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.
The end of July was extremely busy for me and I had more blog posts going out and set up ahead of my holiday than I could cope with so I gave the monthly bucket list a miss for August and have simply enjoyed spending time with the family over the holidays. Also, with July being so busy I hardly got anything ticked off so figured I’d stretch it to two months and see how I got on.
July & August Goals
Family
- Keep up the weekend outings. It’s a little harder without Keith here but I am determined to keep it up. Yes, and since writing these goals Keith has been home for 4 weeks of the summer holidays and gone away again.
- Get everything organised for L’s 3rd Birthday at the start of August. Yes – although it was all a bit last minute as we were away on holiday until two days before. See 10 Brilliant Birthday Gifts for 3 Year Old Girls and Happy Days: A Holiday, Birthday & Friends for more details and pictures.
- Plan some great days out for the Summer holidays. Yes, we went on holiday for a week to Gran Canaria and have had loads of days out locally too.
Home
- Have a wardrobe clear-out. Nope, I’ll get to it eventually!
- Get our new artwork hung up. Yes and I love them.
Blog
- I’ve got really behind with replying to blog comments again so I need to catch up and then keep up with it this month. No – The blog has taken a complete backseat during the summer holidays and there’s just no way I can catch up now so I’ll be starting fresh from today.
- It’s my one year Blogoversary this month. I’m not planning anything big but I do want to do a re-cap of my year and what I have learnt. Yes, see Lessons & Achievements From 1 Year of Blogging.
- Try and get ahead with my posts so that I can schedule a few in advance for over the summer holidays. I did manage to schedule a couple for while I was on holiday but now I seem in a constant state of playing catch-up. Hopefully I can get things back on track once school starts back next week.
Me
- Make meditation part of my daily routine. I did in July but it kind of fell away during August.
- Crochet 90 squares. Nowhere near. I did well for the first half of July then things got hectic and I was working every spare minute the rest of the month. Then during August I didn’t pick up a crochet hook once!
- Exercise more consistently. Again, I did well in the first half of July then it fizzled out when I got busy. We have been very active over the holidays though so I’m not too bothered.
- Read at least one book. Or perhaps I should say finish at least one book as I have three on the go at the minute! Yes but it wasn’t any of the three I already had on the go. In fact I’ve read three and have a few reviews to get up over the coming weeks.
September Goals
Family
- Get back into our usual routine now the holidays are at an end.
- Get L settled in to pre-school for 2.5 days a week.
- Start meal planning again.
Home
- Overhaul my desk as it has become a bit of a dumping ground.
- Have a clear-out in M’s bedroom.
- No other big goals, just try and keep on top of things so that I can spend the days L is in pre-school working instead of trying to catch up on housework.
Blog
- Keep on top of comments.
- Catch up on all the outstanding reviews I have to do.
- I have a new collaboration coming up that I’m really excited about but you’ll have to wait till next week to find out what.
- Sort out a work schedule so that I don’t waste the days when L is in pre-school.
- Attend BlogOnXMAS!!!!!
Me
- Get back to my daily meditations.
- Crochet 90 squares.
- Complete module one of NCC Home Learning’s Life Coaching Course.
How about you? How did you get on over the summer? Did you achieve all you set out to? What are your plans for September?
I always love your monthly bucket lists. I find them inspiring and motivating, so thanks 😀 It’s great to have you linking up with us #FabFridayPost
Sarah TheRealLaraShoe recently posted…Artist Series: Claude Monet
Aww, thank you. Hopefully it will motivate me this month!
I do love reading what other bloggers have been up to – we’re all in the same boat with our time struggles aren’t we? It’s good to know there are others going through similar experiences though. I think it’s fantastic how you set yourself goals – and even though you don’t achieve them all, I bet you wouldn’t have got so much done had you not made plans!
Definitely, having them written down publicly makes me do so much more even if I don’t manage everything. No-one knows the time constraints of a blogger like another blogger!
This is a great idea to do a list of your targets and goals, I hope your Little One settles well into pre-school x
#thelinklinky
Jessamine Hislop recently posted…Time for a New Routine
Thank you, she’s really excited so I’m pretty sure she’s going to love it x
This is a great idea. I think I need to write down goals more. I have them mentally stored but I think it’d be more effective if they were in black and white. #thelistlinky
Ha ha, anything that I try to store mentally is immediately forgotten so black and white is essential for me x
Happy one-year blogiversary! Mine too! Well done on everything you’ve achieved in the past year. Always love reading your posts! 🙂
#FabFridayPost
Thank you, and to you. This last year has flown by hasn’t it?
Ah this has totally reminded me i haven’t written my monthly wish list post since June!! That’s the summer holidays for you! I need to get back in it. Sounds like you had a lovely summer and it’s definitely more important to spend precious family time together than blogging. Though I now feel the pressure to get back on it! Xx
Susie – This Is Me Now recently posted…#funseekingkids round-up week 22
Family definitely has to come first, and I think you’ve had your hands pretty full. The start of the school year always feels a bit like new year doesn’t it, like you have to make goals and get back in the game 😂
It is so tricky to keep on top of everything when you’re out of routine in the summer, isn’t it?! I’m like you, trying to get back into the swing of things this week. Great post- motivating to see it all written down like this, I think I might make a list for myself! #thesatsesh
This summer was definitely a write off blogging wise but then I think it has to be in a way, family always comes first and we’ve made the most of it. I have to have everything written down or I will immediately forget all about it x
It’s so hard to keep up with blogging over the summer, I think everyone is in the same place and will be playing catchup. I need to get more organised with the time I will have with Holly at preschool for 2 mornings x
Definitely. And those pre-school hours will disappear in a flash too so I certainly need some sort of schedule to keep me on track x
I really need to start setting monthly goals. This is a great push in the right direction – thank you!
It’s the only thing that actually forces me to get stuff done x
Yes – I’m with you – I need to get back into my daily meditations – it’s been more like 2 or 3 times a week during the last few weeks and I can feel myself missing it! Am looking forward to hearing about the collaboration. Good luck with settling L into pre-school xx #thesatsesh
Hayley@ Mission: Mindfulness recently posted…The Saturday Sesh #2
Thank you, I’ve managed every morning so far this month and I already feel so much better for it. The cat is out the bag now this morning so I can tell you, I’ll be helping to co-host #FamilyFun from next week to help out while Karen goes on maternity leave, very excited x
See you at BlogOn! I am hoping to get more organised this month, it is my blogiversary (yay!) in a week! Our house is in desperate need of a good tidy! #fabfridaypost
Yay, I’ll have to keep a look out for you. Happy blogiversary x
Sounds like you had a great summer. It’s always hard to keep on top of things when there’s loads of fun stuff to do. I meant to get back into running over summer. Think I’ve been 3 times since June! #familyfunlinky
Donna recently posted…Homemade Onion Bhaji Recipe
Sounds like fab goals – all the best in achieving them X #fabfridaypost
#thesatsesh I do love a post that makes you accountable and I love that you are honest to say ‘nope not even close’ – Have you been doing this for a while and if so, do you think it helps motivate you?
fridgesays recently posted…She’s a Queen bee with a little bit of savage
this is a really great idea I make lists but not monthly ones maybe I should start at least everything wouldn’t be so muddled then! #thelistlinky
Ha ha, I have a million lists all over the place but this is the only one that really works x
Well I think you did really well considering it was the holidays and you were busy. I think everything falls by the wayside a little in the holidays. I keep saying I am going to clear my wardrobe out too but alas it is another Tuesday (my child free day) and I am not doing it… thanks for joining us at #familyfun
tammymum recently posted…#Pointshoot…Calling Time