Goals for 2013

I am a planner.  I'm an organizer.  I teach a college course that centers on goal-setting and motivation.  It's my thing!!

The goals I set for myself are usually to form a new habit, or break an old one.  I've never set yearly goals for myself or for our family.  This year we're trying something different.

Our major goal this year is to pay down our mortgage.

{Our long-term goal is to pay it off within the next 5 years.}

When we are debt-free, I am free to cut back and stay at home with our kids, which is my long term goal.  I am called to take care of my family and to make our home a welcoming and safe place for them.  I give it my best shot, for now, but I could do so much more if I didn't work outside the home.

My goals this year revolve around that calling and that goal -- to make our home a welcoming and safe place for my family.



This year we will pay extra on the mortgage every month.
I picked up some extra hours at work.  The sooner we are debt-free, the sooner we can cut back!

We will stick to our budget in all categories.
We don't spend more than we make, but we could be better stewards with our money.  Ironically, the area where we overspend the most is gifts.

I will take better care of myself.
I have a lot of trouble balancing work and home life.  I cannot be Super Mom.  I also cannot function in a messy house.  I just shut down.  It always starts off innocently-- I get headaches and I'm tired.  So, I just go to bed instead of cleaning up.  Then I go to work the next day as usual, feel even sicker, and go to bed even earlier.  Then the house gets even worse.  Then I feel even worse.  What started as the common cold quickly turns into burn-out.  It's not fair to my family.  This year, when I feel sick, I will stop what I'm doing and take care of myself.  I will not push myself so hard.  I won't try to work while I'm sick.  I will take a day off to rest and get better.  I will see the doctor if I'm sick for more than a few days.  Maybe I'll even exercise... ha.

We will use our chore charts weekly.
In busy seasons, the chore chart just hangs on the fridge, forgotten.  Landon really enjoys using our chore chart and he is very helpful.  I think the housework will be much more manageable (and fun) with my little helper.

We will continue to do devotions together before bed.
I will do my best to include Raegan when we read Landon's devotions.  This has become something that Landon really looks forward to every night.  His book was missing a few nights ago, and I thought he was going to have a breakdown.  I'm so glad that he is excited about learning and growing closer to God.  And, I'm so glad that we get to share that sweet time together every night.

 

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

Stop by tomorrow for my first GIVEAWAY!!