2020 Goals Review

 

I am a bit early for this review, but now that I am looking forward to 2021 in earnest, this seems like the best time to reflect on the goals I set in January. 

Personal Goals 

• Exercise twice a week 

I have to say that considering all that has happened this year, I didn’t do too badly with this goal. No, I am not doing aerobics or Pilates, but I am walking every day, which is more than I was doing last year. If I can get the bonus room cleaned up, I can create an exercise room. We are talking about buying an elliptical machine. We have a treadmill and my barre for workouts. The punching bag will need to be replaced, since once of the kids' friends damaged it.

•  Read the Bible daily 

This is a goal that really needed more of my attention. I read a verse almost every day and attend Bible study on Sunday nights, but that’s really not enough. I am thinking the only way to accomplish this goal is to get up early every morning and dive right in. 

• Dedicate one day a week to meal planning 

I started off strong with this goal, but the dedication waned as we all found ourselves at home more. At this point, I don’t have a full meal plan in place, but I do know what protein I’ll be using, so that helps. 

• Make smarter food choices 

This was the largest challenge for me this year. I am such an emotional eater and a junk food junkie, so that doesn’t help. Trapped inside with the family for months probably didn’t make it easier. I’m fairly certain once the girls move out my eating habits will improve—don’t buy it, I can’t eat it—but what do I do in the meantime? 

• Re-assess my commitments 

I did fairly well this year. I resigned from one organization, though I still support them monetarily. The slower pace because of the pandemic and logging into my meetings instead of driving to them certainly helped as well. Since I will be president-elect of the local real estate board next year, assuming the presidency in 2022, I know I will need to stay on top of this goal going forward.

Professional Goals 

• Put together a solid business plan 

This was the first year since 2014 that I didn’t put together a business plan. I had a huge decision to make early in the year. That decision shouldn’t have interfered with creating a business plan, but it did. Well, I allowed it to. 

By the time I knew where my head was at, COVID arrived. Two weeks later, the events that unfolded at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke and would lead to my father-in-law’s death, became my focus. It has literally taken me until this month to fully get invested in real estate again. Though there remains no closure in regards to those tragic events, I can stop my mind from agonizing over them all the time. Now, if the ringing in my ears would stop, I could really focus.

•  Commit to weekly prospecting 

Considering the year this has been, I feel I did really well with this. Though there were a few weeks I didn’t prospect at all, I prospected more this year than usual. I have also been better about staying in touch with former clients and reaching out to new leads. Living in a pandemic world makes you stop and think more about how you can help people. That’s why my volunteering ramped up this year, too. 

• Read two business or leadership books this year 

I met this goal by reading one book on self-publishing and one on creating systems. The latter is where I feel I always fail. Either I don’t create the systems or I create them and abandon them when I get busy. I bought daily planner sheets to help with that in 2021. Those will be easier than the journal I tried to keep. 

• Take my Broker's Test 

This moved to 2021 because the testing centers have been closed. They have reopened, but they have been backed up. 

• Make an important decision by January 10 

I made the decision and am confident I made the right choice.

What were some of your goals this year? What have you been most satisfied with accomplishing? What is one of your 2021 goals?

Task it Tuesday - July 21

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task it Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Welcome back to Tuesday. I have to admit to feeling unproductive this week. I have tasks, but don't feel like tackling them. When I feel this way, I take a walk to clear my head or force myself to plod through. I took a short walk this morning and also watered the garden. This afternoon, I hope to go back into the garden for a bit to keep the weeds from growing too quickly.

Let's look at last week's list to see what I accomplished.

• Meal planning - DONE
• Daily Bible reading - DONE
• Update planner  - DONE
• Walk three days this week - DONE
• Book review due Wednesday - DONE
• Empty pantry Tuesday night or Wednesday morning - DONE
• Added - Clean upstairs bathroom - DONE
• Added - Clean bonus room - Started

So, last week was probably the most productive week I've had in a while. I'm thrilled.

Here is what is on my list this week.

• Daily Bible reading - on track
• Weed garden
• Update planner 
• Three doctor's appointments 
• WriteAngles meeting
• Walk three days 
• Start Strong from the Heart by Jon Land for August review
• Continue cleaning bonus room
• Finish chapter 2 of The Sisterhood

Looks like my week is full. What does your week look like? Anything specific you need to accomplish?

2020 Personal and Professional Goals

It's the first weekend of January. The weather is cold, but sunny. We might see some white stuff this week--not a ton of it. Honestly, all I want to do right now is sit in my house and write, read, and blog. The real world and my wallet say other plans need to be part of the agenda.

If you've followed me long enough, you know I set goals every year. Sometimes I achieve them and sometimes I don't. I never beat myself up, but I'm sick and tired of the pattern. In addition, I'm experiencing some health challenges I'm not comfortable with and need to focus on my well-being. So, this is my year of working intentionally toward changing habits. Baby steps and discipline are key. As such, I bought two magazines this year to help me.

Now, if I had picked up the first one before today, I would have seen that I was supposed to start the first week of December. Whoops! That said, I've read the introductory articles and will move forward starting with the first week of January.

Because the planner I had last year required a lot of effort, as soon as real estate got hectic it went by the wayside. I've totally given up on time blocking, which was one of my goals in 2019. Do I need more discipline in how I spend my time? Yes. Will I even manage baby steps if it feels like a tooth extraction? No. That's why this planner may work better. I'll track activities, write a to-do list (which I do anyway), chart my moods, and journal.

What caught my eye about the Prevention® magazine is the "Transform Your Sleep!" headline. I've never required a ton of sleep, but menopause and stress and, now, my ringing ears have interrupted the sleep I get. The CPAP machine required for mild sleep apnea has helped. As long as the seals are good and the fit comfortable, I often get five hours of uninterrupted sleep. The tinnitus I'm now experiencing has created obstacles, but a set of wireless headphones and some calming music help a bit.

Other articles cover bad habits, weight-loss plans, best hobbies for your mind and body, and habits to make time for. I'm in the middle of reading them now.

Here are my personal goals for 2020:

• Exercise twice a week. This simply isn't an option anymore. I'm seeing the effects of sitting in the car or at my desk for long periods. My joints are achy and I'm not as strong as I used to be. In order to accomplish this goal, there are two things that must happen: commit to going to bed by 11 pm and waking up at 6 am. I also need to not schedule early appointments on the two days I dedicate to exercising. 
• Read the Bible daily. I've seen how much better my moods are when I spend time in the Word. If I can't spare even 5 or 10 minutes a day, then my focus is messed up. 
• Dedicate one day a week to meal planning. This one is harder since I usually work both days out of the weekend and we take my father-in-law out to dinner one weekend evening too. Mondays are no good because they are the beginning of the week, so I'm usually slammed. Maybe it is Tuesday or Friday. I signed up for Imperfect Foods to get more fruits and vegetables in the house. I'm hoping the variety is good.
•  Make smarter food choices. I'm a junk food junkie at heart. I know it. At 15 it was easier to counteract my choices than it is at 51. Even though I can't commit to the 21 Day Fix because the level of exercise is too tough on my joints, I am going to use the containers to make better food choices. I track my calories via the Lose it! app so I can at least know where I am falling down. Meal planning should help.
• Re-assess my commitments. I'm overwhelmed and overbooked. I did it to myself. I knew it. Saying no is tough. I currently sit on the board of three non-profits (as an officer for two), I'm moving up in leadership in the local REALTOR® association, and my family commitments are huge considering the four of us and my in-laws. Something has to give. 

Now, my professional goals for 2020:

• Put together a solid business plan. My annual business plan kept me focused all these years. It allowed me to be a top-producer from the start. This is the first time a year came to a close without a business plan in place. I wasn't feeling it, which is silly. My business plan is the first thing I need to iron out, so Wednesday morning that is my focus.
• Commit to weekly prospecting. This is why I tried time blocking last year. Prospecting is an important part of any sales business; otherwise, you have barren times when you're struggling to make ends meet. I have a CRM, but its one of the first things to go out the window when my schedule gets hectic. Instead of time blocking, perhaps holding one day aside to work in the office or at home prospecting is a better plan. Baby steps. 
• Read two business or leadership books this year. I planned to read four last year and ended up reading five. This year, I want more flexibility with what I am reading for career and pleasure. I want to pick up a book simply because I want to read it, not because I've been asked to review it or have some goal I need to reach. That said, two carefully selected books in this genre will be good for me.
• Re-assess my commitments. See personal goals. This is the year I learn to say no for the sake of my health and my sanity.
• Take my Broker's Test. I took the Broker's course in October. Now, I need to finalize what needs to be done and make time to take the test.
• Make an important decision by January 10. I can't say more about it, but it's a decision I've needed to make for a long time. 

Here's to making 2020 a great year. I hope you'll share your goals as well. 

Task it Tuesday - April 9

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

We have come back around to Tuesday again. It was a good week and I managed a few things on my list. Everything feels a bit off, though, because we haven't found a new church. Sunday used to be my favorite day of the week, but now nothing seems right. I keep praying for guidance. I'm sure it will come when the time is right.

So, what did I accomplish last week?

• Stayed ahead of schedule with reading the Bible
• Had a great coaching call on Thursday that left me with some new ideas
• Finished Chapter 21 of Amelia's Mission and presented it to my writing group yesterday

The tasks I didn't get to will go back on the list for this week. Here is what the list looks like:

• Daily Bible reading 
• Stick to my 5-5-5-5 plan for reaching out to more people: 5 calls, 5 texts, 5 emails and 5 handwritten notes every day 
• Time block my calendar 
• Send out Spring cleaning letter
• Find two agents for Clever Tom
• Write query letter for Clever Tom
• Set up ballet barre in bonus room
• Set out bag of donations for Wednesday
• Schedule appointments

That's it for me. What are some tasks you're looking to accomplish this week?

Task it Tuesday - April 2

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

I was determined not to miss Task It Tuesday two weeks in a row. Even though it is late in coming, it is done.

The last couple of weeks have gone to hell in a handbasket. Leaving the church has left me unsettled. It was the right thing to do--especially in light of what I'm hearing is going on there now--but I feel like I have no home. I'm just so sad to see the church I have loved for over two decades go in the direction it is. We have gone to another church closer to us, but it's not the same and not even close to what I loved about our old church. This weekend we will miss service because the Lil' Diva and I are spending Sunday touring colleges. Maybe that will give me a new perspective.

Work has been ridiculous--listings coming, which is good--so that's why I haven't been blogging as much. I made a bit of time for writing last week, so I am happy about that.

Here is what my list looks like:

• Daily Bible reading - Ahead of schedule
• Stick to my 5-5-5-5 plan for reaching out to more people: 5 calls, 5 texts, 5 emails and 5 handwritten notes every day - Haven't tracked this in the last two weeks
• Time block my calendar - Haven't done this in the last two weeks
• Coaching call on Thursday
• Finish Chapter 21 of Amelia's Mission
• Find two agents for Clever Tom 
• Write query letter for Clever Tom

What's on your list this week?

Task It Tuesday - Mar 19

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Welcome back to Tuesday. Things are looking a bit brighter than they were yesterday. I'm sure with each passing day that tough decision I made this weekend will get easier. Knowing it was coming distracted me all week, so I didn't accomplish as much as I should. Here's what was on my list for last week:

• Daily Bible reading  - DONE
• Stick to my 5-5-5-5 plan for reaching out to more people: 5 calls, 5 texts, 5 emails and 5 handwritten notes every day - Did a lot of this, but didn't put it in my tracker
• Exercise Saturday - Didn't happen, but need to find a way to make it happen
• Draft query letter for Clever Tom  - Ended up focusing on other writing. 
• Participate in the Flourish Writers Conference  - Not as much as I wanted, but I have the all access pass to watch the videos afterwards (need to add making time for this on my list)
• Clean my office -  Shaping up nicely. All the boxes of books have been hauled out. I've created a pile of books to give to the library for their annual book sale coming up. Working on my closet.

Now to think about what should be on the list for this week.

• Daily Bible reading  On track
• Stick to my 5-5-5-5 plan for reaching out to more people: 5 calls, 5 texts, 5 emails and 5 handwritten notes every day. 
• Time block my calendar 
• Exercise Saturday
• Read The Walker on the Cape
• Clean office closet
• Schedule haircut and color DONE

Task it Tuesday - Jan 8

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

So much to do at the beginning of the year. Most of it is fun stuff. Here is how last week's to-do list ended up:

• Set my goals for 2019: writing, real estate, and personal. Deadline 1/2. First things, first. DONE
• Finalize my 2019 Business Plan. Deadline 1/11. DONE
• Finalize my President's Award application and submit it to my office for review. Deadline 1/10. DONE
• Complete three marketing proposals. Deadline 1/6. One done and two to go.
• Write all my known meetings and vacation days into my work calendar. DONE
• Put together my 2019 vision board. DONE 
• Pack for NYC. We are taking a short trip into the city. Deadline 1/3. DONE. Trip was fun.
• Start reading books for January virtual book tours. The first one is coming to NYC with me for the drive down and back. Started Tandem Demise by Duffy Brown.
• Start my Read Through the Bible in a Year with a Chronological Bible Reading Plan. Seven days done. 

So what does this week's list look like? 

• Daily Bible reading.
• Exercise - though day or days are up in the air because most mornings I have something going on. Right now slated for Wednesday.
• Finish two marketing proposals. Deadline of 1/9.
• Finish time blocking this week's calendar. I have to complete Wednesday and the weekend days. 
• Stick to my 5-5-5-5 plan for reaching out to more people: 5 calls, 5 texts, 5 emails and 5 handwritten notes every day. (I failed on Monday, but I sold a house this weekend so I won't beat myself up too much.)
• Update my CRM. I need to create some regular distribution lists. I have one of 100 people. I would like to expand that for marketing campaigns.
• Finish cleaning the office. Probably won't happen, but most of it is done. The closet is the only thing left.

What is on your to-do list this week? What are you striving to accomplish? 

2019 Personal and Professional Goals

Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. Here's a bit of help in case you don't know what I mean by that. It's time to set those 2019 personal and professional goals. Looking for my writing goals? You can find those here.

PERSONAL GOALS

GOAL 1: Read the Bible this year

A group of my friends and I are reading the Bible together in chronological order. Hope you'll consider joining us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReadBibleChronologicalOrder/ Right now, I am reading before bed, which is working out great. 

GOAL 2: Exercise on Tuesday and Friday mornings

I've come to the conclusion that I need to start small. Two days a week is better than no days a week. If I manage to meet this goal, then I can increase to three days a week. This might require me getting up earlier than I like, so bedtime might need to be adjusted.

GOAL 3: Learn to say "no"

This will be the hardest goal this year. I stink at it. Anytime someone asks for a volunteer, my hand goes up. I swear it might take me attending meetings with hands tied behind my back and my mouth taped shut. 

REAL ESTATE GOALS

GOAL 1: Time block my calendar

I also stink at this. I am a paper calendar person. This means to be effective and accurate, I need to write it down in my paper calendar, and then, transfer all the data to Outlook so it transfers automatically to my phone. Think this might need to be added to my calendar as a Sunday evening chore. I pulled out my business plan and it has a great daily calendar, weekly calendar, and activity tracking sheet. 

GOAL 2: Double my volume

Without meeting Goal 1, Goal 2 will be impossible. I know it. I've known it for a long time. Here's what I need to do: time block the calendar so that I can contact the people I know regularly; set up a system where I mail important information to people at least once a quarter (prefer once a month); spend one day a month creating listing and buyer kits so they are handy when I need them. Just these few steps will make a huge difference. 

GOAL 3: Read at least one business/sales related book each quarter

I have several here that I want to get through: The Seven Deadly Sins of Sales and Outrageous Authenticity by Leigh Brown, Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller, and Reach Your Greatness featuring James Malinchak and other leading entrepreneurs and professionals. Creating Magic by Lee Cockerell is on my list to read this year too.

Have you set your goals for 2019? Anything you want to share? Get ready tomorrow for Task it Tuesday. It's helping me stay on task better. It could help you too. 

Task it Tuesday - Jan 1

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Welcome to 2019! I'm sitting here an hour and a half before the ball drops and running through my mind all I have to do this week. Here's the list as I see it now:

1. Set my goals for 2019: writing, real estate, and personal. Deadline 1/2. First things, first. 
2. Finalize my 2019 Business Plan. Deadline 1/11. 
3. Finalize my President's Award application and submit it to my office for review. Deadline 1/10.
4. Complete three marketing proposals. Deadline 1/6.
5. Write all my known meetings and vacation days into my work calendar. 
6. Put together my 2019 vision board.
7. Pack for NYC. We are taking a short trip into the city. Deadline 1/3.
8. Start reading books for January virtual book tours.
9. Start my Read Through the Bible in a Year with a Chronological Bible Reading Plan. You can join us here. 

I'm sure there are more, but this is a good start and nearly manageable. Depending upon weather in NYC, I might get a bit more done than expected. I'm not walking through Central Park in the rain. 

Here's wishing all of you a new year filled with blessings.

Task it Tuesday - Oct 2

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Welcome to October. The cooler weather has come to Western Mass--which we can't complain much about. My lovely little fall garden is growing. I sat down to do a bit of writing yesterday (always a good thing), and I'm feeling somewhat productive.

Over the weekend, I cleaned the living areas of our home. The floors even got vacuumed and washed. Don't I lead an exciting life?

Here are this week's goals:

• Clean my office. It is driving me insane.
• Pack away all the summer clothes.
• Find a way to take three days off before November 1. This will be the tough one, since I've got a lot going on at work. 

What are your goals this week?

Task it Tuesday - Sep 25

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Fall has arrived with a passion this week. It's in the 50s at night and comfortable during the day. It's been on the wet side. Thinking I might need to build an ark today. I have one goal this week--only one. CLEAN THIS HOUSE! It's getting less and less likely as the week progresses with real estate (people come out of the woodwork when you even think about taking a day off), but even if I get only the main living areas done, I'll be happy.

What are your goals for the week?

Task it Tuesday - Sep 18

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

This year is just flying by, and I swear I accomplish nothing some days. Oh, well. I'll just keep plugging along and see what this week brings. Here is what I want to accomplish:

1. Plant the fall garden - DONE
2. Clean my office - Maybe Friday
3. Listing photos at two houses - Today
4. Meet a friend for lunch - Wednesday
5. Pay bills - Yuck

What's on your to-do list?

Task It Tuesday - July 16

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Trying to stay focused these days. I've been overwhelmed, which means I procrastinate. With vacation now behind me, I really want to finish out the year strong. Might sound silly with five months still left, but that's how my brain works.

I accomplished all the tasks I had on my list two weeks ago, so I'm happy about that. This week I am looking to do the following:

• Clean out most of my in-laws house on Thursday. Dumpster is coming so hope to get a lot done. Heat might be an issue.
• Post a review of The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse. Loved it! Can't wait for the next book in the series.
• Schedule a time to get the old furniture out of the house. Not that I have bought the new furniture yet, but I don't want to deal with taking it out while getting the new pieces in. I think I need a few days of empty, clean space.
• Make my plan to clean out my own house: donate, trash, and clean. That might become my new mantra.

Is there anything you're looking to accomplish this week? Do you create to-do lists? 

Task it Tuesday - July 3

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

I haven't posted one of these in a while. Vacation week seemed like the perfect time. Here are three things I want to accomplish this week:

• Critique my partner's chapters she sent on Monday.
• Finish the next chapter of Amelia's Mission so I can send it to her for her thoughts.
• Read through the nursing assessment paperwork from the Soldier's Home. 

Anything special you want to accomplish this week? Do you have an accountability partner to help you along?

Task it Tuesday - March 13

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Well, it snowed enough that we didn't have school. That was okay because it meant I didn't have to leave the house. I've been working all day, but sure beats driving in bad weather.

Last week I had some personal things to get done that have to do with my in-laws. Finished one, the VA paperwork, however, is thirty pages long. Still working on that.

For this week, I want to accomplish the following:

1. Finish the VA paperwork.
2. Write one chapter of Amelia's Mission.
3. Clean out the kitchen cabinets. This probably won't happen, but I'll keep it on the list to nudge me about it.

How about you--what would you like to accomplish this week?

Task It Tuesday - March 6

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Last week I wanted to clean my Messy Bessy house. Some of it got done, but not all of it. Thankfully laundry is caught up after vacation and the living areas aren't in bad shape. Just need to vacuum and wash floors now.

For this week, I have only two tasks: complete the VA paperwork for my father-in-law to submit for his benefits and get myself on the bank accounts so I can start paying bills now that I am POA.

What do you want to accomplish this week?

Task It Tuesday - February 6

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

Hope you fared better than I. While I made a bit of progress with last week's tasks, they remain mostly undone. Here were my goals:

1. Finish cleaning out the cookbook cabinet I started on Sunday. Go through the rest of the recipes and toss what I don't want and organize the cookbooks and baking accessories.
2. Make more headway on the Bonus Room clean up. My goal is to have all the trash gone and toys tucked where they belong. Then we can began the challenging task of donating what we no longer want. 

I'm really beginning to think I should just go through the recipes and toss everything in there except what I regularly make. What do you think of that idea? 

Even though I am leaving the above two on my list--with no intention of getting to the second item unless a miracle happens--I want to add one more thing of importance: finish all the paperwork for my father-in-law's application for the solider's home and MA Health. Needs to get done. The bills are piling up like crazy. 

If you want to join along, leave us a comment below as to what you're working on with a link to your blog post. 

Task It Tuesday - January 30

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

By next week, I hope to add a Linkup list, but for today just leave your comments in the comment box. If you decide to join in, then add a link to your blog and I'll pay you a visit.

This week I have two tasks I would like to accomplish before next Tuesday:

1. Finish cleaning out the cookbook cabinet I started on Sunday. Go through the rest of the recipes and toss what I don't want and organize the cookbooks and baking accessories. 
2. Make more headway on the Bonus Room clean up. My goal is to have all the trash gone and toys tucked where they belong. Then we can began the challenging task of donating what we no longer want. 

How about you? What would you like to accomplish this week? 

Personal and Professional Goals 2018

My writing goals have been set. Why do I set those first? Because writing is like breathing for me: if I don't do it, I will die. Now it's time to consider personal and real estate goals for 2018. Since personal goals will always be more important than anything related to a career, I'll list them first.

PERSONAL GOALS

GOAL 1: Daily Bible verse reading and prayer

Might require getting up half an hour earlier, but this must come first every day. I have a Bible app on my phone, which should help, and I bought several devotionals last year. 

GOAL 2: Schedule days off in my calendar

I'm working on getting better about time blocking my calendar. The first thing that always goes when I get busy is a day off. Why is this a personal goal? Because it impacts family and my health more than anything else.

GOAL 3: Exercise three days a week

Another bad thing about being so busy last year is that I didn't work out the way I should. Three days a week--probably Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday--is manageable. The new workout DVD arrives tomorrow. I'm excited!

GOAL 4: Pamper myself once a quarter

I work hard. Why shouldn't I pamper myself? I have a gift certificate for a massage, which I plan to schedule soon. Maybe I'll get my nails done a few times. Maybe I'll just take a day to go off by myself and write. Who knows. I'll have to consider this more. 

REAL ESTATE GOALS

GOAL 1: Time block my calendar and add to Outlook (see above)

I'll admit I am a paper calendar kind of girl. The trouble with it this year is that I had so many appointments for work and family that I kind of lost track of things. So far I have scheduled my year's worth of several meeting dates, all the kids' days off of school and half days, our vacation, and even my blog tour duties into the calendar and in Outlook so it automatically goes to my iPhone. 

Next I want to plan one hour each day to contact people, followed by setting aside one day a month to work on marketing. 

GOAL 2: Review Class Options and Sign Up

As part of our licensing renewals, we need to have twelve continuing education classes every two years. In addition, there are classes for special designations that can be attended. I want to get as many of these scheduled within the first quarter before business gets really busy. My license expires this July, so I also need to make sure I have all the credits I need before then.

GOAL 3: List at least 5 more properties than I did in 2017

In 2017 I listed more properties than in the past. I want that trend to continue so that I can better manage my business. 

GOAL 4: Read at least one business-related book a quarter

I have several books here that will assist me in my business. Even if I have to get some of them on audio to listen to in my truck, I want to keep my mind focused on the positives and continue to grow. 

This list may change and be added to as the year progresses, but this is a good start.

Do you have any goals this year? How about any tips on how to effectively achieve your goals? Is there something on your list that has just been nagging at you? Let's support each other's goals and see what we can accomplish in 2018. 

Ways for Busy Moms to Start the Year Right

This has been an overwhelming year for a lot of people I've spoken with. It has been for me as well: too much to do, not enough time to get it all done. This is the time of year people consider changes and it's no different around here.

Last January, Business Insider published an article that stated 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by the second week of February. As a goal-driven person, I don't like those odds. Here are a few tips to help busy moms--and others--start the year off right.

Write Out a Year End Review

It's important to give yourself a starting point for the new year. That's hard to do if you haven't considered what you accomplished the year before. What worked? What improvements did you make? What do you wish you made more time for?

Tie Up Loose Ends

I spend the last week of the year tying up all the loose ends I can: write outstanding book reviews; purge my contact list; compile documentation for taxes; finish holiday clean up, etc. Why start off the new year being bogged down by last year's unfinished chores? This will give you a great sense of accomplishment.

Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals

One of the best ways to stay on track is by setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Vague goals won't get you where you want to be. Aim high, but not so high you'll get discouraged when you can't accomplish your goals.

The past few years I've created a vision board. Have you ever tried that? My vision board hangs in my office to keep me focused. I'm thinking of creating one for my writing this year because it is helpful to visualize your goals.

If you have other ideas on how to start the year off right, please share them. Let's work to achieve our goals for 2018 together.