Cyndi's start to the new year!

Wow time to sit down and actually put to words what my goals are for the new year. I have talked so much about being less of a procrastinator. That in and of itself has to be the start of any goal for me. Getting off my tom tom and getting things done. To that extent I have set up a few goals to fit under the heading of Less Procrastination! The first goal to fit under the heading is making my bed every morning, thus eliminating the powerful force to get back into it and read. If my bed is made I hate to mess up something so prettily put together as a made bed! The second goal under this heading is to make sure my chores are done for the day which would mean I have to actually make up a chore chart. Of course there are sub categories that fit under the chore chart. For instance there is a day when I get to take time out (according to the chore chart) and write. Writing is something that I don't take the time for but love doing. I should be using the talents my Heavenly Father gave me and I can if one I am not procrastinating and two giving myself the time to do. Another sub category (according to the chore chart) is to work on my church calling. I'm sure all of you can agree this is important. Other things on the chore chart are simple household chores that are broken up by days. The third goal under the heading is more exercise. I play basketball with Mary every Monday morning and I have made it a goal to start riding my bike either to the gym or the church depending on the week. I plan on riding my bike every other day after that or as many as I can fit into the week. My last goal under the heading is about personal prayer. This is something I don't do well and that's ok. My "actual" goal for personal prayer is to find a good time that is a never fail! Is there such a time? We'll see. As I get used to the goals that I have set up, more will follow.

I am pleased to report that these goals, except for the personal prayer bcause that was just added, have been set into action already and I have been working on them for the last few weeks. The first week of goals went rather well. Emma and Brent worked on their chores without too much complaint and I quickly found that by scheduling my chores to happen on certain days, I found myself with much more time and much less stress. The house was clean all week long as well and I wasn't picking it up every day either. By the time we got to Saturday of the first week I realized that I didn't have a ton to do to catch up on because it had been done throughout the week and I could focus my attention on more pertinent things such as mowing a much negleted yard. The second week I sort of slacked off of my daily chores because of different meetings and events and much to my dismay I found the opposite results. I was stressed and moody and there was much more contention around the house. We will see this week how it goes but for now I am off to a good start. Even though today was a holiday I still accomplished my goals and had time to play. Hopefully my posts won't be this long every time. It feels pretty good getting my goals written down and out in the open. Thanks Mary for this opportunity to have a sounding board as well as a support group! I love you girl!