Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

Last week was week of firsts for me.  I did items a little more out of my typical comfort zone, the good news is that not only did I survive but I rather enjoyed some of it.  This week I want to focus more of my attention on catching up and reconnecting with Jake since we have been half a world apart for three weeks (I hope to share more about that adventure soon).

Here is the update on last weeks goals:

Family Goals

1. Connect with each family member at least once a day
2. Distribute the girls “I Love You” Surprises
3. Write and mail cards
4. Put together items for Jake
5. Print off the Family Calendar, Event List and Information
6. Meet the girls for lunch at school
7. Finish reading The Secret Garden and Swiss Family Robinson to the girls – I finished The Secret Garden and started Swiss Family Robinson, my Mom finished reading it with the girls (thanks Mom!)

Personal Goals

1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – with all the travel and craziness I didn’t get this one done
2. Finish reading When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley
3. Keep an up-to-date written & photo log all the adventures this week – not quite daily but did most days!

Home Management Goals

1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
3. House cleaned and ready for company – well company arrived & it was presentable, ha!
4. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week

Business Goals

1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – a couple items fell through the cracks
3. Finish 2011 Business Taxes

Ministry Goals

1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
3. Take time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this week – could do a lot better at this one…..
4. Be a blessing to a total stranger this week

Financial Goals

1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – week was off with traveling, didn’t keep up to date records this week
2. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – working on it
3. Complete our personal 2011 taxes – waiting on business taxes to be finished by accountant
4. Put money aside for upcoming trips – getting closer
5. Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – have some of it done

Here are my goals for the upcoming week:

Family Goals

1. Connect with each family member at least once a day
2. Write and mail cards
3. Spend quality time with Jake
4. Date Night with Jake
5. Visit extended Family

Personal Goals

1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
2. Finish reading 
3. Keep an up-to-date written & photo log all the adventures this week

Business Goals

1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention

Ministry Goals

1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
2. Take time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this week
3. Be a blessing to a total stranger this week

Financial Goals

1. Stay on track with budgeted amount for the week

I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us.  I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true.  When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals.  Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick).  Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.

Why Share My Goals?

• To keep me accountable
• To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
• To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
• Create healthy habits in my life
• To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn

How did you do this week on your goals?  Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.

The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results