I’ve been writing down monthly goals to help me focus in on what is important. Many of the things listed are daily habits I’m seeking to maintain or grow in. The goal is not to obtain perfection, but to make steady progress…and months when there isn’t any progress, to give myself grace and start again the next month. That is my hope for you too as you strive to implement daily/weekly/monthly habits.
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase. Thank you for your support in this way!
Things that Went well in April
- Making our bed daily
- Moving 5 days a week, running 2 times. The wonderful Spring weather is definitely helping me attain this goal. I love running next to the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.
- Meal planning every week at least 5 out of 7 days, usually all 7
- Budgeting. I’ve been recording our daily expenses and staying within budget. We had to dip into our savings for our taxes, but otherwise, we’re living within our monthly budget. I had some issues with how to handle my 3rd paycheck in March because it happened towards the end of the month. I just carried over the remainder of what wasn’t spent in March into April.
- Blogging editorial calendar. I’ve usually got my topics planned for at least 2 weeks at a time, sometimes for the whole month. I give myself the freedom to switch things up as needed through the month, but I have a lot of ideas to draw from which has been really nice. Elite Blog Academy has helped me brainstorm content ideas for the main topics that I write about.
- Posting on the blog twice a week.
- 1:1 Dates with my sons and hubby.
Things That Didn’t Go as well:
- My morning routine. I have been letting myself sleep in in the morning and I haven’t given myself time to follow my morning routine.
- Sleep. I think I’ve been getting at least 6 hours most nights, but I’ve been staying up way too late…hence the above.
- Gratitude. I usually write my gratitude list in the mornings, reflecting over the day before, but since I haven’t made the time for my morning routine a lot of this month, I haven’t been writing my gratitude lists. I think I’d like to try reflecting at the end of the evening and doing my list at night as I’m winding down in May.
- Decluttering. I’ve been focused on small spring cleaning projects more than intentional decluttering, but I do want to refocus on consistently decluttering. As I switch out my Winter wardrobe, I’d like to re-evaluate if I actually wore things that I held onto after we used the KonMari method on our clothes.
Evaluating the things that didn’t go well, I would say that the key focus of May in terms of routine is going to be: go to sleep by 11pm and wake up at the usual time with the children (my husband wakes them up and drives them to school). I know – it’s a luxury, and one of the benefits of this “in between time” in his career transition.
I also need to keep tracking my daily habits. It’s a great way for me to see how I’m actually doing. I’m not a huge data person, but I’m finding that collecting the facts actually helps with tweaking goals and routines.
SMART Goal
I’m choosing one goal from the past that I haven’t touched yet, and I’m going to try to make it a SMART goal. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.
The goal I’m choosing to focus on in May is to paint the boy’s bedroom.
- By May 8, I will have the room taped and prepped.
- By May 15, I will have the edging done in the room.
- By May 22, I will have the walls painted.
- By May 29, I will paint the trim.
I think that’s a SMART goal, but if you all have any advice (on painting or SMART goals), please let me know in the comments! Any advice appreciated!
April’S TOP 3 LIST:
As part of these monthly recaps and goals, I’m sharing the top 3 posts and top 3 things I was grateful for this past month.
TOP 3 POSTS IN April
- 10 Lessons Learned After a Year of Decluttering
- The Secret to Start Living Mindfully Today
- Stress Free Meal Planning for Beginners
TOP 3 THINGS I WAS GRATEFUL FOR IN April
- Finding my keys after I lost them for 2 weeks.
- My friend who invited and treated me to a fun event this month.
- Getting to watch our youngest play TeeBall. He’s our first son who has played, so it’s fun getting to know the sport and the other families in the neighborhood.
MONTHLY GOALS FOR May
SPIRITUAL GOALS:
- Continue to follow my 5x5x5 Bible Reading Plan
- Pray for my husband, children, and loved ones daily
- Continue to ask God for specific verses to pray for my husband and children individually
- Take at least 3 slow, deep breaths in the morning. Silent prayer and meditation.
PERSONAL GOALS:
- Intentional movement 5 days of the week (running at least 2 of those days).
- Be in bed by 11pm. Sleep at least 6 hours a night, with 7 hours being ideal.
- Write down 3 things I’m grateful for daily each evening.
HOUSEHOLD GOALS:
- Meal Plan dinner for the weeknights
- Maintaining the decluttered areas
- Painting the boys’ bedroom.
- Work at least 15 minutes in the basement with hubby. We’re planning on tackling the basement with renewed vigor in the new year.
- Budget and track daily expenses using the free EveryDollar app.
WRITING GOALS:
- Continue with a blogging editorial calendar for the month!
- Post at least twice a week on my blog
- Contribute an old post on Huffington Post. I was so excited to become a contributor to Huffington Post. You can find my entries so far here.
MONTHLY GOALS:
- Date night with hubby (where we actually go out of the house together…without kids)
- One on one outings with each son.
What are some goals that you have for May?
This post shared at these lovely link ups.
Making our bed daily – I am glad to see that I am not the only one with that goal 😀
Hi Marina! Such a simple thing but I think it does make a difference.
I love SMART goals! I taught a whole unit on the idea last semester. I’ve got some painting on my to-do list, too- refinishing a big dresser and a crib- so hopefully we’ll both know those out this month!
Your painting jobs are probably more important than mine Abby! But I do hope we’re both able to knock them out this month.
Hi, I’m loving your thoroughly SMART goals for may!
For me writing it all down is so important. Looking back and seeing what you’ve already accomplished can give much positive energy. Looking forward to seeing your progress!
Thanks Mandy! Looking back is definitely helpful and encouraging.
This are great goals Angela. My big goal is to get around meal planning – it just adds so much organization to your day and schedule. Congrats on picking up running – so good for you!
You know I love meal planning and I’m so glad to see you do so well with meal planning in April. I love too that you stuck to your editorial calendar for the most part. With EBA, I’ve had a hard time getting out any more than the bare minimum. I know things are only going to get busier with summer approaching so I’ve really got to get my blogging in gear!
Blog Ahead is starting now so hopefully I can get some of my posts done that I’d like to. Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday Linkup. Pinning to our linkup board and hope you found some great posts to visit this week!
Hi Tanya! I’m happy to say that meal planning has finally become a habit that makes our family life run much smoother! I’m finding that planning an editorial calendar also makes life a lot easier as well. I’m glad EBA is self paced. Slow and steady wins the race right?
I absolutely love this idea of posting SMART goals every month and identifying specific dates you will have milestones accomplished, great idea! Visiting from Mommy Monday!
Thanks Monica! I’m hoping the SMART goal will actually help me accomplish the task!
All of those are such good goals! I need to get back into goal setting. Good Luck painting the room. I tweeted and am now following you on Twitter. Have a great week!
Thanks! Goal setting has really helped me get more focused. Organization isn’t a natural thing for me, so it’s definitely a helpful tool.
My goal in May is to create more content that my readers will enjoy and benefit from. (It worked in April.) 🙂
On a personal level, I’m striving to work out three days a week. I’m also cutting down the amount of sugar I intake too.
Those are great goals Crystal!
I like the idea of a SMART goal. I have had a seriously massive project at work that has put everything on the back burner. Now that it is over, I want to finish up the closet remodel that I started A YEAR AGO! SMART goals should get me there! Thanks for the idea!
Your welcome Jill! I hope it helps you get that closet remodel done!
I’m working on Decluttering too & it’s not going so well! It sounds like you had some real positives over the month. Very cool to be a contriubtor to Huffington Post!!
Thanks Angela!
Great goals, Angela! Congrats on finding your keys after TWO WEEKS. Wow, I would have been flipping out ,haha 😉
Blessings,
Edye | http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com
Hi Edye – I was so relaxed about it, it was strange. I kept thinking they were going to show up somewhere in the house (since they weren’t at the lost and found at work). Sure enough, they showed up when I was weeding around our new garden bed (formerly known as the sandbox). Good thing I decided to weed or else I may have never found the keys!
Great goals, and great detailed routine. I love the fact that you included “gratitude” as part of your goals.
Thanks Sophia. It’s so easy to forget ways we are blessed isn’t it? It does my fickle heart good to regularly remember the good. Thanks for dropping by and commenting!