January is gone! Have you given up on your goals already? I sure hope not. And I hope you didn’t think I was going to let you off the hook with accountability either. I’m determined to reach every one of my 2018 goals. This year will be very different than any other year. If you missed my post on accomplishing more, you can catch up here.
February is here and I’m just as determined to catapult myself to a new level. No excuses.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something via a link, I make a small commission that helps me run this site at no cost to you. You can read my full disclosure here.
Why even set Goals for 2018?
The power of setting goals and being determined can take us from a place of just moseying along to a laser-focused path of destiny. Just last night I read a blog post on Palm and Prep that confirmed I’m on the right track. In January 2017, she wrote down a goal to enter into the One Room Challenge (read more about that here) AND and be chosen among the top 10 featured in House Beautiful Magazine. That’s a monumental goal considering there are more than 100 guest participants who enter. But sure enough, she now graces page House Beautiful.
Planning to Win in 2018
That being said, I finally finished my yearly planning and girl, I’m shaking in my boots. I dreamed BIG and well, I have to deliver. I’m no expert in planning so I used a few systems to help me navigate my way from END to the beginning.
I started with this podcast by Christi Wright called Hitting Big Goals by Winning Small. She broke down how to take a large task and break it into mini digestible bites so you don’t become overwhelmed. I also used a content planner for my business and then just some common-sense planning for my home projects and even my relationships. I’ve scheduled dates with my husband, letter writing to my friends, family nights and downtime for self-care.
Printable Planning System I’m using to reach my 2018 Goals
I received a ton of questions on the printable planner I mentioned last month so here’s a quick rundown of the system by IntentiomalMoms.com. (I’m not an affiliate, I just really love this system)
The planner has a space for everything. Home, work, God, top threes to do’s, priorities. Etc. I can meal plan, track my habits, monitor my progress and of course schedule appointments.
It is NOT a budget planner. Sorry. You know I love a good deal, but I was willing to invest in my BIG dreams.
Here’s a breakdown of the cost.
- The Organized Life Planner (Printable Dated Version): $20
- Printing: I printed only 6 months of the binder at Office Depot (don’t forget to go through Ebates) for about $20. I upgraded my paper to 28lb for a higher quality experience. In June I will need to spend an additional $20). You can print at home to save a few dollars, but I didn’t want to kill my printer. Six months was as much as I wanted to carry around at once. This thing is THICK.
- Binder: $8 I bought a fancy one with a pen holder and magnetic strap, but a sturdy $3 one will do.
- Erasable Color Pens…depends on which one you get. I like these.
Overall I shelled out about $70. Gasp. I know, but this thing is keeping me on track! Intentional Moms also sells pre-printed versions of the planner. I preferred having the option to insert pages when I needed so I opted for 3-ring binder. To save money in the long run you could buy the un-dated version and never have to buy it again. I like having dates pre-printed.
I’m training myself to live by it. It’s the first thing I pick up after my devotion time and the last thing I look at in the evening before bed.
I am SERIOUS about this! I hope you are too. These are some things I’m doing to keep me on track.
Tips to help reach your 2018 Goals
-
Be intentional
My planner is seriously helping me focus on the main things. Seeing my goals on paper helps me analyze what’s really important. Some plans that would be nice to do must take a back seat to the stuff I HAVE to do in order to reach my goals. If you want to reach the end, set priorities and be intentional about how you plan your day. One of my biggest goals for the year is to create memories every single month. To make that happen I’ve scheduled our family time filled with activities instead of leaving it to the last minute to watch Netflix and order a pizza.
-
Stop wasting time
Since implementing my new planning system, let’s just say I’m more focused. I cannot believe the amount of time I wasted between picking my son up from school and dinner time. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t putting my feet up and just chilling, but my time wasn’t FOCUSED. Now I track specific things I must get done in that four-hour window. And just browsing in the stores is no longer one of them.
Before you say you don’t have time, take a hard look at your calendar and find any spots where you could be productive. That may mean cutting off the TV, phone, and tablet. Time wasted is time never recovered.
-
Get rid of negativity
Unfortunately, there are a lot of naysayers for your dreams. I’ve decided to turn them completely off to my world. Unfollow, unfriend, tune out. Whatever you need to do, let go of cankerous relationships that eat away at your confidence and downplay your dreams.
One of my friends once told me… You should never have to dim your light to let someone else shine. Shine on my friend and your glow should make someone else light up.
You should never have to dim your light to let someone else shine. Shine on my friend and your glow should make someone else light up.Negativity comes from without AND within. So, you have to give your own self-doubt a kick in the pants. Stop taking crap from yourself too. Remember the little engine that could. Yep. You gotta think you can. and I’ll give you one better… know you can.
Your goals are just that, Your Goals. You’ve got to be the one pushing and pressing towards them. If you want it…GO GET IT. Don’t give up now. Just Keep Pushing.
I have some free wallpaper for you again…
Computer // Tablet// Phone
To download click on the link you want and save the image to photos on your device. Save the file as your home and/or lock screen. Enjoy!
Please share it with your friends!
Rhonesha says
This post is right on time. I set BIG goals this year and I’m a bit nervous but this is just the encouragement I need to help me press on.
Kenyatta Harris says
We’re certainly in the same boat!
Tara Adams says
I like the way you put that, FOCUSED time. I’ve accomplished so much in a month already, being intentional with my time. 5-10 minutes off social media goes a long way. If I feel like I’m wasting time I ask myself what could I be doing right now that’s actually important then do it. So far, the results of active planning & sticking to the plan feel pretty good! I can’t wait to see the update on your kitchen.
P.S. I have a dream you will design my home one day. My finances will be in order by then so you can name your price. Serious dream lol
Kenyatta Harris says
You are so right. It’s so easy to spend way too much time on social media instead of doing something productive. And ummm…we’ll see about that whole design your house thing! LOL
Jenny says
Wow, first I love this post. It speaks to me as well. INTENTIONAL is such an important word. We can’t just wish it, we need to be it, do it. Thank-you for sharing your thoughts, and thank-you for taking the time to read my post on Goal Setting!! Happy 2018 goals coming true!!! xo