My 3 in 30 Goals for January

All week I’ve been talking about how to set realistic and reachable goals.

Today, it’s time for me to share my goals for the January 2011 3 in 30 Challenge.

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{1} Faith

I will be in the Word daily, taking time to identify at least

one verse to reflect on and apply to my life.

In the past few weeks, I’ve been slacking in my daily time in the Word. It shows in many areas of my life, including my blogging. In order to keep accountable in this goal, I will be blogging my daily reflections here at AP Freewriting.

{2} Fitness

I will do at least 20 minutes of cardio at least five days a week.

This summer, I started running regularly, and I actually enjoyed it. But when it started getting darker earlier in the mornings, it became unsafe to be running in our neighborhood. When we moved, I was really looking forward to running again, but life got busy and it got pushed to the back burner. I want to start at least walking each morning (even if I have to take the kids with me), eventually building back up to my summer running mileage and time.

{3} Food

I will eat at least one serving each of fruit and vegetables each day.

I’m horrible about eating a balanced diet, especially where fruits and vegetables are involved. I actually like eating both – I just forgot to fix them as sides with my meals. I want to start eating more of each, not only for myself, but also as a reminder to serve them to my family.

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>>> What about you? <<<

>>> Are you joining the 3 in 30 Challenge starting on Saturday? <<<

>>> What are YOUR goals for the new year? <<<

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Want to stay better connected?

Winner of "The Moon Shines Down" Announced!!

5 Elements in a Well-Balanced Prayer Life

How to Set SMART {GOALS}

Did you miss the first two posts in this series? Be sure to read {GOALS} Getting Started and 10 Tips for Setting Reasonable {GOALS}.

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One of the biggest downfalls when setting goals is setting goals that are too big and/or cannot be measured. In order to set attainable goals, you need to set SMART goals.

{S} Set SPECIFIC Goals: A specific goal is more attainable than a generic goal.

Bad: “I will lose weight.”
Good: “I will lose five pounds in four weeks.”

{M} Set MEASURABLE Goals: Goals need to have a way of being objectively measured.

Bad: “I will gain followers/subscribers on my blog.”
Good: “I will gain fifteen followers/subscribers on my blog this month.”

{A} Set ACHIEVABLE Goals: Goals that are achievable help you to build future success on previous success.

Bad: “I will lose fifteen pounds by Friday.”
Good: “I will lose five pounds this month.”

{R} Set REALISTIC Goals: A realistic goal is a goal that you are both willing and able to accomplish.

Bad: “I will train from couch-potato to marathon-ready in one month.”
Good: “I will train from couch-potato to 5K-ready in one month.”

{T} Set TIMELY Goals: If a goal does not have a time frame set on it, it is much less likely to be accomplished.

Bad: “I will run a marathon someday.”
Good: “I will be in shape to run a 5K on February 1st.”

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What SMART goals are you working on this month?

Join the 3 in 30 Challenge for accountability and encouragement to make your goals reality!

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Want to stay better connected?

Winner of "The Moon Shines Down" Announced!!

5 Elements in a Well-Balanced Prayer Life

Getting Dressed Works for Me {12.29.10}

Can I just say, if I didn’t have the accountability that this weekly linkup brings, I probably wouldn’t get dressed half as often!

I truly do appreciate the accountability and encouragement in getting dressed each day, setting the tone for productivity in my home, and seeking to make myself more attractive (inside and out) for my husband!

{Here are my caveats for this weekly What I Wore Wednesday series.}

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This week, I decided to do a daily breakdown of my outfits.

(I apologize for the grainy-ness of the photos. Taking photos with an iPhone in low light tends not to lend itself to great quality.)

{Wednesday} Jesus’ Birthday Party

Shirt: Old Navy
Jeans: AE (hand-me-downs from my sister)
Slippers: Walmart

{Thursday} Our family’s “Christmas Day”

Sweatshirt: Camp Barakel
Jeans: Kohls
Slippers: Walmart

{Friday} Christmas Eve – Christmas with my mom’s family

Sweater: JC Penney
Jeans: Kohls
Boots: Walmart

{Saturday} Christmas Day – Christmas with my in-laws

(This was taken at the end of a long day.)

Sweater: hand-me-down from my sister
Tank-top: Walmart
Brooch: Marie Madeline Studio
Jeans: Kohls

{Sunday} Church with my family and out to eat after

Dress (turned into a shirt): gift from my sister
Sweater: I honestly don’t remember – I bought it five years ago on NYE to stay warm at a party we were headed to.
Pants: JC Penney

{Monday} Ran to the bank (drive-thru) and worked from home

Pullover: Peak 3
Jeans: Kohls

{Tuesday} Didn’t leave the house – the kids and I all had a pajama day

Top: GAP (my husband found it in the lost and found when he was cleaning in the local college dorms four years ago)
Pants: Old Navy (borrowed from my husband’s closet)

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>>> How’d you do this week?

>>> Did you manage to get dressed, set the tone for productivity in your home, and look presentable?

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Want to stay better connected?

I’m linked up to Works for Me Wednesday, What I Wore Wednesday, and iFellowship today.

Welcome Summer!

Blog Bash 2011 - Ashley Pichea

What I Wore & Wrote Wednesday {02.15.12}

10 Tips for Setting Reasonable {GOALS}

Goals are more effective than resolutions, as they are specific and measurable. As the new year approaches, consider setting goals rather than resolutions.

Here is a list of ten tips for setting reasonable goals.

Express your goal positively: I will accomplish “x” by “this date.”
Be precise – set SMART goals.
Set priorities – tackle goals in order of importance.
Write your goals down.
Find someone to keep you accountable.
Keep your operational goals small – break bigger goals into smaller steps.
Set performance goals, not outcome goals - there are things beyond your control. Set goals that you can control: I will run in a 5K on March 10th versus I will come in first place at a 5K on March 10th.
Set realistic goals - making one goal reality will give you the success you need to work on the next goal on your list.
Keep the big picture in mind.
Be flexible – be willing to alter your intended goals if necessary.

>>> Do you have any tips for setting reasonable goals? <<<

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This post is being linked to Top Ten Tuesday hosted by Oh Amanda.

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Don’t miss the 3 in 30 Challenge starting January 1st!

Thinking about setting goals? You might enjoy these posts about setting goals:

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Want to stay better connected?

Top 10 Tuesday: YOUR Favorite Bible Verses

Top 10 Tuesday: LoveWithIntent

Top 10 {or 12} Tuesday: 2011 in Review

{GOALS} Getting Started

Just a few days away from 3 in 30…

…and I haven’t finalized my goals for January.

I only need to come up with three {3} SMART goals, and yet, I’m stuck.

Anybody with me?

This week, I want to take a look at how to develop goals and see those goals become reality.

“Setting goals is more than deciding what you want to do. It involves figuring out what you need to do to get where you want to go. And how long it will take you to get there.” (Source)

The first task in developing goals is to determine what you want to do. Think of the “big picture” in this step.

Is there an area in your life that you’d like to see improvement in?
Do you have a skill you’d like to learn?
Is there a character quality you’d like to possess?
Are you looking to grow in an area of knowledge?

If you’re like me, this list might be overwhelming - too many goals, no clue how to see any of them to fruition, too ambitious, etc. If this is the case, you need to categorize your goals and prioritize the order in which you would like to see them realized.

Others of you may be underwhelmed, staring at a blank sheet of paper. If this is you, I’d encourage you to find a friend to bounce around ideas. Maybe you can walk around your house with a pad of paper and pause in each room to reflect on the activities that take place there. If you are still looking for inspiration, take a few minutes to read through some of the other 3 in 30 participants lists and “borrow” their ideas!

Next, you need to break that goal into smaller pieces. Break the goal into stair steps – create a SMART goal for each of the steps. These SMART goals will build upon one another to help you reach the big picture goal.