Photograph Credit: Flickr (Angie Torres)

Month 11 is upon us. I cannot believe how far I’ve come with these goals that I never really thought I would accomplish this year. With some goals easier than others, I am enjoying this process.

Seeing the finish line for 2012, I am cracking down to finish well. In moving forward, the following is my recap of October and my goals for November:

Physical

Drink 4 glasses of water per day.  Though drinking 3 consistently, I have not mastered that 4^th glass yet.

Eat breakfast each morning. Done!

Exercise for 20 minutes at least 3 times a week. With soccer season complete, I am missing my walks during practice. This goal is really hard for me. When I get down a routine, it changes, and then I’m back to finding a new schedule. This goal is keeping me on my toes. 😉

Family

Plan at least one family outing/activity each week. Accomplished!

Spend 10 minutes with each child each day. Done!

Allow children to help with a household task each week. They continue to help, especially when a game, tool, or reward is included.

Financial

Follow Crystal’s year-long plan to reach my goals. From last month, I got my coupons organized. Yeah! This month’s goal is to never pay retail. Why would I ever pay retail, when there are so many ways to save? 🙂 My favorite saving strategy this time of year is through on-line shopping in addition to coupons and other deals.

Purchase dressers for my daughters’ room. This goal is ongoing. We are planning to redecorate the girls’ room in spring, so this goal is on hold.

Purchase upgraded computers for hubby and me. This goal is also ongoing. We might have a solution. I’ll keep you posted.

Business

Write posts one week in advance. I’m just writing. I am still behind on posts, but I’m catching up. October posts are finished, now working on November. However, I have posts scheduled through the end of the year. I just need to keep writing. 🙂

Make one improvement to the blog this month. No progress this month.

Read two chapters of blog book each month. No progress this month.

With a large fundraiser on the horizon, I had to put some of these items on the back burner. In using time wisely, I made some baby steps forward which is progress. As you keep pressing on, finish well. Happy goal reaching!

Question: How are your goals coming along?

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Angie Torres)

Your eyes are not deceiving you; two months (September and October) are dedicated to using coupons.

With the craziness of my schedule these past few weeks, my coupon binders are a mess. I have inserts organized, but not cut and filed.

Though listed on my To Do list, my coupon binders are low in order of priority.

This process is tough, and I’m thankful for the goals to keep my eyes pointed in the right direction. In pressing forward, the following is my recap of September and my goals for October:

Physical

Drink 4 glasses of water per day.  Yeah! Back up to 3 glasses of water per day. Now I’m aiming for 4 glasses.  

Eat breakfast each morning. With the morning routine down to a science, I have added a granola bar to my schedule. Though not bacon and eggs, this breakfast option works for me right now.

Exercise for 20 minutes at least 3 times a week. This goal is my nemesis. I’m terrible at it and have a new perspective. Our school is considering a 5K run in the spring. I would love to get back into running. With some motivation and a deadline, I am aiming to finish a 5K this spring. In the meantime, I walk and jog the track during my son’s soccer practice each week. Something is better than nothing. 😉

Family

Plan at least one family outing/activity each week. Accomplished! This is my favorite goal this year. Among visits to the apple farm, celebrating Columbus Day, and family dinners, our family has been on the move having fun together. Keeping this goal a high priority!

Spend 10 minutes with each child each day. Accomplished! My schedule has these times built in: with my toddler all morning, then with my kindergartner while the toddler gets her nap, and later with my son.

Allow children to help with a household task each week. Done! Our home is staying cleaner with my children helping with the cleaning.

Financial

Follow Crystal’s year-long plan to reach my goals. Couponing is going well. Though my binders are a mess, I still sort through to find the coupons I need. 🙂 My menu planning has been hit or miss during this busy season. However, our well-stocked pantry and freezer keep my family fed.

Purchase dressers for my daughters’ room. This goal is ongoing. No progress this month, and I have not begun looking for replacements.

Purchase upgraded computers for hubby and me. This goal is also ongoing. Put aside savings this month towards this goal and researching options.

Business

Write posts one week in advance. I’m just writing. I am behind on posts, but I’m catching up. 😉

Make one improvement to the blog this month. No progress this month.

Read two chapters of blog book each month. This goal fell by the wayside. I have been asked to edit/proofread an author’s new book, so I look forward to getting some reading done next month.

Progress is slow or non-existent, but life happens. As I work through the challenges, I discover new strengths and weaknesses of my own.

In using time wisely, I am better for having these goals than if I were just wandering along through life. Set goals, and start accomplishing. Happy goal reaching!

Question: How are your goals coming along?