Last week I wrote about weekly goals. It was really helpful to write down the things I have been trying to do on a weekly basis. However, I’ve decided that I’ll be writing monthly goals instead of weekly. I changed my mind for three reasons:
- I’m not sure if anyone wants to read my goals and check-ins on a weekly basis!
- The goals will mostly stay the same so it feels redundant to check in on a weekly basis.
- I’d like to give myself longer than 7 days to work on goals that are not daily actions I’m trying to make part of my regular routine.
October Goals
Expanding on Fitness
I wanted to expand on my personal fitness goal to exercise 5 days a week. For some of you, that’s not a lot, but for others, that number sounds daunting. If you are looking to add more movement to your day or week, start by adding movement into your already established schedule. Here are some suggestions for how you can do that:
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator. If going up the stairs is too much for right now, commit to always taking the stairs going down. Add one flight of stairs going up as you build your stamina.
- Walk or bike to work if you can. 3 out of 5 of my exercise days are walking days. I walk to and from work which equals approximately 3 miles. If you take public transportation to work, get off at an earlier stop and walk the rest of the way in to work.
- Take a 15 minute walk outside at lunchtime.
- Do a 10-20 minute Youtube video sometime during the day. Here are some of my favorites:
- Fitnessista’s Barre Burner (I love this one because it’s low impact, no equipment necessary, can be done without shoes, and it combines strength with cardio)
- POPSUGAR Fitness Full body 10 minute workout (no equipment needed – love that!)
- FitnessBlender’s Cardio Kickboxing workout (this one is longer – 25 minutes but includes the warm up and cool down. I usually do this one when I can’t get out of the house for a run.)
- Yoga with Adrienne (I recently watched some of her videos and really like her style of making yoga fun and breaking poses down very simply and methodically. She has a 30 day Yoga Series which I might try)
Spiritual Goals:
- Continue to follow my 5x5x5 Bible Reading Plan
- Pray for my husband and children using these prayer calendars
- Take 10 slow, deep breaths in the morning. Silent prayer and meditation.
Personal Goals:
- Exercise 5 days (running at least 2 of those days)
- Sleep at least 6 hours a night
- Write down 3 things I’m grateful daily
Household Goals:
- Meal Plan dinner for the weeknights
- One mini decluttering project
- Work at least 15 minutes in the basement with hubby
- Family outing on Screen Free Sundays
Blogging Goals:
- Post at least twice a week
- Finish writing pin descriptions on my old pins! (a few more to go!)
Monthly Goals:
- Date night with hubby (where we actually go out of the house together…without kids)
- One on one outings with each son.
We’ve tried doing weekly dates, but we’re finding monthly is more realistic for us, especially with each of us trying to do one on ones with our sons as well
- Self-care: go to the optometrist for my annual check up
- Self-care: get my haircut
If I don’t write these self-care “to do’s” down, they will continually be pushed to the bottom of the list in the midst of all the other “to do’s”. I know other moms will know what I’m talking about!
What are some simple ways you add movement to your day or week?
This post will be shared at these fabulous link-ups.
Thanks for the video suggestions! With the weather changing, I won’t be able to bike outside anymore so I have been looking for exercises that use only body resistance and no equipment. Since I have an office at work where I can close the door, I want to try to do a few during my lunch time as well.
That’s a great idea Lisa! When I had a more private office I used to close the door and do squats and a plank in the morning after walking in!
I would also like to thank you for the video suggestions! I walk a lot but I really should be adding more than that to my workout routine. I used to do videos all the time but they fell to the bottom of my to-do list. Maybe some new ones will motivate me!
Hi Alexandra! Yes, I try to do some strength at least twice a week- not for an hour but maybe 10-20 minutes. Even that small amount makes a difference – I feel it in the morning!
I usually break my goals down quarterly, but I’m starting to also implement monthly goals.
Quarterly goals are a great idea too Nicole. I would definitely need to post those somewhere so I didn’t forget about them!
I like this idea. I have been planning monthly goals, but the idea of breaking them down quarterly its appealing…
That’s great Eva! Quarterly goals are also a great idea.
I have fallen out of habit with so many of these especially exercise as we have jumped into the new school year. We were biking to school but that was sucking all my time since it takes 45 minutes each way. You challenge me to work it in someway.
Hi Amber! 1.5 hour bike rides sound like great cardio!
Thanks for the suggestions, especially the links to videos! Setting goals is one of the things I need to do most to get myself together. I do try to walk whenever I get the chance but exercise needs to be more of a priority for me.
Hi Joanne! It can be difficult but working it into your normal routine will hopefully make it easier to integrate
Very nice post! I think that setting goals and standards make you definitely more dedicated! I am surely going to do one for myself now 🙂
Mash | http://www.sarmash.com
That’s great Mash! You can do it!
Thanks for the youtube video suggestions! Getting WAY more movement into my daily schedule is on the top of my to-do list since I work at my computer for the vast majority of the day. I’ve been trying to take 2 short walks a day and take mini breaks from working to move around. I’ve been doing some of the exercises from this post, which help: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/08/05/undo-the-damage-of-sitting/
Elaina, I checked out your link and these are great exercises – especially as I sit here at my desk feeling my hips tighten by the hour. Thanks for sharing!
These are great Elaina! Thanks for the link. We call that squat – the “kimchi” squat in my circles!
I have never thought to put self care on my goal lists. I’ve added it into my weekly schedule so I don’t feel guilty about taking that extra time for a hair mask or whatever, but those appointments definitely get pushed to the bottom of the list again and again. I’ve been really bad at maintaining my exercise regime and I’m going to check out the links to your suggestions, although I suspect they may be above my fitness level. I currently do fitness blenders low impact 8.1/2 min cardio workout.
It’s great to see how achievable your goals are. And when I say that I mean they are well defined: rather then ‘spend more time with sons’, it’s ‘spend one on one time with sons every month. ‘ I would take a step further though, ‘Go to ____ with _____on Saturday.’
Hi Stella Lee! Yes, I agree with you that the goals could be broken down further to weekly tasks to keep it more specific. I love that fitness blender has so many options.
Great goals…. I love getting things out in paper. Prayer calendars are such a great thing. Thanks for sharing at #LFEO
Thanks Amanda! I agree that prayer calendars are a great resource
Thanks for posting this. I am in the midst of trying to reign in my home and life routine as it sometimes feels like a wild animal, difficult to tame. Two things stood out for me in your list: getting back into regular devotionals (which I am starting to do again) and yoga! I am a big fan of Yoga with Adrienne and added her Youtube channel in my own ‘fall bucket list’ on my blog – http://bit.ly/1LC6Yjp – Your post was a great reminder! Thanks 🙂
Thanks Jelica! I just recently found her yoga videos and the first one I watched was her in a wig for Halloween!
I’ve tried writing down my goals, but they always get lost in my stack of to-do lists. While it’s a great idea, it just doesn’t work for me. Besides, those goals are always with me. Many of them are ingrained. Thanks for the reminder, Brenda
Hi Brenda, thanks for sharing what works for you. I’m still working on ingraining these habits and it helps to write them down for now. Thanks for dropping by.
Thank you for sharing your goals! Putting goals in writing really helps keep me focused and motivated. I too have been trying to incorporate more movement and fitness into my daily routine. I’ve been parking a lot farther away at work and that helps get more steps in! Thanks for sharing at #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!
That’s super Heather! All the smaller things add up. I’m surprised how flights up and down our stairs doing laundry add up!
These are great monthly goals. I think doing a monthly list like this helps a lot more than the annual goals lists 🙂
I think both are great Julie. I personally haven’t gone past the monthly goals but annual goals would definitely help shape monthly goals
Such great tips!! It always helps to have others know your goals, since it helps you to stick to them a bit better! Thank you for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty
It does keep me accountable – and it helps to keep it in the forefront of my mind. Thanks for coming by and commenting. I appreciate it!
great goals. Thanks for sharing on the Healthy Living Link Party.
Setting Goals is great to keep you organized in life
I agree Gail! Thanks for dropping by
Angela! I LOVE this list. It’s absolutely perfect. I am a very goal oriented person so this resinated with me a lot. I love how you broke out your goals into categories like that. It’s clear and all of your goals are very reasonable. I love that you write down three things you are grateful for each day! That is awesome.
I wanted to say thank you so much for linking up with the #fitnessfriday link party. Make sure to come back tomorrow and link up more of your awesome articles!! We love having you! 😀
Britni from Happy Mama Tales
Thank you Britni! I think I am experiencing the benefits that they write about with gratitude. Reasonable goals are the only kind I set! ?
Great goals! I like that they are all measurable. I sometimes find myself setting goals like “Get good at….” and then when I come to tick things off as done I have no idea whether I have achieved it or not.
I was planning on setting weekly actions for myself but I realised it wouldn’t be enough time for habits to set in, or to explore things deeply enough. Like you I settled on exploring monthly goals – starting next month! 🙂
I love the premise of your site. I just went over to take a look. Monthly themes are a great idea!
Thanks so much for visiting! 🙂 I’m happy you like the premise. I can’t wait to get started properly in November, not long now!
Not long at all! I look forward to reading more.
These are awesome goals, and so well thought out! I would love to be able to work to work, or even walk on my lunch break (I’m a teacher, so even having time to eat lunch is a struggle at times)! I definitely need to take more walks after school, though. thanks for the inspiration, and thanks so much for adding your link to the Alder Collective! We hope to see you again next week!
Thanks Kayla! My husbands a teacher so I know your struggle to get any personal time (ie bathroom breaks!) is very real! Thanks for commenting!