WOW… OK…It’s already February 2017!!
New month, new goals. I decided NOT to make resolutions, I am not trying to set myself up for failure. Goals are things that I can set out to achieve, and if i don’t, I can try the next month. Resolutions? Promises that are set in stone… like a deal with the devil.
So…I thought why not share them with you, and up the accountability factor? If I put my goals out in the blogosphere, I HAVE to complete them right? Uh… check with me in March 🙂
So here they are…..
1. Read 1 book a month – I have played around with the idea of discussing books that I feel would interest my readers. What’s the best way to introduce these books? Should I read them first, then post? Or create a list of titles i’m interested in, and share that with a follow up review. Hold on… as I still try to ponder this one…. At the rate i’m going, it may be easier to post the list!!! My plan is to have a new book suggestion post EVERY MONTH for the Middle Years Journey Book Club.
2. Exercise at least 3 days per week – As much as I’d LOVE to be the girl who goes to the gym on a consistent basis or straight after work for that matter, i’m not her. I honestly prefer walking at my neighborhood park. The problem is, by the time I get home from work at 4pm, I have about 45 minutes to get there and start walking before it gets dark. I have a gym membership, as well as a mini gym in my master planned community. To me, there is nothing like walking around the park, looking at the mountains, and clearing my head. I owe it to myself to set aside at least 30 minutes to have some much needed quiet time. I mean, after working all day, all I want to do is cook my family a fabulous meal, clean, and do a quick load of laundry! Don’t you? (insert sarcasm here), Yes right!! I want to go to bed!!
3. Complete at least 1 Udemy online class – In November, I received a Black Friday Sale email from Udemy for online classes. I signed up for 4!!! At $13.00 it was a steal! Udemy is an online “learning marketplace” where you can find web classes on topics such as; software, blogging, music, and languages. You simply order the class, and take them at your own pace. Obviously, my pace is slow (remember the Tortoise and the Hare? I’m the tortoises Grandma)…..I’m determined to complete 1 every 2 months or so. All 4 classes purchased are blog related, so I am looking forward to learning more about blogging, and how to grow my business Gosh… that sounds SO confident!! (www.udemy.com)
4. Increase my Blog Posts – Blogging isn’t as easy as it seems. Especially for newbies. I have tons of ideas written down, but can’t really nail down what I want to write about. Should I write posts that interest just Midlife women? Any women? Or should I write what I’m feeling at that moment? It’s a toss up sometimes. The key to blogging is consistency. My plan is to map out 3 more blog topics and post a new one each week for the rest of the month. If i continue to doubt myself, I will never move ahead. That’s not a good thing. I owe it to myself to TRY! I’m going to try not to worry about “numbers” and that game. The way I see it, I’m just starting out, I never would have guessed I’d be where I am in this short amount of time. Baby steps…
5. Refocus on my Podcast – This is a biggie. I created The Middle Years Podcast before the blog. Although blogging was my first goal. The podcast & blog were supposed to intersect, and allow me to have 2 platforms to discuss midlife issues. Michelle and I have recorded a few episodes so far, until December, when we ran into technical issues. She lives in GA and i’m in CA, so we are limited in what we can use to record. Then the holidays happened, so that pushed it further back. We both have blogs (Michelle is a foodie), and we were trying to launch everything at the same time! What in the hell were we thinking?? I’m spinning my wheels trying to navigate this social media maze for my blog, and barely have time to do the same with the podcast. Hopefully, we can get our bearings back, and crank out an episode before the end of the month.
So there you have it! What I have planned for the next 21 days…#goals #Icandothis #accountability #wishmeluck
What are some of your goals for the month? Be sure to check on me in March…. please??!! 🙂
Until next time…..
Crystal
You have some great goals for this month! One of my goals is to definitely blog more frequently. I feel like once I get into a good rhythm it won’t feel like it’s so daunting. I want to read few books too! Good luck with your goals this month.
You have sound goals Chrystal! Go get them. I am with you on completing an online course, I am doing it with Alison though.
On the working out 3 times a week, walk the neighborhood one day a week and use the gym on the other two for a balance.
Hi There… That is a great idea!! I like using the elliptical machines.. and recently found a few exercise tips for it!
These are some great goals! I must try some of your ideas 🙂
Thank you Rebekah!!
Yes I love this! It has totally inspired me to do a goals post! I’ll be checking up on march to see if you kept up with it!
http://claudiachampagne.com
Hi Claudia! You should do one!! If so, I will check it out and help support you!
Post book list – love this idea!
Time changes in March.
Will you share Michele’s blog link? Love foodies!
Hi Sheri!
Sure!! Michelle’s blog is That will also link to her Paleo website as well! I can’t wait for the time change…I really enjoy my park!!
Sounds like you have some great goals for the month! I’d love to see a list of the books you’re planning to read, because I need some suggestions too! =)
Hi Brandi!!
I am working on that list and hope to have it as my first post in March!!
Love this and really looking forward to your book suggestions.
Hi Sue!!! Thank you for reaching out!!! I will have my list up very soon!!! 🙂
Girl I’m totally with you! I would love to be the girl who exercises multiple days a week, but ugHHH! haha! Good for you for setting these goals!
Thank you Krista!!!
This is like reading inside my mind! Except for the Podcast. I don’t have one of those yet. But I’m desperately trying the “gym 3 x a week” thing. So far, if I start today I should be able to get it done! Best of luck!!! To us both, lol!
Hi Erica…. you would think 3 days is easy to squeeze in… not so much!! I’m going to try walking this coming week before it rains again!! Best of luck to you too!!
I like this post! I think it’s really important to set new small goals each month to keep on track! You’re doing great!
Thank you Margaret!
Hey Crystal, I plan on exercising thrice a week too. If I plan on doing more, I will end up doing none at all. 4 courses for $13? I’m crying! I wish I’d known then! Good luck with your podcast 🙂
Thank you so much Shruti!!! Your help and guidance in our FB group is priceless! Thank you for reaching out!!
These are some great goals, I may have to borrow a few of them! Right now, I too want to commit to working out 3-5 times a week, studying for a certification exam, and uploading consistently on my Youtube Channel. I think we’ve got this!
Keep it up Dana… you have a full plate!! you are right, We got this!
ps. I subscribed to your channel 🙂
I still have a class I bought on Creative Live from New Years that I have not watched. Oi! Need more time!!
Hi Yolanda! Thank goodness these classes allow you to watch them at your own pace!! We just have to set aside 30 minutes to start… easier said than done right!!
#1, 2, 4 are similar to mine 🙂 I agree with you goals are better than resolutions! I also found that dividing up goals into smaller easily-achievable goals make them more reachable. Look forward to checking in with you in March!
Thank you Briana! Please keep me posted on your progress as well!! We have to stick together!!
I think it’s great to use your blog for accountability!! I am sooo bad at holding myself accountable >.< I hope for this month I can get back into a gym routine, and also start going to bed earlier. Big goal: stop falling asleep at work lol but your goals seem like really good steps! Nothing too crazy, but still productive! That's the way to do it =)
Hi Alicia… Going to bed earlier…. That’s a good one!! I have the worst time with that, and i always pay the price the next day!! I need to get permanent eyeliner to hide my bags!!
This is wonderful, I believe it is so important for us to write down our goals, no matter how big or small they are. I love the quote “a goal is not a goal unless it is written down, until then its just and idea” – no idea who said it but I live by that. Good luck in February!
Thank you Julia! Funny, I just came across that quote a few days ago and saved it to my phone!!
Great post! I think these are some really great goals. Self improvement is always good. Let me know how the classes go!
Hi! I will… I’m going to start one next week, as I have a 3 day weekend… I will keep you posted and see if they’re any that I can suggest!
No goals this month. Just trying to feel like a human being again. Preparing for a new baby next month and taking care of my first tiny human has been more than enough. Most days I’m pretty convinced I’m just sleepwalking.
I really should get my act together though and push for one or two goals to meet; start off small! Also, I would love to know how you do a podcast.
Great goals, You can do it!
Hi Letitia!! Congrats to you!! You have a lot of head of you!! The goals will go out the window and that’s OK!! A new baby? Much more fun!!
Just reach out anytime if you have podcast questions…. That is a work in progress!!
I love this list. I have learned that setting goals for myself is imperative. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Candi!! I’m up for the challenge…. so far so good 🙂
Sounds like some great goals! One way of tracking goals that I use, is keeping track on a calendar each day I completed a task. That way I can look back on the week to see what days I actually met that goal.
Hi Sakeenah! That is a great idea!!! I will incorporate that next month and see if that helps. I have 3 planners, so I can make sure that I never miss a beat. Thank you!!!
You got this!! Seriously, blogging is so much more time consuming than people make it out to be haha
Hi Vy!! OMG you are so right!!! I am forcing myself to have some downtime, yet i’m constantly thinking ahead to the “next step” 🙂