love} and below you will find a full list of supplies and links to the REAL creative person behind them.  just take this list to hobby lobby, joanne’s or michaels and you too can have a “christmas craft day”.  

 images of projects {that we're going to try}

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we are going to have so much fun ... we are going to do christmas manicures and watch christmas movies to complete the crafty sleepover. 

shopping list

popsicle sticks

paint

ribbon

glue

embellishments {optional}

foam ball

pom poms

glitter glue

cardstock

scrapbook paper

graham crackers

royal icing

candy

cardboard

wooden ornaments

chalkboard spray paint

will let y'all know how it turns out!