At the start of each month I like to set myself a list of goals for the coming weeks, a monthly bucket list if you will. I have found that it really helps to keep me on track and by publishing it on the blog there is an element of accountability that gives me the proverbial kick up the butt needed. I got the idea from the lovely Beth at twinderlemo.co.uk who hosts a linky for this purpose each month and I have found it invaluable. I like to keep a mix of blog/family/life/home goals to keep life balanced. Each month I will quickly recap how I got on with the previous months goals before listing the goals for the month ahead.
January Round-Up
Family
- Make the most of the weekends now that the holidays are all but over. We’ve tried, but given the bad weather and the fact at least one of us was ill every weekend we haven’t really done a great deal.
- Continue with the meal planning that we started last month. M is picking most of the meals (with a little guidance and a few suggestions) so when it comes to tea time there are no arguments about what is being served. It has made life so much simpler. Yes. This has become part our weekly routine now and it’s going brilliantly.
Home
- Have yet another toy clear-out to make way for all the new toys the kids received at Christmas. Done
- Do some decluttering. I have signed up to The Organised Life Project being run by the lovely Naomi over at lifebynaomi.com with a different area of life being tackled each month. It looks like its going to be a great series if you want to go check it out. Big fat fail. Naomi’s course is fantastic I’m just really bad at keeping up with it, hopefully I’ll do better next month!
- Get quotes for a vestibule door and fan light. I have someone coming round later in the week.
Blog
- I have set myself a new daily schedule so that the blog doesn’t completely take over other areas of my life. That means I am going to have to become much more productive with the time I set aside and very strict with myself. This is still a work in progress but as I don’t always stick to it, but I have definitely been much more productive this month.
- Catch up on all the blog comments I received while I was taking a break. Done.
- Set up an email list. If anyone has any advice or suggestions they would be gladly received! Done, you can sign up below x
- Create one free resource for subscribers. Again, any suggestions much appreciated. Done. I have set up a freebies page and have started creating a workbook to go along with the Words To Live By post each Monday.
- Re-write my about page. Done, although I think it could maybe do with a bit more work.
- Organise my Pinterest boards. Done, although I’m still tweeking as I learn more.
Me
- Read at least one book this month. Done, and I’m half way through another.
- Crochet 6 squares a day (186 for the month). I’m in the process of making a stormtrooper pixel blanket but it requires 625 squares and I only have 100 or so done so far, so I need to make it a daily habit if I’m ever going to finish. I haven’t quite managed the 6 every single day as it takes me about an hour and a half and finding that much free time hasn’t always been easy, so I only made 112 for the month. It’s better than nothing though and I’m certainly further along than I was. I also discovered I had done more than I thought last year so my total now stands at 258.
- Exercise (as always). Nope. Other than walking the dogs every day this another big fat fail.
- Drink more water. I am terrible and can somehow get through a whole day before realising I haven’t had a drink since breakfast. Kind of. I’m definitely drinking more than I was, but still not enough.
February Goals
Family
- Make more of an effort at weekends to actually get out and about.
- Have some nice days out during half term.
- Have a baking session with the kids.
Home
- Get back into my cleaning rota as things have slipped a bit lately
- Get the car serviced.
Blog
- Start scheduling tweets with Buffer
- Continue working on Pinterest and join a few group boards.
- Register as self-employed now that I have a had a few media enquiries.
- Take Aby’s Blog Growth Accelerator Course
Me
- Read another book.
- Exercise (I know, I know, you can stop laughing now)
- Continue to up my water intake.
- Crochet 6 squares a day again (168 for the month).
How about you? How did you get on in January? Did you get the year off to a good start and achieve all you set out to? What are your plans for February? https://mannligapotek.com/cialis-sublingual-reseptfri/
These bucket lists are such a great idea. I bet they’re amazing for motivation and a fab feeling when you see what you’ve achieved! #bestandworst
Definitely, knowing I have to admit to everyone if I haven’t done anything is a huge motivator!
It looks like you had a very productive month! I am impressed at your crocheted squares count! I have also just registered myself as self-employed. It feels like an exciting step – like I’m finally accepting how much I love blogging and that it’s actually going really well! Good luck with February #FamilyFun
Thank you. Well done for registering, I just did it today, it definitely makes it all a bit more real now!
I am struggling with upping how much water I drink too, but tea, I am doing great with that lol. I love that you have been able to read a book, I really need to find time to do things like that.
#FamilyFun
Ali Duke recently posted…My Empties January 2017
Thank you, I don’t even manage enough if I count the cups of tea so really need to improve!
Fab list, I need to do a big toy clear out too. They have so many we can’t move for toys!
#BestandWorst
thetaleofmummyhood recently posted…Positivity Breeds Positivity…
Ha ha, we’ve just had a clear out and we still can’t move, think I need to be a bit more brutal with the next clear out x
I need to make a bucket list/goals for Feb too! Great idea. #bestandworst
Thanks, keeps me accountable 😬
You done so well in January. I really need to get to grips with Pinterest, I don’t do anything with it. There is just always so much to do, I never get to it. Well done on meal planning, I love doing this each week. x #bucketlist
Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…A Day In The Life Of…Life As A Mum
Thank you, it’s very much still a work in progress but I’m getting there slowly x
You succeed with so much more than me by just creating a bucket list!! I gave up doing this, the shame on me! Good effort on the crocheting, I’m doing a play mat and one 10cm square takes a couple of hours!! Lots of different stitches though 😊
Well done
Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky
Karen | TwoTinyHands recently posted…Exploring Creativity #FamilyFunLinky
Ha ha, it’s the only thing that keeps me organised and accountable, otherwise I’d do nothing! I’m extremely slow with crochet. It takes 15 min to do each 3inch square and it’s just a basic stitch, and that doesn’t include weaving in the ends, I’ve got all that to do at the end😩
Looks like you’ve achieved an awful lot – I always think it’s such a great idea to set monthly goals, I need to start doing this. I’m also failing with the exercise – but like to think that walking the dog does count! your plans for this month all sound achievable – I so could do with a cleaning rota! #coolmumclub x
Thank you. It’s the only thing that forces to actually get stuff done. Maybe I’ll add my rota as a free printable x
Ooh I love your discipline and determination! Can’t wait to see how Abys course changes your blog – been thinking about it myself actually…
Thanks for linking to #coolmumclub!
MMT recently posted…#coolmumclub Linky week 55
Aww, thank you. The course is great so far x
Lots of exciting things going on. Love your words to live by posts and the fact you’ve got a secret area for subscribers. #monthlybucketlist
Helena recently posted…Doing the Shennington Shuffle
Thank you 😘
Great goals! I’m also going to take Aby’s Blog Growth Accelerator course! Hoping to up my game so to speak! xx
#monthlybucketlist
RACHEL BUSTIN recently posted…January Review and February Bucket List
Yay, I’ll ‘see’ you in class x
What a lovely way to stay focused and achieve your goals – I hope you have a successful February 🙂 #TheList
Helen x
http://www.treasureeverymoment.co.uk/
Thank you x
This is a brilliant idea. What a great way to stay on track for the month. I may have to copy this idea! #FabFridayPost
Do it, it’s the only thing keeping me on track x
Wow! You are so organise! I did tried making a bucket list once – but it didn’t work. Let me know how you got on at Abi’s course. I am intrigue I want to sign on too.
Thank you so much for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost x
Su {Ethan & Evelyn} recently posted…#FabFridayPost Linky #69 {03.02.17}
Ha ha, my husband would probably say I’m the most disorganised person in the world! That’s why these lists are essential, if I don’t write it down it doesn’t get done, simple as that x
Oooh a monthly bucket list is such a good idea 🙂
Have you tried social oomph for scheduling tweets? I was using Hootsuite and Tweetdeck, but have trialled Social Oomph and just signed up this evening as so impressed with the ‘queues’ feature 🙂
I’ve been lusting after Social Oomph for a while but I can’t justify paying for anything just yet, I’m working on it though (I have a birthday coming up in April 😉)
Great list, I always try and schedule tweets and fail miserably!! #Imusttryharder thanks for linking up #bestandworst
Helen Gandy recently posted…Jewels with Berganza.
Yeh, that ones not going too well so far 😂
I love this. You’re so organised. I might try this. I too signed up to Naomi’s organised life project and have failed. I can’t even get to those emails!! I just felt a massive wave of overwhelm come over me!!! Your exclusive content idea is great, I need to think of something but am struggling at the moment! #FamilyFun
Susie – This Is Me Now recently posted…Why I’m rocking motherhood
They sound like great goals but there’s an awful lot! haha you will have to let us know if you did them all! #fabfridaypost