As a part of my happiness project (inspired by Gretchin Rubin) I have chosen a different goal every month this year.
This Month-October:
Working From Home
Getting work done from home is becoming more difficult. The baby is much more active and with homeschooling, I have more to do to plan for our lessons. I watched a really good video on Gretchin Rubin’s website about working from home. It’s an easy way to procrastinate. There were a few suggestions on how to get your work done from home that I want to try this month.
Suggestions: designate a work area and STAY THERE, Leave the house (I don’t have this option with my kids being home) work for 10 minutes, take a 2 minute break and repeat this pattern over and over again and use a kitchen timer. I am going to give it a try. I love my job and I love being at home with my girls so I am dedicated to focusing on this and making my time more productive!
Review of 2012 Goals
January: Health
(learn about Gluten Free Diets, start taking wheat grass shots, dry brushing, smoothies and hot water with lemon in the morning)
Follow-up: addicted to wheat grass and dry brushing. Smoothies and hot tea were more of a winter thing but now that fall is back again, I have started to drink tea again. I have learned to cook with less gluten but by no means am I completely gluten free or do I want to be.
February: Romance
(focus on my marriage, making time for each other, schedule date nights and make dave feel appreciated!)
Follow-up: Every other week date nights has been unreaslitic with an unpredictable newborn at home, but we have done really good on every other week lunch dates! We have also been making a lot of time for each other on the weekends, saying no more often and putting our family first.
March: Aim Higher (work)
(revise my current programs, develop outlines for my new programs, work with Pure Heart Studios on new blog format)
Follow-Up: March was a great month for work. I had almost 100 student letters written to me that I “promised” to answer and I have! I revised my current programs, didn’t get an outline for my new program yet and have launched a new program on my blog. I continue to aim higher in work. I have booked several schools for Fall 2012 and Winter 2013.
April: Parenthood
(being present, a role model, say no less (lighten up), write my 10 commandments)
Follow-Up: I had an excellent month focusing on parenthood. We went without tv on most days and because I was so focused on the kids, it didn’t make a difference that I didn’t have the break on those days. I was able to talk to friends on the phone during nap time more and less while my girls were awake. I used a technique I read in The Happiness Project and I feel like it’s a part of my daily language now! Instead of saying No, I say Yes. For example “Yes, you can have another cookie, tomorrow.” Instead of contstantly nagging! We went to church on Daughter’s Day and I gave the girls little gifts:)
May: Me, Me, Me
(focus on myself, more time for creative outlets, take time to learn new things!)
Follow-up: This portion sounds so self-centered while at the same time, it is really hard for me to find time for myself and let it be all about me, me, me! This month I got a hair cut. I painted my nails several times. I started yoga (again) and have been 4 weeks in a row now! I also signed up for a photoshop class (oh, how I love digital scrapbooking). I found that a mini-bucket list really inspired my creative juices! I wanted to go to sleep earlier and I didn’t accomplish that one. That’s the beauty of these monthly goals, I can refocus on this in the months to come!
June: Mid-Year Health
(focus on these healthy tasks: buy a dark glass bottle for my olive oil, (benefits here.), replace a few of my condiments with products that don’t contain high fructose corn syrup, buy alternatives to using so many ziplock bags, make my own seasonings, organize my pantry and get rid of any expired items)
Follow-Up: I did it! I made a lot of progress this month thanks to my weekly bucket lists. I also made a bucket list for my LIFE here!!!
July: Religion
(sign up for the second class at our church to become a member, complete the workbook, schedule a meeting with a member at the church to learn about joining a small group.)
Follow-Up: I signed up for the second class but did not complete the workbook. It didn’t make a lot of sense to me so I need to wait until I take the class. I did meet with a church member and have signed up for a Mops (Mothers of Preschoolers).
August: Composting
(purchase a compost system and get started)
Follow-Up: This was a funny one to look back on. I ordered the wrong compost bin and it was too big! So I did some research, talked with my hubby about what would work for him and came up with a system that would work for our family. I tried for one week and I had more fruit flies than you can imagine. It was disgusting and the way I viewed composting changed drastically. The good news is that Dave and I have decided to start a vegetable garden next spring for the girls and I to tend to. I am super happy about this development and am at peace with giving up on the composting!
September: Homeschooling
(You can read about my decision to homeschool my three year old for preschool here.)
Follow-Up: My time spent with my big kid has been super special. I planned the entire month out. Being organized was helpful. So far I am enjoying it!