Each year I set goals for myself that are in line with my four priorities: faith, family, work, and personal growth. At the beginning of each month I sit down and take a look at the progress I have made (or not made!) on those goals so that I can create a plan for the upcoming month.
These past few months were huge for me! After months of hard work, I finally launched my newest e-book entitled Seasons of the Faith: Helping Your Family Celebrate the Feasts and Fasts of the Church! I have been blown away by the response so far. Thank you all for your encouragement!
If you would like to find out more about the book, just click HERE.
My Goals for 2016
Spiritual Goals
1. Read through the Old Testament
I have been doing some reading, but I will have to make a serious investment of time to finish before the end of the year!
2. Read one spiritual book each month
I read three new Orthodox children’s books: Goodnight Jesus, Shepherding Sam, and Let There Be Light in order to review them on the blog. I love my job. 🙂
3. Take a one day retreat of silence and prayer
Honestly, this is the goal I am most looking forward to this year. I haven’t planned it yet because this is my husband’s busiest time of the year. After he finishes his dissertation, I am excited to take a spiritual retreat!
Family Goals
4. Go on one family outing each month
We went on a hike at a local park and then went to a pumpkin patch to choose our pumpkins. We also spent one Sunday afternoon at a local apple orchard. I am totally loving this cooler weather!
5. Have one date night a month (in or out of house)
My husband and I had our first out of the house date night in months! We went to a lovely restaurant and used a gift card given to us. Friends of ours watched our children, so it was a very frugal–but still fun!–date night.
6. Read to my children 5 nights a week
My youngest son (age 2) became really excited about his evening bedtime reading this month. It is so fun to see him run for his new favorites and cuddle down into my lap. My oldest son and I just finished listening to the audiobook for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Now that he’s getting a bit older, it is really exciting to share books that I have loved with him!
7. Watch 15 movies on the AFI Top 100 Movies List
We have watched 4 movies from the list of AFI Top 100 movies. That means we need to watch about one movie a week during the next few months in order to reach this goal. Hmm….goals can be hard work sometimes… 🙂
Personal Goals
8. Run a 5K, an 8K, and a 10K race
I am registered for a 5K, which I will complete this weekend. I don’t think the others will get finished this year.
9. Complete my Healthy Lifestyle Habits Challenge and blog about it each month
This year I have created a list of healthy habits that I want to incorporate into my daily life. I decided to focus on one per month and share my experiences with you on the blog. You can read my October’s Challenge on rest here.
10. Complete the 2016 Reading Challenge and blog about it
Have you joined our 2016 Reading Challenge yet? It is a great way to help you discover new books and to make time for reading. October was all about the scary books. Take a look at my recommendations!
11. Take a Craftsy cooking course
I’ve decided to take another online cooking class through Craftsy. Craftsy has hundreds of classes available–from photography to cake decorating, quilting to gardening. If you’re wanting to gain a new skill or improve an old one, I’d highly recommend taking a class through Craftsy. I have started and am really enjoying it so far! I am almost finished with my course.
Professional Goals
12. Write and launch an ebook
Done!
In order to complete this goal, I purchased Abby Lawson’s course “Book Boss,” which walks you through the step-by-step process of writing and launching an e-book. It is an amazing resource that I highly recommend!
13. Join another social media form to grow The Orthodox Mama
Right now I have a Facebook page and a Pinterest account for The Orthodox Mama. I recently reserved the name “theorthodoxmama” on Instagram. I haven’t started posting anything yet (that will come soon), but even making that baby step helps me feel like the goal is doable.
14. Add 4 products to my Teachers Pay Teachers store
I have not added any yet this year.
15. Write another children’s book
This year I submitted my first children’s book manuscript to a publisher. I found out that it was not accepted for publication. However, I will revise it and continue submitting to other publishers. I have a new idea for a children’s book and will submit it to the publisher before the end of the year. Exciting!
Do you have any goals for 2016? How are you doing?
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