Every year I enjoy going through Lara Casey‘s goal setting series to help prepare for the year to come! Instead of just coming up with a bunch of random goals just for the sake of setting goals, she takes you through an in-depth process of looking back on what worked in the previous year and what didn’t, writing out what “fires you up,” and ultimately coming up with goals and writing out your “why” for each one.

I like to share my goals on the blog to keep me accountable and to just share where my heart is with things. A big part of her goal setting is to come up with a word you want to focus on for the year, and this year my word is intentional.  I chose this word because there are several areas of my life where I want to be more intentional in this year (my time with the Lord, the way I spend my money, the way I love Mike, the way I interact with the kids, etc). A “bonus” word for me this year is contentment. I will be talking all about contentment and the three month Contentment Challenge I am taking (I started yesterday) – stay tuned to hear all about that on the blog tomorrow!

Okay, let’s take a look at my goals for 2017:

Contentment Challenge

What is it: No unnecessary spending for three months – just groceries and absolute necessities (sooo, no trips to Target and no Amazon shopping – I already deleted the app from my phone!)

My Why: To seek contentment in the Lord above all else. Be sure to read the blog tomorrow to hear my heart behind this and what all I’m cutting out from my spending!

Eat healthy and stay active

My Why: To have the energy to keep up with and love on my kids well, and to foster good habits that will lead to a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life! After all, I gotta take care of myself so I can continue to keep up with Em and her daily dance parties – the highlight of my day!

How I’m going to do it:

• Evening family walks – we did this just about every night last year from April-October
• Running – Guys, I used to love running…and then I had babies. Well, I am committed to getting back to running this year. I’m not setting any crazy goals – honestly just hoping to get on the treadmill or run in our neighborhood once a week! (Bonus: listen to business podcasts while I run!)
• Follow the 21 Day Fix food plan to give me a jumpstart on healthier eating habits

More time in prayer and in the Word

My Why: I want my focus to be on the Lord in all that I do, and that will come with spending more time with Him. I want my mind to be filled with His Word so I can live it out and instill it on my kiddos.

How I’m going to do it:

• Wake up before the kids for quiet time
• Keep a prayer journal
• Go through the “Jesus” devotional by Beth Moore

Less time on my phone

My Why: My family is more important to me, and I don’t want to miss out on spending time with them because I am on my phone.

How I’m going to do it:

• One social media-free weekend each month
• Delete Facebook from my phone (and commit to not cheating by using Safari). I’m only allowing myself to use Facebook on my desktop or laptop.

Read 1 book every other month

My Why: I want to always be learning more on how to be a better mom, wife, business owner and Christ-follower

How I’m going to do it:

• Read at night before bed and while I’m nursing instead of being on social media

What books I want to read: (P.S. I already bought them so I wouldn’t have to during my Contentment Challenge)

• Grace Not Perfection
• Boundaries With Kids
• Present Over Perfect
• Uninvited
• Hands Free Mama
• Raising Godly Tomatoes

Date night with Mike every month

My Why: Dating is so important for our marriage and now more than ever (with having two kids and so many distractions) we are realizing the need for time alone out of the house to reconnect.

How I am going to do it:

• Pick the day a month in advance so we have plenty of time to find a sitter and make plans
• Try 5 new restaurants

And last but not least…let’s take a look at my goals for this month:

• Successfully complete a month of the contentment challenge
• Transfer all my information and get acquainted with my new client management software
• Finalize plans with a sitter to watch the kids so I can have some dedicated work time each week
• Finish Grace Not Perfection
• Go on a date with Mike
• Have quiet time 3x/week
• Update website galleries
• Order new client experience booklets
• Run on the treadmill one night a week

Here’s to a great 2017 choosing to be more intentional in every area of my life and choosing contentment every day.