New Month - New Goals

 It's August!!

This is very exciting for two reasons

1. It is my birthday month!!!!

2. It is a fresh start to go after your goals!

Each month, I like to come up with an overall theme for how I want the month to go.

Last month, it was expand your vision.

This month it is. . . .

This month, I want to focus on being grateful. I have been blessed with so much, and I want to be better at recognizing and thanking those in my life. I have started a gratitude journal and every Sunday, I want to send a thank you card to someone who has been on my mind.

I also want to minimize the amount of complaining I do. I will admit, I love to complain. But I do believe in what Terri Savelle Foy said, "When you complain you remain." 

Time to move forward!

Each month, I also pick a scripture to review often.

This month my scripture is from 2nd Nephi

How perfect is this scripture!

Lastly, I pick 8 - 10 things that I want to check off by the end of the month. These are all things that will help me reach my BIG goals . . . .  in time.

I like to keep everything on index cards so I can see and review them often!

and that's it!

Have a great August everyone!!

all prints were templates from canva.com

My Simple Plan for Setting Goals

Is it just me or has setting goals become really complicated? There are videos, posts, pins demonstrating a step by step process on how to set goals. If you need that - AWESOME! I use to spend a lot of time setting my goals in their very specific way. The problem was, I didn't get to the part where I actually worked on any of them - oops! 

So, I simplified it!

1. I created a vision board

This vision board lives in my bedroom where I can see if EVERYDAY! 

The pictures on this list are my biggest hopes and dreams for life. I have no idea when they will manifest in my life, but I know, eventually, they will!

They are big enough that I can only achieve them through faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Terri Savelle Foy said, "If you can achieve your goals on your own, then they aren't big enough." 

Love that!

2. I wrote down very specific short term goal on a plain old index card.

10 goals that I keep with me and refer to often. 10 goals that get me closer to my vision board dreams.

3. I work and live as if they have already happened

I am a convert to the phrase, "you attract what you think you deserve." another phrase is, "Whether you think you can or think you can't you are right." Meaning - if you make a vision board of all these dreams but you don't think it will actually happen then you are right! It will never happen!

I believe it will happen. I believe God wants more for my life then to live it below my potential.

It is time to start BELIVING!

That's it! My simple goal setting plan. I review my goals daily and update them monthly. 

How do you set goals? Do you look at them often? Do you believe they can happen?

let me know in the comments!

Watch for the Blessings

When I was a brand new military wife, I met - more like the Lord placed in my life - the sweetest woman. She had been a military wife a lot longer than I had, and was telling me all about life in the military. I listened as she told me about all the places her husband had deployed too and how long he was gone for.

Feeling slightly overwhelmed, and unsure of what I had got myself into, I asked her, "How do you cope with your husband being gone so much!?" Being a newlywed, I simply couldn't imagine a day without seeing my husband (Oh to be young and newly married again.) I also knew that her story would quickly become my reality. 

Her response to me was, "I write down all the blessings that come because my husband is away." Things like, being able to visit with family for longer periods of time, meeting new friends, realizing that you can do hard things, relying more fully on the Lord, and strengthening your testimony that truly families are forever. I admired her faith and her positive outlook on some really trying times. 

When my husband deployed a few years later, I put her advice to the test. I looked for all the blessings that

came because he was away. I too was able to spend more time with family. I was able to work for a family friend. I became more independent and sure of my abilities to carry on with life. I gained a deeper love for my Heavenly Father and Savior. I met a new friend whose husband was also deployed. She quickly became someone I could vent to and vice versa. She understood exactly what I meant when I would say, "I am surround by family and friends but feel so alone." We never would have met if our husband's had not deployed. I could go on and on but needless to say the blessings were there IF I looked for them.  

I few weeks ago, I was having a party for one - yes I was quite happy enjoying my little pity party. Why was this not going the way I  wanted? Why couldn't we have more of this? The kids are driving me crazy! and on and on it went. It was in that moment when I was reminded of my sweet friend and her advice to me all those years ago. I started to wonder what blessings were coming my way because of this pandemic. The answer - lots! My family and I have been incredibly blessed by the Lord even though we are spending most of our time inside our home. My husband has been able to continue to work. 

I have been able to start some new hobbies. My girls are building a strong sibling relationship (I love listening to them play their games.) I have been able to enjoy life with no schedules or drop off or pick up times. I am so grateful for the opportunity to slow down and realize what things are important in my life and what things I can let go off. 

I don't want to take away from anyone's hardships. I know this pandemic has not been easy to navigate,. However, I do know we have a loving Heavenly Father who watches over us. He wants nothing more than for us to succeed in life.  Whether or not we notice, blessings are being poured down on us. Some may have an immediate effect and some we won't realize for weeks, months, even years. So my advice is simply to 

watch for them because I promise you they are there. 

    

      

 

2020 Goals and My Word of the Year

Here we go with another year!

I don't know about you but I am so excited to get this year started! I am ecstatic with my word for the year and subsequently with how I am going to achieve my goals. 

quick story time - this time last year, I was around 4 weeks pregnant and sick as a dog (where does that saying come from?) I spent most of my January laying on the couch, feeling like I was going to vomit, or actually vomiting. Morning sickness is a bunch of rubbish! In my four pregnancies I have had all day sickness from week 4 till week 40. So why share this story? I share it because for the first time in my life I had no motivation, no energy, and no ambition. My only goal was to summon enough energy to go from my bed to the couch. Some days I couldn't even accomplish that. Thankfully, time passed and I was able to feel normal again which ends this quick (not so quick) story.

That experience is why I am ready to begin this new year with new goals. All surrounding my word of the year :

JOY

I want an increase of joy in my life.
I have felt, that for a long time, there has been pockets of joy, but that joy has been overshadowed by stress, guilt, worry, frustration, and a feeling of overwhelm. Life has been good and my family and I have been extremely blessed, but it has also been hard. I'm done with the negative emotions dominating my days. I am ready to be consistently and genuinely joyful.

How am I going to achieve this you might ask?
President Russell M. Nelson said, "The joy that we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives, and everything to do with the focus of our lives."
This year I am focusing on strengthening four relationships
First, with my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Second, with my husband.
Third, with my children (still find it hard to believe I have four of them!)
Fourth, with myself.

I know that last one sounds a little strange, but for too long I have been my own bully. I have said horrible things to myself because I haven't felt like I am enough.
Not pretty enough
funny enough
social enough
or smart enough.
I don't cook enough
or don't clean enough
the list can go on and on, but it ultimately is pointless. It does nothing for me except drag me further down into those negative emotions I listed earlier.
Truth is - I am enough, so it is time to start treating myself as such.

Each month this year I am going to be focusing on how I can find more joy

January - finding joy in goal setting
February - finding joy in love and service (particularly my family)
March - finding joy in de-cluttering
April - finding joy in my Savior
May - finding joy in self care
June - finding joy in my husband
 July - finding joy in adventure
August - finding joy in the morning
September - finding joy in my children
October - finding joy in planning ahead
November - finding joy in being thankful
December - finding joy in the season

That's my plan!
Now, I just need to make sure that I execute it.

what are some of your goals for 2020?
 Do you have a word for the year?

Zone Three Printable

Here are my zone three printables!

the first one is my version of zone three.

I use zone three to tackle two bathrooms, two kids rooms, and one office (which my husband cleans because it is his.)

click here to print my zone three printable

these next three printables are the standard setup for zone three.

I have made these printables available in three different colors.

click here for the pink printable  click here for the blue printable  click here for the white printable

and finally individual printables

This has one room on one page.

If you have a different set up for your zones this can go wherever you like.

click here to print the bedroom checklist          click here to print the bathroom checklist

click here to print the laundry room checklist    click here to print the office checklist

Zone Two Printable

Here is my zone two printable!!

 the first one is my version of zone two. 

As you may notice, I have inserted the dining room into zone two. 

For my house, this way flows better, and is more practical for cleaning. 

click here to print my version of zone two printable

these next three printable are the standard setup for zone two.

I have made these printable available in three colors.

click here for the pink printable     click here for the blue printable     click here for the white printable

and finally, individual printable. 

This has one room on one page.

If you have a different zone one setup, then this can be placed in whichever zone you like.

click here for the individual kitchen printable

Zone One printable

Here is my zone one printable!!!

the first one is my version of zone one. 

As you may notice, I have switched out the dining room with the laundry room. 

For my house, this way flows better, and is more practical for cleaning. 

click here to print my version of zone one cleaning

these next three printable are the standard setup for zone one.

The dining room is back into the rotation.

I have made these printable available in three colors.

click here for the blue printable     click here for the pink printable     click here for the white printable

and finally, individual printable. 

These have one room on one page.

If you have a different zone one setup, then these can be placed in whichever zone you like.

click here for the individual dining room printable

click here for the individual entrance printable

click here for the individual front porch printable

ten tips for dealing with those days where you just can't get going

Do you ever just have one of those days where for whatever reason you just can't get going? 

The usual rhythm of the day feels out of sync.

 I think we can all relate and have experienced those kind of days. You might even be experiencing one of those days right now. In all honesty, no matter what, we will probably have more of these "lazy" days in the future, and that's OK.

 I feel the need to point out that this is just for those who feelings can come once in a while. If you are continually feeling a lack of motivation or you don't want to do anything because you are not happy with life in general, I urge you to seek help from a professional. 

Here are my top ten tips for dealing with the blues, the blahs, down in the dumps or whatever you call it.

1. DON'T SIT DOWN. - I know, I know this sounds a little bit harsh, but the second you sit down it is over. You will lose any willpower to get back and get on with the tasks of the day. Sitting down is just prolonging the things that will need to get done eventually, so don't give in no matter how tempting and cozy and comfortable your couch or bed look. Resist!!

 2. STICK TO YOUR ROUTINES - If you are reading this and thinking I don't have any daily routines then go make a list with five things you want to get done in the morning and five things you want to get done in the evening (see the picture on the left.) These routines are your foundation for a smooth day. Your morning routine sets up your day and your evening routine brings your day to an end and sets up a successful tomorrow. If nothing else gets done during the day, then at least the most important things (your routines) were accomplished.

3. SET A TIMER. - if you are really struggling to get going then grab yourself a timer. Decide how

much time you want to commit to a particular task and then work hard until the timer ends. You will be pleasantly surprised by how much you can get done when you work hard for a set amount of time.

4. MUSIC. - I am not talking about putting on some classical or spiritual music here (although I do love my more spiritual music.) I want music that is high in energy. Music that gets you moving. Music that makes you happy and excited when you hear it! I fully believe that music has a way of making the mundane tasks a bit more bearable.

5. OPEN YOUR CURTAINS. - Sounds simple enough, but I am shocked by the amount of people who do not open their curtains/blinds. Friends, lets get some sunlight in our homes. When I was a military wife, living on base, NO ONE ever opened their blinds. I need that sunlight in my house. It lets me know today is a new day, a fresh start. Plus it feels good to see the sunlight streaking through your house, especially during those winter months.

6. GET DRESSED. - Mentally, getting dressed tells your brain you are ready to go! Now, I'm not saying wear sweatpants and a baggy shirt but actually dressed in something a bit more presentable. Why not put on some makeup as well. Makeup brings life to your face and your soul. When we are looking good and feeling good we are better prepared to tackle the day.

7. GET OUTSIDE. - Change your scenery! Sometimes we just need to look at something different, so go for a walk, go to the mall, or maybe go to the local coffee shop. Look for the beauty around you, and appreciate where you live. A bit of fresh air can do wonders for a "lazy day."

8. DON'T FIGHT IT. - Sometimes, our lack of motivation could be our bodies way of telling us something is off. For me, I usually need to rest. A lack of water or nutrition could also be adding to our blues. Take a minute to evaluate if your body is trying to tell you something.

9. BE CREATIVE. - Take ten minutes to do something that makes you happy. Something that gets your creative juices flowing. You could knit, paint, cook, even clean. Being creative just might be the break you needed before tackling the rest of your day

10. REWARD YOURSELF. - I am not opposed to bribery not even with myself. At the end of a long day, I have no problem rewarding myself with my favorite treat or cup of hot chocolate. If their is a task that you really don't want to do then give yourself a reward once it is completed. In a world where we want instant gratification, rewarding your hard work can do the trick.

I hope some to these tips were helpful for you. Remember, if you need to take a day to relax and leave your tasks for another time then go on and do it; but, don't do it twice in a row. When we start missing too many days it gets harder and harder to get back into it. Our motivation will continues to fade the longer we remove ourselves from our daily tasks.
These tips can apply to any of us in any situation.

Remember : 

Jaimie