Everyday Baby Steps

It took a long time, but I did say in my last post that goal setting is hard.  And don't they always say that anything worth doing isn't easy?  Or something like that.  Anyway, I wrote my list of short-term goals.  Lord knows it's a work in progress, but I think this is a pretty good start.  I'm not feeling ready to tackle long-term goals yet, so in true baby steps fashion, I'll just consider the time between now and the end of summer.

In teaching my study skills course, I would always discuss goal setting before getting down to the nitty grtitty techniques like note-taking, effective study habits, and test prep.  This annoyed my students, who just wanted to know how to study with the least amount of work involved.  But I know from providing mental health counseling and from the text books I've read that having a plan in place is pretty much required if you want to achieve your goals successfully.  Your goals must be realistic and achievable.  They must also be specific, with objectives in place for attaining them.  For example, I'd always tell my students that a good short-term goal for the semester is not "to get good grades."  What are good grades?  What do you have to do to achieve your definition of good grades?  How much time will you have to put in each week?  How will you handle set backs?  Blah, blah, blah.  I know.  But it's true.  Having a realistic action plan will improve your chances of goal success.  Going day to day without a map is what I've been doing since leaving my job in October, and I know it doesn't work.  So here's what I intend to do to change that.

1.  I will lose 15 pounds of post-baby weight:

• by cutting back on wheat and milk, which I'm allergic to.  They give me cold symptoms and make me tired.  I lost 16 pounds in 3 months once by doing this.  I know I can do it again.  So this is realistic.


• when I exercise three to four days a week.  I can go for a walk, take the kids swimming, and do yoga or pilates in my living room.  I'm not planning any marathons here.  Baby steps.

2.  I will spend quality time with the kids:

• when we go outside for activities, like walking, swimming, visiting friends, or going to the park at least three to four days per week.  Due to weather conditions, fatigue (mine, not theirs!), household or other obligtions, I feel it's reasonable to spend some days at home.


• by keeping a routine each day, I can get work done in the morning while Brady naps and then spend time doing fun stuff in the afternoon.  See, I've got a plan - I'm no longer just going through my days willy nilly.

3.  I will obtain at least one or two paid writing assignments by the end of summer:

• as I take the first step by contacting local papers and regional publications to ask about their need for freelance contributors.


• by sending in short material, like tips and fillers, to magazines who accept such unsolicited material.


• when I send queries to magazines and websites according to their writers' guidelines.


• by maintaining my morning work schedule, as much as I possibly can with a baby and two active children, in order to write, research, and query. 

Goals 4, 5, and 6 will have to wait until tomorrow's post if I hope to avoid writing an entire novel here and boring any potential readers to tears.  But I feel better after composing my action plan and sharing it with others.  Accountability also plays a big role in goal achievement.  So don't forget to share your plans with those closest to you - or anyone who will listen.