March Goals

The last week in February, I attended a quick one hour class at work that talks directly about setting goals as well as identifying and eliminating self-defeating habits.  Setting SMART goals was something I really need to focus on, because my goals tend to be lofty without any real measurement to them.  I'm going to try this in March, and see how I do.

Just for your info:
S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Attainable
R - Relevant
T - Time-Bound

HEALTH
1.  Create a work out plan.  Goal date: 3/15/2014
2.  Water, water, water.  80 ounces per day.  Track!  Goal date:  EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
3.  Log the fruits/veggies challenge @ work.  Goal date:  EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

HOME
1.  Hem curtains for living room.  Goal date:  3/15/2014
2.  Hang curtain rod & curtains for living room.  Goal date:  3/16/2014

PERSONAL
1.  Update, re-create, start over, etc. on the 101 Things to do list.  Find new focus.  Erase the past, and start over fresh.  Goal date:  3/15/2014
2.  Achieve three items on 101 things list.  Goal date: 3/31/2014
3.  Mail CPA Intent Application to state board.  Goal date:  3/7/2014
4.  Register for Becker CPA review.  Audit review in April.  Goal date:  3/15/2014

February Goals (Recap)

I haven't focused much on the health aspect of life in February.  Work hit me like a ton of bricks this month, coupled with school.  I made progress on other aspects of my life, like getting the move behind us, decorating and organizing the new place, etc.  I wouldn't say February was a total loss.

HEALTH
1.  Now that the move in behind us, find a fitness routine that works for me.  
2.  Go to at least one of Teresa's yoga classes in the month of February.
3.  Research PCOS more, and the impact that food has on it.  Focus on switching to a more "clean" lifestyle.  I did order books to start research on this, but that's as far as I got.
4.  Record body measurements on February 1st and again on February 28th.  Take pictures too.

HOME
1.  Hang the bedroom curtains and hem/hang the living room & dining room curtains. We got the bedroom curtains hung.  We'll be working on the living room this weekend.
2.  Organize the pantry, bathroom, and dresser drawers.  We need to find some storage options for the pantry as our new pantry has really wide shelves, and it's not the easiest to reach the top.  
3.  Finish unpacking the boxes in the garage.  I'd say we made it about 85% through this one.

PERSONAL
1.  Update, re-create, start over, etc. on the 101 Things to do list.  Find new focus.  Erase the past, and start over fresh.  Goal date:  2/14/2014.  Yeah, didn't happen.
2.  Learn meditation, breathing tricks to overcome the anxiety and panic.  I really struggle with this one, but I'm doing better.  When I originally posted this list of February goals, I was having a really bad day.  But after talking to some friends, figuring out more of my trigger points, and how to overcome them, it was the only bad day I had in February.
3.  Successfully mark off 3 - 5 "items" on the 101 Things list.

Anxiety.

Today is just one of those days where the anxiety is overwhelming.  I've tried breathing, walking, thinking about other things, meditation, etc and nothing seems to make a difference.  I hate this.  I hate that on certain days, I'm fine, and nothing seems to phase me.  I hate that on others, it's like a ton of bricks is sitting on my chest.

Today is a brick kind of day.

February Goals

I majorly slacked on updating these in December & January.  When you are an accountant and a full time grad student, the months of December & January leave NO room for anything extra.  I was lucky to sleep.

I have a been really focused on making a change in 2014, and being more present in the now.  I have been developing a relationship with my mentor at work, and attempting to really take the tips she gives me and apply them to my daily life, both at home, and at work.   
I'd like to hope that my February goals reflect this new attitude.

HEALTH
1.  Now that the move in behind us, find a fitness routine that works for me.  
2.  Go to at least one of Teresa's yoga classes in the month of February.
3.  Research PCOS more, and the impact that food has on it.  Focus on switching to a more "clean" lifestyle.  
4.  Record body measurements on February 1st and again on February 28th.  Take pictures too.

HOME
1.  Hang the bedroom curtains and hem/hang the living room & dining room curtains.
2.  Organize the pantry, bathroom, and dresser drawers.
3.  Finish unpacking the boxes in the garage.

PERSONAL
1.  Update, re-create, start over, etc. on the 101 Things to do list.  Find new focus.  Erase the past, and start over fresh.  Goal date:  2/14/2014
2.  Learn meditation, breathing tricks to overcome the anxiety and panic.
3.  Successfully mark off 3 - 5 "items" on the 101 Things list.

MOVING!

In 36 hours, we should be completely moved into our new place.  And I cannot wait.  I try to see every challenge as a way to grow, learn, understand, but I haven't found the positives of the current apartment.

A and I moved just three short months ago, into what we had hoped would be a bigger place, less problems, relatively the same rent, even though it went up a bit.  We've had nothing but problems.  EVERY SINGLE DAY, it seems like something else has gone wrong.  I'll write up a long blog post here shortly, but I want to make sure all of our stuff is out and moved before I rehash the details.

Needless to say - we've both been very much looking forward to this move since the day we turned in our notice.

We've decided to go back down to a 1 bedroom, from a 2 bedroom.  We found that we really don't use the extra space, and we pretty much spend all of our time at home together, watching the same shows, etc. so having the extra space just meant we were paying more to heat the place.

Here's our new floor plan.  We have an attached garage, so we'll have the alternative floor plan where we enter the apartment through the laundry room.  It's going to be so nice to have a garage for our Mercedes again.  :o)  And, it's on the first floor so NO MORE STAIRS!  I think I'm the most excited for that part.  

The movers will be here tomorrow!  And I am so darn excited.  :-)  

I'll post pictures of the interior as soon as we get our keys!

One Word 2014

Have you ever heard of One Word 365?  If you've been reading and attempting to follow my little life, you'll know that I attempt to do this everyone.  Instead of making resolutions, I make goals.  But instead of making resolutions, I also choose one word that is going to set the ground work for the next 365 days.  

This is one word that sums up how I want to live my life in 2014.  It becomes the one word that I truly focus on through out the entire year.  

My word is present.  

In 2014, I want to be present.  In the moment, in my life, at work, in my relationships, in general.  Instead of struggling to grasp a hold of something I can't physically grab a hold of, or worrying about a future that isn't here yet, I'm going to be present in today.   

What is your one word?

#oneword365

2014 New Year's Resolutions

I don't know about you, but I always look at each January as a new start, a fresh beginning.  I always sit down and plan my resolutions, but I'm not always the best at keeping them.  In 2013, I had 5 resolutions, but none of them were really concrete.  I wanted to be healthy, focus on me, set monthly goals, focus on my 101 things to do in 1001 days, and just enjoy life.


For the most part, I did okay.  I didn't focus on my health, which leads me to #1 for 2014.  But, instead of having resolutions, I want to put some concrete goals within them. 

#1.  BE HEALTHY.  Switch my diet to a more paleo lifestyle.  Get rid of the extras, the processed crap that isn't good for me anyways.  Eliminate Diet Coke altogether.  Cook at home more.  Eat out less.  Visit the farmer's market, or join a co-op to bring more fresh fruits/veggies into our home.  Focus on the way my clothes fit, how my body changes, how much stronger I become, and don't worry about the calories or the number on the scale.

#2.  Spend more time studying/reading/learning the Bible.  Do a bible study a month.

#3.  Focus on others.  Volunteer with the Salvation Army.  Pay for the person behind me in line.  At least once a month.

#4.  Learn patience.  Or if nothing else, learn to turn to God when I'm feeling stressed or I'm feeling like life isn't happening on my terms.  This is something I struggle with, a LOT.  It's something that I know isn't my strong suit, and something that I know I have to focus on to prevent becoming overwhelmed.

#5.  Pass the CPA exam.  Have the confidence to know that I can do it, that I can pass the exam, and that I know the information.  Pray to God for guidance, strength, and confidence.