A New Year, a few new goals

Some years I make resolutions, some years I don’t. This year however we had a great talk at church about setting goals, whether it be the New Year or not, and accomplishing them. He mentioned expecting some disappointment and being prepared for things to not go as expected. So this year I have set some really attainable goals and some maybe “not so easily” attainable goals and hopefully by the end of the year I will have had some success.

Here are my goals:

#1 Spend less time on the computer and more time with my kids.

• The idea seems fairly simple, but I work on the computer, I blog on the computer, and I often shop on the computer so this will take some discipline.
• I easily get distracted after working and blogging and keep browsing. My goal is to do what I need to do and get off.
• I plan to use the computer more before the kids wake up, naptime and when they are in bed.

#2 I want to be genuinely more happy and fun to be around.

• I do a lot of the same things every day. I often find things monotonous and then appear less happy when doing them. I am going to try to mix things up a little and try harder to enjoy the things that have to be done.
• I am going to try to do a little less hollering and a little more talking and hugging. I love my kids dearly but I can be quick to anger when nobody listens. 🙂
• I am learning that life is what I make of it. I can’t rely on others to make me happy so I am trying to take those steps for myself.

#3 I plan to be more aware of my friends and extended family and express my love and appreciation for them.

• I am going to try to email, call, send a card/treat, just something when my family and/or friends have a birthday or are having a tough time.
• I think I always find I am happier when I am doing for others. Plus it teaches my kids the importance of being kind to people.

#4 Making time for me. (This is probably the most difficult of all.)

• I love to exercise and I need to lose a few pounds. Although my ultimate goal isn’t to lose a ton of weight and be super skinny, I do find that when I exercise I am happier. I love to run, do water aerobics, yoga, etc. If I do those things I will naturally shed some weight and feel better.
• I need to find time for naps and for reading — two things I don’t get to do often with five young children. I need to strengthen my “spiritual me” and if I take time to relax, sneak a quick nap, and then read and study, I think it will help me reach my other goals as well as keep my life in balance.

#5 Be a more of aware of the foods I eat and feed my family.

• Unhealthy food is quick and easy. With my busy life it is easy to rely on those type of foods to feed our family. However, I am finding that a lot of snacks nowadays can be healthy. It may take more time, but in the end it will be worth it.
• Educate myself better on what is healthy and not healthy. It also wouldn’t hurt to get some recipes with less cream and butter and more fresh vegetables. 🙂

#6 Get out of debt. This is last but certainly not least.

• Seth and I have been pretty focused on this last year but now it is within grasp. By the end of 2009 we plan to free of any bad debt (we’ll only have our house and one car payment). To do this we will:
  1. pay off student loan and remaining credit card balances cards
  2. pay off our van in the next couple of months and shift those payments to the car
  3. increase our emergency fund to cover 3-6 months of expenses in case of unemployment, etc.
• We need to be aware that we will have unexpected expenses along the way and things won’t always go as planned but as long as we are headed in the right direction then we are good.
• I personally need to work on not feeling deprived and realize that we have to “live like no one else now so we can live like no one else later” (a quote from Dave Ramsey’s book “A Total Money Makeover”)
• We decided that if we can accomplish this we will finally take the kids on a much anticipated trip to Disneyland early next year (cash only of course).

So there you have it. It is more for me than it is for anyone reading this. I find it is helpful to share goals as I then feel more accountable. I will review my goals throughout the year and reevaluate. I will then follow-up at the end of the year and see how I did. Wish me luck!