Planning, Planning, Planning

Shhhhh.  Don't tell anyone, but I secretly LOVE to plan.  Ok, so its not such a big secret - but it is something I truly enjoy.  I often enjoy it even more than implementing whatever I plan.   LOL!  Due to this secret LOVE, I often go to great lengths planning all kinds of fun things and then share them with my friends - for after I have exerted ALL that effort - hopefully, it blesses someone else's life as well. 

Often my planning involves gathering tips/information from others all over the internet and incorporating their "genius" into something that works for my family.   So, my friends think I am the "genius" but it is all borrowed genius.  (I TRY TO TELL THEM!)

As you can imagine - I kindof ADORE this time of year.  The thrill that comes for me with Planning an entire year makes me giddy.  (I know, I am totally a geek!)  However, hopefully you can benefit from some of my geekdom. 

1.  I have been voraciously inspired by THIS AWESOME WEBSITE
 this year.  She has this amazing printable on her site entitled, "Yearly Goals (Brainstorming Questions)" which took my goal setting to a whole new level this year.  I always set a few goals and try my best to achieve them.  (although they often fall by the wayside!)  But this printable inspired me to search into multiple areas of my life and figure out small changes I can make to make myself better.  That's what this is all about, right? 

So, this year - my goals fall across multiple areas, Spiritual, Personal Development, Marriage, Motherhood, Financial, Heath/Fitness, Home Skills.  I am very proud of how it turned out - and I don't look at it and feel overwhelmed - just satisfied.  Most of them are small things that will make a big difference and are achievable.  But by writing them down - I can put the plan in action to achieve them - not set myself up for being disappointed in myself. 

I do love goals - but I think more important than the goal - I love having a PLAN.  For example, this year the hubs and I decided we needed to increase our "scheduled family time".  So, we are implementing once a week Family Game Night AND once a week Family Movie Night.  This will "force" us to spend more quality time together in a wonderful way.  So the "goal" becomes a part of our week plan. 

For example, for our family - Sunday night is now Family Night (time where we discuss the scriptures and our Savior with our kids, Monday night is Family Game Night and Friday Night is Family Movie Night (Pizza Night, too).  Right there - my plan each week is a little more specific.  LOVE IT!  Easily achievable - and if we miss a week or two - no biggie.  It is just meant to bring us closer together. 

We implemented Family Movie Night tonight. My kids loved it.  I downloaded a bunch of "Good Family Movies on Netflix" from the internet and came up with a list that we will draw from for the next 10-15 weeks. 

2.  Some of my other goals were:
         To read 6-12 books this year - - so I looked up the best books of 2014 and read thru some reviews on goodreads.com and already have 3 books on my list.  I already placed the first one on hold at the library. 

          Date my husband every week. In fact, we have already mapped out the first two months as to which night we will go and whether it will be with friends or just us.  (Crazy, I know - but it helps us make it happen!)

         Continue my SP Texting group.  Explanation:  I have 3 friends with whom in order to hold each other accountable with our scripture reading & saying our prayers, we text each other everyday and say SP if we remembered to do both and then give a short synopsis or talk about the favorite thing we learned from our reading.  THIS has done WONDERS for my reading/prayers.  I found a link to someone who had done this through pinterest and I tell you, it is awesome!!! 

          Run a 5k by June.  Measurable and doable.  (I hope!)  I found a great one that is coming to Phoenix, AZ in March - the color run - which I think I'll do with my kids.  They will think its awesome and it isn't timed - so it is a low key way to check off this goal for me. 

Just a few - but you get the idea. 

Do you set goals for the New Year?  What is your #1 Goal for 2015?


Love, Haylee

As a side-note go HERE
 This website has this AMAZING Homemaking Binder Set for FREE to anyone who does an email subscription to her feed until January 10th.  Again, SOOOOOOOOO inspiring.  I had honestly never heard of a Homemaking Binder but I am so in love with it.   Don't miss your chance to head on over and get the set of printables for FREE.  After January 10th - you'll have to pay to get it.