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.
September Round-Up
Family
- Take the kids to Preston Park and Butterfly World. Done, you can read about it here.
- Start taking L to toddler group sessions again. Done, we started two weeks ago and she’s loving it.
- Organise a night away for the hubby and me for October. Done, but I’ve booked two nights instead of one, so excited!
Home
- Have a toy clear-out. Done
- Paint the patio doors and outside kitchen windowsill. Oops, the paint arrived today so it will get done soon
- Tidy up my wardrobe. Done
Blog
- Figure out Facebook and start posting. Sort of. I set up my page and posted a couple of times but I’m always so worried about something going out as my personal profile by mistake (there are people on there who I don’t want commenting on my blog if you know what I mean), so I think I’m going to skip Facebook for now.
- Tidy up Pinterest and add my posts. Nope, must do this.
- Work out a blogging schedule. Not quite. I wrote a post (here) about wanting to take a slight step back while hubby is at home (he works away 10 weeks at a time) which I have done, but I have a few scheduling ideas I’m working on.
Me
- Start exercising. You’re not going to believe this but, yes! I’ve enlisted the hubby as a personal trainer while he’s home so got started a week ago.
- Read at least one book. Not quite, but I have read half of two books, does that count?
- Try to get at least some crochet done. Nope, this blanket is never going to get finished. Maybe by winter 2017?
October Goals
As I mentioned, I am taking a slight step back while hubby is home (read When You Need to Take a Step Back) so this month’s goals won’t be quite as long.
Family
- Do something together as a family every weekend.
- Two night’s away with the hubby!!!!
Home
- Finally paint patio doors and outside kitchen windowsill.
Blog
- Start posting to Pinterest.
- Start posting to StumbleUpon
- Continue working on a blog schedule. I have an idea for a regular Monday series which I’m excited about.
Me
- Keep up the exercise.
- Lose enough weight to justify buying some new jeans.
How about you? How did you get on in September? Did you achieve all you set out to? What are your plans for October?






A great idea! I shall start doing this! #PicknMix
Rachel George, Ordinary Hopes recently posted…Small amount of money?
Thanks, it really has helped me x
Love your list – good luck for the month xx
#monthlybucketlist
Rachel Bustin recently posted…My Sunday Photo – A Sunny Autumn Day
Thank you x
This is such a good idea! I can completely understand why you’ve found it so helpful. Think maybe I should give it a try because I’m hugely disorganised, and blogging a check list is going to be harder to ignore!
Accountability definitely works for me. Let me know if you give it a go x
I think this is a really nice idea, to set “bucket lists” for the month. Maybe I will try this as well to see if I can get more organized 🙂
#KCACOLS
Gabriela Green recently posted…Autumn Teas I Love
It’s definitely helped me, let me know if you decide to give it a go x
It’s a great idea have a list of goals to work to. I have such little time I’m always running around like a headless chicken. I think it’s a great idea to write them down and tick them off as it gives you a sense of achievement too. Good luck with them! Torxx #PicnMix
Thank you, I’m exactly the same and if I don’t write it down not only will it not get done I’ll completely forget all about it x
I need to write a list of things to do, I always get to the end of the month and realise I have forgotten to do so much! Thanks for sharing #KCACOLS
Me too, even with a list 😁
You did very well last month! Two halves of a book definitely make one whole 😉 Good luck for this month #kcacols
He he, thank you x
Wow sounds like you’ve had a really busy month! I wish i was this organised! Well done you! #PicknMix
Thank you, I’m actually the most unorganised person I know so you’ve no idea how big a compliment that is! X
Hi, this is such a great idea! I haven’t hit a list….yet! Your post might just be kick up the backside that I needed to get one going! At the moment I have a brain crammed with things I need to do and a calendar which doesn’t quite sync with it. I like your thoughts about stepping back a little while hubby is home, blogging is soooo time consuming isn’t it.
Mainy
#KCACOLS
#thelist
Mainy – myrealfairy recently posted…10 Amazing Facts – you never knew you didn’t know!
I know that feeling well. I find it best to write everything down then pick the top three things and use them as your goal for the month. If you get them done early you can always add three more from your list later. I have to have mix of blog/family etc though or I get too bogged down in one area and the others suffer. If you do manage a list let me know x
I absolutely need to so something like this to keep me on track. I really need to start working on different things for the blog doing this might give me the push I need!
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday.
Tracey Bowden recently posted…Olivia’s Corner 1st Competition!
I can definitely recommend it, especially publicly then the accountability factor keeps you on track. Let me know if you give it a go x
Sounds like a good bucket list to me! I should maybe do one of these to prove to myself that I do actually do a lot even though I feel like I don’t! Sometimes you need it all written down in front of you to make you realise how busy you are and an accomplishment to how much we actually get done! #picknmix
Jade – Raw Childhood recently posted…15 facts about child development
You’re so right. I always feel like I’ve accomplished nothing but then when I got back through and start ticking things off it gives me a boost of confidence for the month ahead x
It’s great when you can share in an activity together. Good luck with the blog. #monthlybucketlist
Helena recently posted…Caketoppers Review: Tasty Treats With Tea
It really is. Thank you x
Wow you got loads done last month! Here’s to a brilliant October 🙂
Stevie x #MonthlyBucketList
A Cornish Mum recently posted…Monthly Bucket List – October 2016
Thank you x
Oh wow, I’ve never thought of doing a monthly bucket list! But, what a neat way to hold yourself accountable, as well as remembering the things you need to get done. I need to get a lot of work done outside and around the house before it gets too cold! Buying some new jeans could totally make its way into my list as well, haha. Thanks for sharing! <3 #KCACOLS
Thank you, it’s working for me so far. Hope you get those jeans x