Sunday, January 2, 2011

To Stop Living in...

Goal: To stop living in survival mode, get organized, think ahead and plan accordingly.

Do you think it's too big of a goal or a "no kidding" "duh" goal.

I have been living in survival mode and not just because we have a baby or even because we have six kids. I have never gotten in a good rhythm of home keeping. The dishes get done, the laundry gets washed and the other stuff gets done when I notice it needs to be done. Chances are, if I'm noticing it should have been done yesterday or the day before or the day before that. You get the picture.

So I decided that the new year is as good a time as any to get a handle on things.

I used to pride myself on being organized, remembering dates and times and being "on the ball". In the past month or so I have been lacking in this area so this year I am making the calendar my BFF. I am going to write down birthdays, deadlines, appointments and then...I am going to review the calendar weekly. In the past I wrote things on the calendar but then I wouldn't look at the calendar until I was confirming my suspicions that I had missed something. Whoops.

I am making a list of daily and weekly chores I need to do and then I am going to do my best to follow it. I am not a strict schedule person by nature, but I know when I have a plan I am more likely to do things. I got my basic plan from http://www.halleethehomemaker.com/my-schedule/ and then I tweaked it to fit my life.

The next one is something I have been talking about forever and three days, making a chore chart for the kids. This is difficult for me because then I have to gasp parent and teach and enforce. It's so much easier to just do it myself (or not). But these are teachable moments, right? And it might just cut down on the hate mail I get from my future daughters-in-law. :)

The next goal I have set is to lead a healthier lifestyle. I want to make more conscious decisions about the food I'm eating, and maybe decide not to eat the chocolate or the piece of cake. I also want to make exercise a part of my life. I can find all sorts of excuses why I don't exercise, but they are all so lame. Willpower, where are you? Please come and stay with me. You visited me in October but you seem to have spent the Holiday out of town.

Last, but not least, I want to be intentional in my daily life. I want to get to the end of the day and think, "Wow, I really did something today." Not everything will be quantifiable, but it can be significant. I want to add meaning to my days in thought, word and deed.

These are my goals. Today is the boys' last day of break so I hope that I can intentionally spend time focused on them, and maybe we'll have something unhealthy to eat. I can hold off on that goal until Monday.

I pray that no matter what time of year we can all set big and small goals for ourselves. Goals show hope for the future. I pray for a hope-filled now and forever for each of us.

-Peace

3 comments:

  1. I can relate to a lot of your goals for the new year. I like the calendar idea. I'm kind of a big-picture organizer but not so great with the details and am always playing catch up with birthdays or slapping my forehead because some event or appointment was forgotten.

    I'm right with you, too, about the health-management. This has GOT to be the year I get a grip on the food/weight thing.

    You are ambitious! Six kids and you have the vision to think of these things... wow! I have two almost adult kids and work full-time and feel like a chicken flapping around most of the time!

    Isn't it fun to think of all the potential a new year holds?

    Julie

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  2. Once you enforce that chore list it eventually becomes almost automatic! Ours rotates weekly so no one gets tired of cleaning the same thing and No one gets stuck with the really yuck jobs for to long! Believe me they look forward to Tuesdays!!lol Ihav efound though that it is MUCH easier once everyone knows how to do what needs to be done. Like cleaning toillets just for example.. My girls had been helping for a while but when it was their responsibility they didnt realize they had to clean around the bottom too.. If they dont do it right the first time they have to go back and do it again. Eventually they do it right the first time Most of the time. I also have one REALLY organized kid... She gets it from her dad!Lol
    I am the least organized person I know but I am getting there. I have the problem of getting organized and then not following through.. But Slowly but surely I am getting there.
    Everythign you listed is possible just dont make really big changes and alot of them at once. More than likely you will wear everyone out and may get discouraged..
    GOOD LUCK!! You can do it!!

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  3. Were you listening to my conversation with my husband last night ;) I literally said all the same things! I am tired of not being happy with how I go through my day, the choices I make. I want to live a life where I am walking with God moment my moment, minute by minute. When I am doing that, I feel like all the other things will fall into place. To make healthy choices, both with food and exercise. Good choices with how I spend my time, being present with my family, focused on them...and not on the growing "to do" list. When I make good choices, in theory, the "to do" list should stay under control. I know that this isn't an overnight change. But I know with God's grace and help, and my willingness to release control over to him...all things are possible!!

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