I like thinking. I like planning and dreaming and setting goals–sometimes really big ones. I’m not a big fan of follow through. A goal setter with commitment issues is a goals with grace kind of girl in my humble opinion. Blessing ourselves with goals, and with grace, are two of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. The desire to reach for the stars with the compassion to gently pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off–we’d do it for others, right? So let’s do that for ourselves this year.
I mentioned I was sending out a newsletter with some of my goals for the year. I think I’ll start here in my comfy place, The Littlest Way and I might even make it a monthly post–but that’s not a goal just yet. Before I dig into my goals, let me say a couple of things. First, these are my goals. If they inspire you to set some goals and even some goals that look identical to mine–awesome! But please do not be confused into thinking my goals are good enough for you too. They aren’t. You are your own beautiful, wonderful, child of God and He designed you for different dreams, goals, and ideas. Except for going to heaven, we can totally share that goal!
Second, I’m already in desperate need of the grace part. I’ve already not kept a couple of these. So I grant myself grace to evaluate why? Too lofty? Too unrealistic? Too lazy? Too many things not in my control to set these specific goals? I think the first week of January is kind of like the first pancake–it doesn’t turn out the way you think it will. January 1-8 is too soon to put these goals to work when we’re still, figuratively hung over from the previous year. Christmas is still going strong, kids and parents are still on Christmas routine. Now the second week, that’s where the rubber meets the road and the goals hit the ground of daily life. Goals with grace is a big part of the first week of January.
I like pretty goals so I embellished my goal setting pages with the new Illustrated Faith “Goals with Grace” Bible Journaling Kit. I know, not a coincidence, right?! I’ve used these in my Bible journaling, but they are equally perfect for my goals pages–Yes, I take multiple pages, I’m a big thinker. So I pulled them out and prettified my yearly, monthly, weekly and daily goals. By the way, if you’ve hesitated to purchase the Bible Journaling Kits because Bible journaling isn’t your thing, these are more than journaling Bible supplies. I used the ‘Tis the Season kit to prettify my Christmas cards and now I’m using my “Goals with Grace” to prettify my plans and planner.
Based on working through Crystal Paine/Money Saving Mom’s “Make Over Your Year” course and re-reading parts of A Mother’s Rule of Life, I chose five priorities to focus on for the year: Prayer, Person, Partner, Parent, Provider.
Prayer
Pray my Morning Offering everyday
Got to weekly Adoration (already missed because most of us have colds)
Write the Word following Candace’s monthly prompts
Read the Bible for 30m every day
Continue Bible journaling but only in the New Jerusalem and with the Illustrated Faith Kits and supplies–I don’t need anything else
Continue Family Rosary at night (Chris and I are in week 1 of a 9-week Novena. Well actually 18-week, 9 for petition and 9 for thanksgiving)
Read Divine Intimacy this year
Person
Walk 3x a week on the treadmill or out in the fields with Chris
No Trim Healthy Mama cheats
64oz of water–kill me now, I’m like a camel and hardly ever drink, much less 64oz
11pm bedtime
Write in my gratitude journal every day
Read at least 2 books a month
Use my planner–have a weekly planner date with myself
Partner
Pray for him specifically every day
One date a month
Write Chris a love note or send a love text weekly
Parent
Send Bernadette a love note or love text weekly
Hug each child every day
Once a week one on one time
Read aloud to Maximilian and Leo at least 15m every day
Check schoolwork weekly
Check chores daily
Ask 4 questions
Provider
Have specific, focused hours to work at The Littlest Way
Clean the office weekly
Set up and stick to a monthly budget
Have the laundry finished daily
Clean my bedroom weekly
Meal plan and nutritious meals
Follow my business growth plan for The Littlest Way
I have my plan. I’ve prettified it using the Illustrated Faith Goals with Grace January Kit. I’ve reminded myself to grant myself grace like I would someone else when I stumble. Which I already have BIG time. Most of us have had colds all week. It would be embarrassing to go through this list right now and check off what I’ve done and what I haven’t. And that’s where the grace part comes in. The scriptures remind me, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” So I’ll gracefully pick myself up, dust myself off, medicate this cold so I can sleep, apply some Fighting Five essential oil to the soul of my feet and in the diffuser, and start fresh tomorrow morning. And if you’d like to see how others are setting their goals with grace, visit my friend Candace at Mercy is New to see her goals.
*Look for an upcoming post about the planners I’m using this year. I’ll give you the short answer right now because some of you have emailed or messaged to ask. I’m using the iBloom Life and Business Planner for The Littlest Way–a part of my Provider priority. I do put some of our personal stuff in there, especially things I need to when I’m near the computer, like pay the electric bill or write a check for soccer or piano. For my other priorities I’m using the Websters Pages Travelers Notebook. I’m trying to get in the habit of making this my brain. I’ll post soon about using this two planner system and link back here when I do.
Alyssa says
I love love love this Jenny. I wish I had the patience and made the time to sit down and do things like this. I bought myself a blank journal today to try and start something similar.
Marie says
Thank you so much for sharing this. May God bless you and your 2017 goals. I, too, dream up goals and think I can do great things, but am TERRIBLE with follow-through. I wanted to know how someone without a plan or family schedule might get started. We have two small children (3 yo and 10 mo) and I’m sensing it’s time for a schedule of some sort. I feel like it hasn’t happened yet partly due to busyness and partly due to basically a baby-led schedule (10 mo breastfeeds, eats solids, and does not take a bottle). Do you have any recommendations? I easily become discouraged, but think we need to simply and organize our lives a little! Thank you for all you do! God bless.
Jenny says
My recommendation is to be gentle with yourself and your family. We baby led and although it makes “scheduling” difficult, I wouldn’t change it. This is a very short time in your life. My other recommendation is to start very small–the little way. Say your morning and evening prayers, pray before meals, pick the one area of your house/life and start there. Tackling too many things at once is a sure way to fail.
Michele Rittle says
Thank you for sharing your 5 “p’s”. I love them. What’s really nice is that even though i am going to write goals under each heading, mine look different than yours, because you are right, we are each our own.
I look forward to keeping them clise by for continual review, and offer myself grace when it isnt perfect
Sincerely,
Michele Rittle
Jenny says
That has always been a large part of my problem, trying to make my goals look like someone elses. That just sets me up for failure.
Holly Fugate says
Jenny,
You remind me so of myself except you’ve made it further down the road to success. Thanks for sharing your goals. I too like the idea of Goals with Grace. I’m working now on creating new habits using the 21/90 rule. I realize now, at almost 40 years old, that I’ve got time to make it happen…even though I technically have less time…whatever.
If you remember, I asked you for prayers last summer because I was traveling down a dark road at the time. I’m back in the light and better than ever. Thanks for the prayers.
Holly
Jenny says
This! This makes my heart so very happy. If we can just hang on and make it through, yes, better than ever is on the other side.