"Slow, continuous improvements."
I want to share more about goals I have set for myself this year, for accountability purposes. (Writing things down always helps, but writing them in a public sphere makes me want to achieve them that much more.)
This year, (and I know I'm late on the draw- but I've been preoccupied with getting ready for baby) I have a few personal goals I would like to meet- though they are bound to change as I learn life with a newborn... I may realize I set too low of standards, or that I was way too ambitious. My main goal is to find workable routines. By slowly changing (kaizen) to adapt to routines that will work with a baby, I hope to be able to maintain my house with much less effort than before. All ready this has been a big help, though I wouldn't say it's routine yet. I have been working on being more proactive on cleaning the kitchen daily, cooking off a planned menu, and keeping the dishwasher empty of clean dishes (this streamlines the cleaning portion as then Jerry even will put dirty dishes directly in). Though I have been cleaning most days instead of a big twice a week overhaul (as had become routine), it's not at a consistent time yet, and I know that even if I set a consistent time that may change... with baby. (you'll hear this alot... I am sooo ready to know how things will change- see this over-planner part of my personality??) I'm also working on getting set into a routine of picking up the house every evening. I used to do this in the morning, but realized I feel much better if' it's done at night. Jerry is able to pick up after himself when he sees me start this, instead of my having to pick up after both of us in the mornings. And it frees up my morning for other tasks: which is very nice.
In my hobby section my goals are very similar to last year. Last year my goal was to read a book a week- which I'm proud to say i accomplished. This year i had decided only 4 per month (therefore only 48 instead 53 last year), but this has all ready felt too ambitious, and I don't even have the newborn yet! So I need to find a different number that will work better- so far I have only read one book... which is a very slow year for me (since this is what? the 6th week all ready?). So I will keep everyone updated on what number if any- but I prefer to have a number; it forces me to constantly be learning from books (I do about half fiction and half non-fiction). Also, I will admit I have been reading several magazines lately, which may be why the books are lacking.
This year I would like to knit at least three days a week, as well as blog three days a week. This changed from last years goals based on the "failure" of those goals. "Constantly having a knitting project" was too vague of a goal- I honestly did have a project, if not more than one at a time (I have three right now), but I would go months without touching the needles... My thought is that setting aside time multiple times weekly for knitting will be more advantageous than saying to constantly have a project. Last year's blogging goal was to blog daily. Main lesson last year- I rarely work on a "daily" goal on the weekends when our schedules change so frequently. And I prefer that time with Jerry honestly. Even after conceding to just on weekdays, it was hard to upkeep with my work schedule. I figure three times a week at least right now, is doable. Once again we will change and improve goals once baby has arrived and shown us better what schedule we will be keeping.
The other goals I have are still in such small stages in planning that I prefer not to even share them, as I haven't even attempted to try to upkeep those, as I am working on these improvements first. I enjoy adding in goals as the year progresses instead of trying to make so many rash changes at the beginning of a new year. That is just asking to fail. Baby steps. Kaizen. They really do go hand in hand....
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