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August 2021 Goals and a 96 Hour Workweek
I’ve got to get at least one part-time job. And possible also Doordash. It’s “hard” to get higher paying part time jobs with a part-time floating teller schedule, I should have not assumed I’d have enough money, especially with all the consumer debt I wracked up (It’s interesting how I’m the only spender in the family, sure feels like the flood lights are on me).
I started reading Factfulness: 10 Reasons We’re Wrong About the World — and Why Things Are Better Than You Think (the authors founded gapminder.org which has tons more information and charts and visualizations) which features 1 (poverty) to 4 (highest income) standards of living for the world.
It’s hard to fathom the first two, but at level 3 (2nd to top!), people work 96 hour weeks. Yeah, if anyone had to do that in the U.S. they just wouldn’t (unless maybe immigrants from countries where more people lived at 1 and 2), they would say they were poor and live off the government or others. So if people can and do work that much AND save (Americans blow their money at most income levels), this little princess can surely get a few extra jobs however a step down or humiliating said jobs feels to her ego. This little princess has to or she’s going to be in trouble.
Also this little princess needs to stop getting into debt.
Those are my main goals.
I’d also like to:
- Keep up on my exercising
- Keep up and build up my housekeeping habits
- Build up my stretching habit
- Build up my Spanish habit
- Build a learning web development habit
- Work on watercoloring
- Working on knitting and using up yarn
- Work on finding things to use up, sell, or donate
- Clean up my cleaning/miscellaneous closet
- Get off the computer/internet so much and when I’m on it use it for learning, blogging, Instagram, art, etc.
- Read more (especially nonfiction, I’ve not done well on that lately)
- Maybe I could find some free things to do?
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March Goals 2021
Yeah, so I know it’s halfway through March. It’s kind of a holding month for me. I really feel that I can’t do anything big until I move out, so I really need to start working on habits. A lot of things are going to be the same for last month, just simplified.
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Bjorn Stuff
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Get the rest of his health, grooming, and fun stuff
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Work on the feeding system and plan
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Really work on the potty training
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Maybe start of the command training? It’s a little early, so research
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Moving Prep
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Try to sell stuff, especially large stuff, before I leave, clear out and list fridge a week or two before, computer, etc.
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Go through Mom’s recipes and get some meal plans in place
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Plan container garden
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Health
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Start doing simple exercise and stretching
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Work on getting to bed by 9:30
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Work on my Staywell
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Work on morning and evening routine, digital limits and controls
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Website and app blockers during week and Sunday, only sat can I read blogs, social media, watch youtube
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Night time needs to be puppy time, walk time, craft time, and reading and wind down
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Career
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Private goal
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Really work on Codecademy
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Self-Improvement
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Work on lateness
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Work on no gossip, politics, complaining, cussing, exaggerating set up
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Work on Spanish
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Work on habits
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Work on training and grooming and caring for Bjorn (see above)
- Start planning for 2nd quarter
- Work on blogging, using up drafts and planning to cover a lot of April since I will be swamped
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Finances
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Financial Goals Before I Move into New Apartment
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Have all funds for Bjorn’s shots, meds, supplies, and neutering, buy rest of purchases
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Increase income streams?
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Sell some more stuff, furniture, fridge, comforter, etc.
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Pay off debt
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Build up checking account balance
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Buy exercises items
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Work on Saving enough for laser, dermatologist, orthodontist
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Have all apartment fees ready in account by end of the month
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Build back all savings
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Buy printer
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Buy security system
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Have almost everything I need for my house and some money towards purchasing groceries, toiletries, paper goods, and cleaning supplies, particularly low waste items
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Beauty
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Research what is open in terms of facials
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Get back on track with skincare
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Work on body care and sunscreen reapplication
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Work on pedicure habit
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Crafts
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finish Mom’s gift
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Finish niece #2 blanket
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Finish niece #1 gifts (Frog and Toad and maybe Francis)
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Work on 3 more family baby blankets
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February 2021 Goals
Set Up for the Month
- Get into an apartment, call that one place every single weekday and Saturday!!!!!!!!! The apartment I want doesn’t have a wait or call back list (ugh!). I’ve not got a lot of great options plus would prefer to stay in one place for years until I can seriously upgrade or have a better opportunity elsewhere.
- Set up easily maintained habits.
- Get a weekend job.
- Once in the apartment look for a better paying job, preferably with fewer hours.
- Finish setting up digital limits and controls.
- Set up news controls/limits.
- Memory journal setup.
- Digital clear out.
Health
- Parsley health (change to when I’m in my own place for privacy purposes).
- Therapy.
- Sugar and dairy fast (maybe next month/in my own place do elimination diet, sugar controls. If I have to keep restarting this all the time to have any control over my sugar consumption, if that is what it takes, I will do that.
- Start doing simple exercise and stretching, get a Fitbit or something.
- Work on getting to bed by 9:30 (if in my own place even earlier, I’d like to get up at 5:30).
- Work on morning and evening routine, digital limits and controls.
Career
- Remind to be taught more AP.
- Private goal #1.
- Private Goal #2.
- Set up tech learning plan.
Self-Improvement
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Continue to work on lateness.
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Work on no gossip, politics, complaining, cussing, exaggerating set up.
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Work on Spanish.
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Work on habits.
Finances
- Increase income streams.
- Pay off debt.
- Build up checking to remain at certain amount.
- Buy CodeAcademy pro.
- Buy exercises classes and materials, one event, Kindle (if it goes on sale), and Fitbit.
- Save enough for laser, dermatologist, orthodontist.
- I need one month’s rent, pet deposit, pet purchase money, and security deposit.
- Build up savings and emergency to at least a certain amount.
- Increase all savings.
- Buy certain significant purchases.
- Pet supplies.
- Have almost everything I need for my house and some money towards purchasing groceries, toiletries, paper goods, and cleaning supplies.
Learn to Live
- Schedule one thing.
Beauty
- Research what is open in terms of facials.
- Get back on track with skincare.
- Work on body care and sunscreen reapplication.
Crafts
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Make Valentine Decorations.
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finish Mom’s gift.
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Finish Georgie’s gift.
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Finish Harper’s gifts (Frog and Toad and maybe Francis).
Study Subjects
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Build habits, work into to-do list.
Reading
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12 book library limit!!!!! Don’t order any until I’m on my last book from the first batch!!!!!!
- Work on my reading journal and my reading log. Try to make more of an effort to take notes.
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Possibly buy a Kindle. I’m definitely leaning toward getting a Kindle, but I want to buy on sale, which means I may have to wait until Prime day, we shall see.
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February Reading specifics:
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Read some study subjects books
- Finish
- The Idiot, or at least make considerable process
- Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria
- Hemingway Didn’t Say That
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Overcoming Unwanted Thoughts
- Antifragile
- Your Move
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How I Did on My January 2021 Goals
I feel like I’m in a holding period, waiting to get into an apartment, but I’m using that as an excuse, it will be harder to do things, but there is plenty I could work on. I also think I set my expectations too high.
To set up for the month
Transfer old computer programs and docs and such to new computerVision Board Pinterestand journal (actually not going to be too different from last year honestly)- Set up digital limits and controls
Fill out the beginning of the Artist of Life Workbook- Bullet Journal Setup.
- Digital clear out (after computer transfer), especially phone, email and Evernote. Partial, I cleared out my phone after backing up the photos.
Health
- Parsley health
- Therapy
- Sugar and dairy fast (maybe next month/in my own place do elimination diet, sugar controls). I did a short, maybe 6 day no candy/dessert fast, but not quite what I needed. I’ve gone backwards in my habits.
- Start doing simple exercise and stretching, get a Fitbit or something
- Work on getting to bed by 9:30
- Work on morning and evening routine, digital limits and controls (I’ll have another post about this)
Career
- Remind to be taught more AP. I did but I haven’t been taught anything more, I took the day off that I was supposed learn to for snow and a rest day.
- Private step #1.
- Private step #2.
- Set up tech learning plan
Self-Improvement
Work on lateness- Work on no gossip, politics, complaining, cussing, exaggerating set up.Well, I made a little card to keep as a reminder, but I feel like I’ve done worse with gossiping and complaining.
- Work on Spanish
- Work on habits, morning, and evening routine
Finances
- Increase income streams
- Pay off some short term debt. Partial.
- Save enough for laser, dermatologist, orthodontist
- I need one month’s rent and security deposit and also a pet deposit
- Build up savings and emergency to a certain amount
- Increase all savings, esp one for car
- Have almost everything I need for my house and some money towards purchasing groceries, toiletries, paper goods, and cleaning supplies. Partial. I could move out now and just buy a few more things and do quite well.
Learn to Live
- Schedule one thing
Beauty
- Research what is open in terms of facials
- Get back on track with skincare (probably easier to try this once in my own place)
- Work on body care and sunscreen reapplication (probably easier to try this once in my own place)
Crafts
Make snowflakes (and this should be FUN, not a MUST)- finish Mom’s gift. I made progress.
Study Subjects
- Build habits, work into to-do list
Reading
- 12 book library limit!!!!! I did well at first, but I think I need to add another step, don’t order more books until I’m done or on the last book of the ones I have.
Order some study subjects books- Finish The Idiot
- Overcoming Unwanted Thoughts
The Shadow of the Wind- Ethel Lina White mysteries
- Hemingway Didn’t Say That. I’m about 2/3 through it.
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January 2021 Goals
Better late than never, also nice to see that I feel like I’ve made some progress on these goals and this is a good reminder of things I need to work on.
To set up for the month
- Transfer old computer programs and docs and such to new computer
- Vision Board Pinterest and journal (actually not going to be too different from last year honestly)
- Set up digital limits and controls
- Fill out the beginning of the Artist of Life Workbook
- Bullet Journal Setup
- Digital clear out (after computer transfer), especially phone, email and Evernote
Health
- Parsley health
- Therapy
- Sugar and dairy fast (maybe next month/in my own place do elimination diet, sugar controls)
- Start doing simple exercise and stretching, get a Fitbit or something
- Work on getting to bed by 9:30
- Work on morning and evening routine, digital limits and controls (I’ll have another post about this)
Career
- Remind to be taught more AP
- Private step #1
- Private step #2
- Set up tech learning plan
Self-Improvement
- Work on lateness
- Work on no gossip, politics, complaining, cussing, exaggerating set up
- Work on Spanish
- Work on habits, morning, and evening routine
Finances
- Increase income streams
- Pay off some short term debt
- Save enough for laser, dermontologist, orthodontist
- I need one month’s rent and security deposit and also a pet deposit
- Build up savings and emergency to a certain amount
- Increase all savings, esp one for car
- Have almost everything I need for my house and some money towards purchasing groceries, toiletries, paper goods, and cleaning supplies
Learn to Live
- Schedule one thing
Beauty
- Research what is open in terms of facials
- Get back on track with skincare (probably easier to try this once in my own place)
- Work on body care and sunscreen reapplication (probably easier to try this once in my own place)
Crafts
- Make snowflakes (and this should be FUN, not a MUST)
- finish Mom’s gift
Study Subjects
- Build habits, work into to-do list
Reading
- 12 book library limit!!!!!
- Order some study subjects books
- Finish The Idiot
- Overcoming Unwanted Thoughts
- The Shadow of the Wind
- Ethel Lina White mysteries
- Hemingway Didn’t Say That
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Reframing Safe at Home or Sheltering in Place and My Current Plans
I’ve already been very isolated, seeing just my family and coworkers, mostly shopping online, and this was supposed to be the year of change for that. Well, that is obviously not working out well. In addition, while I had started my plans out strong, I never actually finished the plans or implemented much and was in quite a slump. So, I decided that I’m going to act as if the sheltering in place is as unfamiliar for me as for everyone as a means of resetting myself (since I’ve been in quite a slump).
Reading
- Read the books I’ve borrowed from family and perhaps more in our family collection.
- Read those that I like of the 23 library books that I have, I’m SO glad I tend to get tons of library books. I’ve heard some libraries have curbside pickup option, and I’ve asked the city system I use, but the way things are I doubt we’ll get that, it seems risky. So:
- I’m SO glad I have tons of rereads in my own collection, and I may read more that I have “due” this year.
- Actually work through the self-development/personal help books that I’ve bought as work books.
Handicrafts and Room Revamp
- Make curtains, paint/stain/refinish some furniture, and finish setting up my room.
- Sew an apron (I recently rehauled all my stuff and came up with some fabric I realized I could use to make an really adorable apron) and headband (we’ve been watching Hometown on HGTV and love Erin’s headbands and style).
- Start really stashbusting my yarn. I’ve been take clips of all my shawl patterns and organizing these by shawl type in Evernote, so I don’t have to open up every single pdf to see what the pattern is. SO helpful.
- Work on my darling embroidery project, I’ve held onto those old magazines for years (they have to be 70’s or maybe 80’s, Ill have to check).
Miscellaneous
- Finish/edit/reframe all my 2020 plans and actually start working on habits.
- Try and keep and improve on my routine and not fall further into a slump.
- My blog domain is set to renew, and I’ve been meaning for years to put additional work into my blog, so I think now is a great time for that.
- I have like 80+ drafts, yikes! So I want to cull these, finish, and schedule those that I want to publish.
- I’ve got several new glorious 1000 piece Disney puzzles to work on as seen on my Instagram.
- Participate in the positive Instagram environment I’ve found (basically lots of my favorite bloggers who are sharing happy things).
- Job search, I currently have a job, but I’m mentally under-utilized plus it’s got very archaic skills. I was wanting to go ahead and search, for potential new opportunities and weekend jobs, but I hadn’t tried very hard when this happened. Now, I’m trying to prepare for if I need to find a job.
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April 2019 Goals
I didn’t even write out my April goals until the end of the month. Basically, I’m working to get back on track.
Since I’m reading tons (for me) I did up my reading goals
- 10+ books, aim for 6 nonfiction, work on War and Peace in Serial Reader (I need to set aside time to do this once per week, the sticking point is that I need my notebook for notes and to keep track of characters and plot), work on Classics Club (I need to revisit this list and be a bit more conscious about this goal).
- Pay off CC debt and lower CC limit (apparently that is the only way to curb my spending short of going debit-card only which seems rather archaic).
- Work on exercise and diet plans (surely I can hit on SOMETHING I am willing to keep up with).
- Get back on track with habits, goals, spending, etc.
- 2+ knitting projects and block the last two (probably should make sure blocking is included in finishing, but overall, doing well on the knitting category).
I forgot to include how my March habit chart looked.
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2nd Quarter Goals
Overall goal: Shake It Back Up! I’m slipping back into monotony and laziness and losing my drive, memory, and optimism. I marked some items with an “!” to help myself in this area. Obviously, this is edited a bit for privacy.
Wellness and Habits
- Lose 15 lbs, gain muscle, tone, and flexibility
- Return to morning, lunch, and evening routine and identify sticking points to correct
- Weekly reset (Saturday?), life admin, and monthly planning days
- Set digital limits, have better options, use site blockers
- Work on daily and weekly habits and aim for no school on weekend
- Amp up meal prep, especially breakfast
- Go outside more (work on strawberries for one thing) !
Finances and Career
- Figure out side gigs plus learn skills for more specialized gigs !
- Pay off CC and personal loan
- Live off last month’s income
- Fund emergency fund to certain point, start fun savings and car savings
- Plan career and internships
- Make min amount per month
- Purchase textbooks and set up school plan
- Spanish, graphic design, future plans, re-evaluate habits
Personal Development
- Read 25 new-to-me books including several Classics Club and 12+ nonfiction books
- Regency prep (outfit, tickets) and vacation prep
- 6 major sewing projects and finish some partially complete ones
- Work on room redesign
- Weekly adventures !
- Mother’s Day gift !
- Reading journal, more in depth posts, etc. !
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1st Quarter Goals Revisited
I think that I will just focus on what I DID accomplish.
- Made much more than I did this time last year
- Read 40 books (!!!!), 8 of these are nonfiction and 2 re-reads
- Worked a side gig
- Got a temp job (one that I don’t want to quit every single day)
- Have an A (cumulative) in my three CIT classes thus far
- Signed up for two summer classes
- Finished two knitting projects
- Started workable planning and habit systems for me
- Have generally been more optimistic
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March 2019 Goals Revisited
I need to “course correct” (an excellent concept I picked up in The Slight Edge) for this month, so a lot of items are going to be copy and paste from February.
Wellness
- Get back on track with habits. Not exactly, I did excellent on Duolingo, though.
Prep meals regularly. Partially.Start facial care routine. Yes.- Start a weekly reset habit (Sat/Sun?), get back on track with daily routines. No.
- Double down on the health habits. Ahaha . . . no.
- Set up tech guards, habits, and sabbaths. Worse than no.
- Be aware of needs to be vigilante on my habits (they slip more easily in certain circumstances) No.
- Work on room. No.
Financial
Have enough to pay 1st quarter’s obligation, a little in emergency fund. Partially.Pay off credit card bill. Yes.Finish paying loan back. Partially.Make a certain minimum amount. Yes.- Have a now spend/lowest spend month. Ouch, NO.
Get a temporary job. Yes.
Personal Development
Read 8-9 books, including: 4 nonfiction, 1-2 Classics Club reads, and catch up and keep up onWar and Peace on Serial Reader. Partially, I read 15 fiction books.2 major knitting projects and 1-2 small ones. I finished two projects, well the knitting part of them; I still need to block both and buy and add buttons to one.- 2 major sewing projects. No.
- Begin taking mini-adventures/explorations. No.
- Determine next Spanish steps. No, I’m going to keep on what I’m doing now for the time being.
- Determine next graphic design steps. No, I’m going to keep on what I’m doing now for the time being.
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March 2019 Goals
I need to “course correct” (an excellent concept I picked up in The Slight Edge) for this month, so a lot of items are going to be copy and paste from February.
Wellness
- Get back on track with habits
- Prep meals regularly
- Start facial care routine
- Start a weekly reset habit (Sat/Sun?), get back on track with daily routines
- Double down on the health habits
- Set up tech guards, habits, and sabbaths
- Be aware of needs to be vigilante on my habits (they slip more easily in certain circumstances)
- Work on room
Financial
- Have enough to pay 1st quarter’s obligation, a little in emergency fund
- Pay off credit card bill
- Finish paying loan back
- Make a certain minimum amount
- Have a now spend/lowest spend month
- Get a temporary job
Personal Development
- Read 8-9 books, including: 4 nonfiction, 1-2 Classics Club reads, and catch up and keep up on War and Peace on Serial Reader
- 2 major knitting projects and 1-2 small ones
- 2 major sewing projects
- Begin taking mini-adventures/explorations
- Determine next Spanish steps
- Determine next graphic design steps
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February 2019 Goals: What I Accomplished
Wellness
- Build up health habits,
maintain other habits. I was especially excellent on keeping up with reading, Spanish, and school. I did start pre-packing some meals (which were healthier), and I ran out of my not-so-healthy snacks towards the end of the month, although that has nothing to do with self-control. - Lose 5+ lbs. Ahahaha . . .
- Start a weekly reset habit (Sat/Sun?), maintain daily routines
- Get hair cut
Buy cosmetic and health items- Set up tech guards, habits, and sabbaths
- Buy some of my self-help books?
Financial
- Have enough to pay Jan and Feb’s obligation
Pay March’s credit card billStart paying loan back- Work on process of living off last month’s income (minimum account balance and max credit usage). Well, I think I raised my minimum a little, but financially, I was out of control this month, which is my usual, so I really need to work on this.
Get a temporary job- Pursue other side gig options
- Put at least 1/3 of earnings towards emergency fund
File taxesand put at least 1/3 of refund towards emergency fund- Open a 2nd tiny (for now) savings account
Personal Development
Read 8-9 books, including:4 nonfiction, 1-2 Classics Club reads, and catch up and keep up on War and Peace on Serial Reader. I read 10 books, 5 fiction, 5 nonfiction.- 2 major knitting projects and 1-2 small ones. No, but I did knit as I added it to my habit chart.
- 2 major sewing projects
- Buy planner punch and fun stuff for planner
- Determine next Spanish steps
- Determine next graphic design steps
- Build up health habits,