Setting myself up for success: year 2023 edition
Are you ready for the new year? Do you get that sense of “new” and always want to take it head on like me – but never actually get there? I think I have finally figured myself out a little bit (only took like 36 years, some anxiety, depression and joy) and will share some of my ideas/goals that I am going to try this year to set myself up for success (in my eyes)
My word of the year:
Let’s be honest…I am an enneagram 9 – so I have never given myself a word before. I am a watcher, someone that sits back on the sidelines, the cheerleader, the friend, the peacemaker. This year (turning 37 this year) I thought, why not try something different? I decided that I was going to jump all in with a word of the year. I decided on intentional.
Last year, was a strange year. As a family we had a lot of changes, we were all over the place between moving our house (literally picking it up off of its old foundation and putting it on a new basement/foundation 100 feet to the west), deciding that I was going to stay home with our children and then finding out we were expecting another little one. Make the count now up to 4 sweet ones. Then, this past Fall we learned that my husband was going to have to leave for 5 1/2 months for the military. He will hopefully, fingers and legs double and triple crossed that he makes it home, as he is to get home two weeks before 4th baby’s due date. So, needless to say, we have had a lot coming at us, a lot of change and not so much movement on the reno of our house. Oofta, to say the least.
Back to the present now…I said, “what the heck?”, let’s try this whole word of the year. I actually took quite some time deciding where my head and heart were taking me on this journey and ultimately landed on the word intentional.
Intentional – with my faith, my relationships, my marriage, my husband, my children, being a mother, my daily homemaking tasks, my friendships, my body, the food I eat, what I drink, the little tasks that fill my day, what I watch, what I listen to daily, who I put quality time into, how I look at every single moment, soaking in the mundane moments, the exciting moments, the still moments. I mean I could keep going on and on, but literally, my word seeps into every single second of my day. Why am I wanting to do this task? Why do I feel this way? Why am I scrolling on Instagram? Why am I feeding this to my family? Do I need some quiet time just for me? Again, being intentional with every moment of my time.
I can get into these ruts that are rather hard for me to get out of. I get so overwhelmed with all my plans, my ideas, and my thoughts that I end up literally not moving. Not taking on the first task. Not taking that first step. I decided that to keep myself out of this valley ALL the time, I needed to intentionally break down my word to make it work for me this year – so I truly succeed this year.
Making it so much more manageable for myself
Monthly Goals
I have my word, now what? I have these great plans for everything up in my head. I could sit and stare at my house for an entire day and make all the plans for renovation. I could see a brand new yearly planner and have all these giddy and excited plans for how I am going to keep using it every month, every week, every day. But let’s be real…I always fail myself.
This year, I am praying and actively trying to avoid this every time scenario by breaking my word down into an action plan per month. I have decided to make 3 overarching goals for each month. I do not come up with these until that month has arrived – do not want to get ahead of myself. Plus, we are ever revolving humans. Thoughts, ideas, and plans can change.
I make 3 goals per month based on my word of the year. Then I write one or two ways that I can intentionally fulfill those goals during that month. These goals are not time line specific but what I would like to do for that month.
Weekly goals
I have my monthly goals and then each Sunday evening before bed (a time that I have intentionally set aside – no phone) I make 3-5 goals that I would like to meet that week. So far, we are into the second week of January and I can say that I actually have been able to check off those goals!
I also take that time to look at our week and see what activities, games, practices, and appointments we have. See…I am trying to be intentional in ensuring I know what we are doing moving into the week. Plus, it helps keep my stress down since I am home alone while my hubby is gone! In this same planner, I also plan our meals based on what activities/practices/what time we will be home etc.
Weekly Meal PLans
This is something that I actually do all the time, but I have found an amazing planner that I can write my goals, our daily activities as well as meal planner altogether. It has been a game-changer!
When I plan our weekly meals, it helps by taking out the indecisiveness that is my brain for each evening. I also plan around what appointments, practices, and games that we may have that afternoon/evening and it helps take away from stopping somewhere to buy dinner. HELLOOOOO….we are already a family of 5, soon to be 6 and going out to dinner is soooo expensive!
Daily goal
Am I crazy, yes? I then break down each day and write down one goal that I would like to be intentional about for that day. Almost like starting a new habit of sorts. For the month of January, my one daily goal; to close the day, right before my head hits the pillow, is to write down a prayer for my marriage. Every single night. A quick, simple, intentional prayer over my marriage. I cannot wait to see what God may do with our marriage, but it is quite tough being so far away from my husband. I. cannot. wait. for. March.
Do you have a word for the year? Is this something that you do every single year, month, week, or day?
I would love to hear your word of the year. I would also love to hear how you go about setting and following through on your goals.
I hope some of my ideas will help you even if it’s just a little one! We are all in this together momma. Let us be more loving, kinder, more gentle, and stronger this year.
XOXO