I must admit, I’m stealing this post idea from my friend Ashley – I love her blog and especially reading her monthly intentions and successes from the month prior.
The last few months I’ve been writing down my goals on a piece of scrapbooking paper and posting it front and center on my desk at home. It’s a nice little reminder to myself what I want to accomplish each month. I try to stick to it without being too hard on myself when I waiver – I’m only human after all.
For June, my goals included:
*Stick to a strict budget – this was a success! I was able to pay as much as I budgeted down on my debt and still have enough to go around. Some areas I went over (like on my $50 eating out budget for the month) but other areas didn’t even come close to the budget (I spent $0 on new clothes and didn’t use my entire skydiving budget either).
*Commit to Daily Training – I was doing so well until last week, when life got the better of me, nightly plans squashed by ability to work out and I was a bit lazy in getting up early to complete my Shred workout. Oops. Back on track this week though!
*Meal plan 6x/week – this was pretty much a fail. Meal planning is too hard, especially if you’re traveling.
*Hydrate – success! Thank you cucumber water for keeping me interested in sipping frequently.
*Focus – with everything I’m juggling these days, focus is key in accomplishing it all. I’d call this month a success in the focus department.
*Find time to relax every day – success! Even if it’s a quick at-home yoga sessions or 30 minutes on the couch snuggling with the doggie before bed, I do make time every day to wind down, calm my thoughts and decompress after the events of the day.
*Spend time outside whenever possible – early in the month was much more successful than the last week or so. I started out hiking local trails and sitting outside reading while the dog played in the yard. But now my outdoor time is limited to early mornings and late evenings. It’s been f-ing hot, and this girl from the North just isn’t use to high 90s in the summer.
*Get blood flowing every morning – this goal was intended to make me get out of bed and do a Shred workout each morning. If we’re basing this goal on that, I’d have to say mild fail. But, I do make it a point to do pushups or jumping jacks, along with a morning walk with the dog before heading to work if I can’t get that DVD workout in. So, in that sense, success.
Like I said, I’m not going to be too hard on myself with all that I’ve managed to accomplish along with these goals.
As most of you know, life is incredibly busy with planning for and promoting Jump for Diabetes – which, holy crap, is 10 days away!!! On top of that I’m trying to juggle a full time job, learning the ropes in camera flying, finding time to do some freefly jumps to put my tunnel skills to use, and taking care of myself and my dog. Needless to say, I’ve got my work cut out for me.
Once JFD is over, I’m going to take a much needed break until the fall, when planning for next year will once again begin.
That said, I’ve got some great intentions for the rest of the summer, but let’s start with July and see how that goes.
Practice Yoga 5 days/week
This is something I’ve been doing most weeks anyway, ending my day with a 20-30 minute practice, but I’d like to pump it up a notch. I did recently buy a package for arial yoga classes and I’m stoked to get into the studio and try it out. Problem is I’ve just been so busy. Maybe that’s just what I need!
Try one new recipe each week
This weekend I tried a baked oatmeal recipe from Pintrest that looked so yummy, in hopes of encouraging regular breakfast eating on my part. I’m always bad about fueling up after a morning workout, until I get to work and realize my stomach is growling at me and I should have consumed something healthy at home. I’m proud to say it turned out amazing and have already made a second batch. Can’t wait to try out new recipes so I can continue to eat healthy at home.
Stock up on stock photos
I need to take more photos, at the dropzone, around town, anywhere and everywhere. Whether I use my Canon Rebel or simply snap a photo with Instagram, I need to have some photos to use both here on the blog and to have for my own enjoyment.
ORGANIZE!
Yes, all caps. That’s how important this one is to me. I need to do a serious overhaul of my office. It’s about time I hang up some pictures in my house. I still haven’t found a clock that I want to put up, and I really want to find a unique way to decorate my mantle.
Make 2 days each week TV free
I recently met someone who enforces this rule with his kids – Tuesday and Thursday are TV free days (though I’m leaning more toward Monday and Wednesdays, but we’ll see). It’s such a great idea. If there’s something you want to watch, TiVO it and watch it tomorrow. This will allow me to spend less time sitcoming out, which is my guilty pleasure, and spend it reading, playing with my dog, doing a longer yoga session, whatever comes to mind, just as long as it’s not spent on the couch in front of the TV with my computer on my lap.
Be productive
It may come as a surprise, given the amount I’m able to accomplish, but I’m not all that productive at times. Mostly because, with the amount on my to-do list, I have a tendency to let my ADD take over as I bounce from task to task, partially finishing one to focus on another. Productivity requires a bit of restraint in the ADD department, and I need to use that focus I’ve been practicing this month and put it to good use. Shut down the email, Facebook, Twitter (especially you Twitter) and spend an hour, hell, even 30 minutes on a task and see how fast it gets scratched off that list. It really does feel good to see all those checkmarks next to completed tasks.
Dedicate time to myself
There’s so much I want to accomplish – I want to improve my skills in the sky, I want to improve my flexibility, I want to expand my mind, and I want to find time to try new things. Aside from my health (which, thankfully I made a point to make a priority this spring and summer) I’ve been neglecting me. But I know that in order to be my best, I need to give myself my best effort, not just everyone else. So, don’t be surprised if you see me slip into some selfish habit for a while this summer – I promise it’ll be short lived, but I need this time for me in order to be everything I can for others.
What are some of your summer intentions?
Love and Blue Skies!
Ashley