New Year's Resolution Check-In

I recently realized that I never submitted this... whoops! I wrote this for the time period of January 1st to March 24th.

Back in January, I started a different take on having a resolution. I choose one word to work towards. My word was "Success."

Success looks a lot different for different people, so I broke it down into S.M.A.R.T. goals or a set of goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic/Relevant, and Time-bound. You can read my original article here.

One of the things about making SMART goals is that you have to go back and evaluate them. Are they completed? If not, why not? Do they need extended? Do they need broken down into a smaller goal? Was there a barrier to accomplishing it that needs to be addressed? If they are completed, what is your next goal?

So my first goal of the year was: "In the next 3 months, I want to write and publish an article on Vocal at least 2 times per month in order to increase my visibility, to practice consistency, and to work towards feeling successful. Baseline is: last article was 6 months ago." I completed this goal and then some. I have written 10 articles in the last 3 months with the break down looking like this...

In January I wrote Success, The Words You Say May Last A Moment, and Training Psychiatric Service Dogs. In February I wrote The Echoes, A Precious Heart, Warm As Snow, Expectations, My Path, a Random Thoughts post, and A Leap Year Celebration. In March I haven't written anything (until now though). Why nothing in March? Well, I had a surgery and had to recover along with dealing with personal upheavals in my personal life in regards to my kiddos and trying to maintain as much stability for them as I can, but I am writing this article and have a week to come up with a second article, so I think I will be achieving this goal!

My new goal is: In the next 3 months, I want to write and publish an article on Vocal at least once per week in order to increase my visibility, to practice consistency, and to work towards feeling successful. Original baseline on 1/1/24 was: last article was 6 months ago. Current baseline on 3/24/24 is: an average of 3-4 articles per month.

My second goal of the year was: "In the next 3 months, I want to reorganize my filing system with a box for each of my kid's memories as well as a box for important papers to make it easier to put papers away immediately in order to save time, to make it less likely that I will have missing important paperwork, to make sure that I am saving treasures for my children, and to work towards "adulting" more independently. Baseline is: 5 mismatched and full of who knows what cardboard boxes, 4 piles that aren't even IN boxes, 3 mostly organized (hahahaha, might be kidding) boxes bursting at the seams, 2 drawers full, and OOONNNNEEE roll top desk stuffed! (ok, so maybe I am still in Christmas song mode... but this time I did order the correct supplies to accomplish this goal instead of marking a cardboard box as my binder holder)." I have accomplished this goal and now have 3 file boxes with a decent organization system.

I am going to make a new organization goal for myself in the next 3 months: "In the next 3 months, I want to pick 1 shelf, drawer, or box of items and either find it a neat home or get rid of it in order to make my home more comfortable, less cluttered, and easier to maintain. Baseline is: Christmas clutter, kid's clutter, project clutter, and very few empty flat spaces in my home that end up cluttering my mind as well."

My third goal was: "In the next 3 months, have a schedule in my planner that has ZERO double-booking spots per month, has time blocked off more consistently for an hour of writing and 3 hours for homeschooling (both of my kids are still in preschool), and has at least 10 minutes between each thing that I have to plan for - whether for myself or for my children - to help ensure that I am utilizing proper coping skills that don't involve thoughts of fleeing the country... (yes, my children get their dramatic flare from somewhere - and no, it couldn't POSSIBLY be ME!!! lol I am being sarcastic.) Baseline is: 3 double-booking spots last month and 0% consistency for writing, as well as taking a slightly extended vacation from homeschooling (book release, sicknesses, etc.)." I have partially completed this goal as I have maintained a fairly good balance of work/life/preschool balance as well as keeping the double-booking spots down to 1 or less times per month. Blocking the time for writing seems to be the most problematic due to exhaustion at the end of the day partnered with really disliking waking up an hour before the kids in order to get my business work done. That said, the waking up an hour earlier really helps me feel better and able to better focus on my other tasks throughout the day.

My new goal is: In the next 3 months, have a schedule in my planner that has ZERO double-booking spots per month, has time blocked off more consistently for an hour of writing in the early morning, 3 hours for homeschooling (both of my kids are still in preschool), a reasonable set bedtime to strive for to get adequate rest, and has at least 10 minutes between each thing that I have to plan for - whether for myself or for my children - to help ensure that I am utilizing proper coping skills that don't involve thoughts of fleeing the country. Original baseline on 1/1/24 was: 3 double-booking spots last month and 0% consistency for writing, as well as taking a slightly extended vacation from homeschooling (book release, sicknesses, etc.). Current baseline on 3/24/24 is: 1 double-booking spot per month in the last 3 months, 70% consistency for writing, and getting back into the groove for homeschooling despite the set backs in February and my surgery in March.

My fourth goal was: "On 4 out of 7 days, in the next 3 months, I will do at least 1 of each of the following tasks: share someone else's content, follow another account of which I like the content, comment on someone else's post, like a post, and post something original on each of my social media accounts to improve my consistency and follow-through, to increase my visibility, and to work towards feeling successful. My social media's are: Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook." I have not done very well at this goal with the problems in real life that I have been facing.

I will continue this goal: On 4 out of 7 days, in the next 3 months, I will do at least 1 of each of the following tasks: share someone else's content, follow another account of which I like the content, comment on someone else's post, like a post, and post something original on each of my social media accounts to improve my consistency and follow-through, to increase my visibility, and to work towards feeling successful. My social media's are: Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Original baseline on 1/1/24 was: 1 out of 7 days doing a business task in networking/marketing. Current baseline on 3/24/24 is: 2 out of 7 days doing a business task in networking/marketing.

My fifth goal was: "In the next 3 months, I will write in my journal 4 out of 7 days to attempt to stay (mostly) caught up to help with my consistency, to help my memories get onto paper so they are swirling into a vortex in my mind, and to help with my stress level. Baseline: 60 days of simple notes." I am very irritated with myself on this goal as I had wanted to make a lot more progress than I have made.

I will continue this goal: In the next 3 months, I will write in my journal 4 out of 7 days to attempt to stay (mostly) caught up to help with my consistency, to help my memories get onto paper so they are swirling into a vortex in my mind, and to help with my stress level. Original baseline on 1/1/24 was: 60 days of simple notes. Current baseline on 3/24/24 is: 34 days of simple notes with only writing in my journal (a completed entry) an average of 3 out of 7 days.

My sixth goal was: "In the next 3 months, I will complete the final edits of a long awaited sequel to the first book I ever published: Time In Space. This goal is meant to drive me forward towards continuing to schedule editing time without another major goal. In other words, this is my easy goal. To accomplish this goal, I will edit one chapter per week. Baseline: haven't touched it in years." Unfortunately, I still haven't touched my sequel to Time In Space due to life stuff... so I will be adapting this goal to better fit inside the next 3 months.

My new goal is: In the next 3 months, I will complete the final edits of a long awaited sequel to the first book I ever published: Time In Space. This goal is meant to drive me forward towards continuing to schedule editing time without another major goal. In other words, this is my easy goal. To accomplish this goal, I will edit at least two chapters per week. Original baseline on 1/1/24: haven't touched it in years. Baseline on 3/24/24 is: still haven't touched it...

These are the 6 goals that I have with the idea that working to be successful is only possible if you knew where you are going and a basic outline to get there with S.M.A.R.T. goals... I will be updating these again in 3 months and as of right now, despite struggling with getting used to a new routine, I am mostly pleased with my results. Maybe success won't be so bad? *smile*

Please share a SMART goal of your own with me as we can learn to grow together in the next 3 months! :-)