choosing to try try again

Sometimes you just need a do-over.

Last week I did pretty well at completing my weekly goals, but with a cold clouding my mind and slowing my pace, I definitely see room for improvement. While I could push forward, I wouldn't be doing myself any favors. The truth is I need more time to incorporate last weeks goals into my lifestyle, especially improving my mood at work, and this week is sure to make that happen. There will be extra things to do and therefore extra stress to be handled. So, this week I am declaring two goals a do-over.

This week I will continue to practice waking up on time and stress reduction techniques, but to that I would like to add some physical activity. I think exercise will be the perfect complement...giving me more energy to get up and go and naturally reduce stress overall.

Here are this week's goals: 
1. Wake up by 7:15am
2. Smile more and use breathing techniques to reduce stress at work
3. Walk 10,000+ steps per day

How did you do with your goals from last week? Are there any that need more time to complete? Any that you want to improve? Maybe you need a do-over or two yourself and I hope you will take them!

If you are new to the weekly goals post, you can read more about them here. If you would like to join in on the fun, I hope you will consider pledging a goal or two in the comments section or by adding a thumbnail link to a blog post of your own.

Cheers to another week!

p.s. The smoothies got better tasting with this trick and even though I made this reminder several years ago, this is the first time ever I've gone to bed every night with no dishes in the sink. Granted 2 of those days were pretty much freebies because the drain sprung a leak, but you know...

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hey, monday...

Just breathe. This week will be all about going with the flow. Focus on putting space between your emotions and the "issues"...staying calm when your instinct says "Fight!" or "Aw, hell no!" And above all, continue practicing how to surrender.

I'm anticipating this week won't be an easy one. Short of staff at the office, much of the daily burdens will fall upon my shoulders. Each day I will give myself gentle reminders to stay on top of tasks, take moments for the sake of "calm", but also make room for the unexpected. There is plenty of time to get it all done and stress/anger/fear/crying under my desk have no place in the mix.

So tie your hair up and get to it. Friday will be here in no time!

looking forward to a new week

My once clean coffee table and latest book stack. This is the lifestyle it dreams to live. 

Last week I started at square one with a new weekly goal setting project. Read more about that here.

For the first week, the goals were simple and straightforward, but sadly I must report that I did not earn a 100% on this week's assignment. (It used to kill me to not earn a "perfect" score, but ever since perfection and I broke up I'm in a much better place.) Unfortunately, on Wednesday I came down with a cold and my efforts were severely hijacked.

To recap, last week's goals were to 1) wake up by 7:30am every day, 2) make smoothies for breakfast and 3) purge unwanted belongings and rearrange furniture.

While I did wake up before 7:30am every day, I admit I crawled back into bedland one day out of five for some much needed TLC. (p.s. I'm giving myself weekends off...or let's say they're "optional.") The smoothie making gave way on Thursday and Friday in favor of an enormous intake of juice, but hey...that counts, right? And at this moment there are various "cleaning" piles taking over my apartment instead of a new furniture layout, but I did unearth at least a box of "useless to me" junk for my thrift store donation. I'm not nearly close to done with #3, but at least significant progress was made.  All in all, I'm giving myself a B+.

In the past, when taking on big new goals and audacious lifestyle changes, a week like this would have thrown me off track and I would have given up right then and there. I would vow to start again another day when my pinkie didn't hurt, the light bulb wasn't burnt out, or my acne cleared up. (This is a gross exaggeration of my regular "excuses", but sadly they have just about as much clout.) I'm happy to report that this week is different, and I still feel the momentum. Onward!

Here are this week's goals:
1. Wake up by 7:15am.
2. Strive for ZERO dishes in the sink every night.
3. Smile more and use breathing techniques to reduce stress at work.
Bonus: Try new recipes for better tasting smoothies.

If you are joining me for this weekly project keep in mind that these goals should build upon last week's. Either by improving on last weeks goal (add another baby step) or by altering it if it wasn't working for you. Or you could choose to add totally new ones (like my zero dish and smiling goals) if you feel you are now the Smoothie Master, or the *Insert Your Goal Here* Master. For me, I will continue to work on cleaning out my apartment and making smoothies for breakfast, but felt comfortable with adding a few more to the mix.

How is your list coming? Can't wait to see what you pledge for this week!

*** Link up your weekly goals by pledging them in the comments, or by linking to a blog post. Add your thumbnail link below. Some people disagree, but sharing your goal publicly can often increase your chances of follow through. And remember, I'm rooting for you! ***


Check out these goals from others around the web...

hey, monday...

Stop feeling anxious about the little things that are outside of your control.  Use that energy for positive dreaming and for enjoying the every day. Consider why these butterflies exist, but then release them. Inspect the knots, but then untie them. Don't dwell. Just acknowledge and move on.

Lately, I've been wanting to change. Change things about me. No...maybe change is the wrong word for it? Improve. Yes...to improve things about me. This week I will focus on relaxing, releasing, and (again) on surrendering control. I will practice going with the flow. Instead of ignoring unwanted behaviors I will face them head on. Stare them down and squash them for good. They are simply not wanted around these parts anymore.