Goals Update: 2015 In Review & 2016 Plans

Welcoming 2015

1. Sew one garment a month: Nope.  Nothing in December.  And I really didn't do so hot for the year, either, seeing as I only completed three projects and I think I only wrote about two of them.
2. Post an article a month: Nothing in December.  I did pretty well over the course of the year, though, as I posted 24 articles and posted at least one (other than this review list) in eight of those months.
3. Run at least 2 5K races: Nope.  Had one under my belt, and never got to #2.  Couldn't even muster up enough caring to go for a quick run on that 70 degree Christmas Day.

4. Exercise 3 times a week: December was great for making my daily steps.  I ended up in the top 2 or 3 every week, and consistently met or exceeded my 10K goal each day. For the year, I think I did okay seeing as there were only about 2 months there where I wasn't really exercising.
5. Have one date with my husband a month: Our annual day after Christmas movie and shopping date happened, so that's a win.  And for the year, we're at least 10 for 12 which is pretty awesome.
6. Become better at expressing my curiosity, and be more clear in the intent of my curiosity: I think I've been doing better, but I've still got a long way to go.  I think once I get into a conversation with someone (i.e. we're both actively listening), I do smashingly, but the initial broaching of the subject continues to cause some strife (and my conversation partners to shut down).
7. Read 10 books: I am SO happy to report that I accomplished this one!  I finished my 10th book the week before Christmas.  I finished up with Tina Fey's "Bossy Pants" which was a really funny read--and great perspective for a working mother.  I recommend it.

Like pretty much all other goals posts for this year, I can firmly say that I accomplished 4 out of 7.  If we count halfsies, I could make an argument for 5, but I think that'd be cheating.


2015 was an interesting year, with a BIG move for us, some major life decisions made, and a modified perspective on what my life actually is and can be versus trying to make it into something else.  I'm glad I tried to do all of this in 2015, and even though I didn't make the goal, I still feel a sense of accomplishment for having done as well as I did.

So what's on the docket for 2016?
1. Stop yelling at my kids. (It really doesn't help anyone)
2. Get at least a B+ in all of my classes (oh ya, I'm starting my MBA this month).
3. Read as many books as possible from this list, thanks to a Facebook challenge from some friends. (I've read a few already, but there's a bunch I haven't and we're all kind of in the same boat on this one.)
4. Exercise 3 times a week/meet those 10K+ steps. 
5. Become better at starting conversations/broaching sensitive subjects with people.
6. Paint my nails once a month.  (Because every girl should have something a little girly in her life once in a while.)  

I've consciously left off goals for sewing, writing, and the 5Ks in 2016.  These were the goals I didn't do well at in 2015 and are also the most time-consuming.  Since I'll be starting an MBA program in 2016, I expect most of my time will spent on studying and any free-time with my family.  I also left off the date goal because we did SO WELL at it.  I think it's officially become a habit and something we've really come to value doing each month.



What are your goals?  How can we be awesome together in 2016?

Goals Update: November in Review

1. Sew one garment a month: I finally finished that striped shirt!  I need to take some pics, and tell you about my adventures in pattern matching.
2. Post an article a month: Dos! In addition to my last goals update, too!
3. Run at least 2 5K races: Failing miserably at this one...

Thanksgiving baby selfie!

4. Exercise 3 times a week: Not really making those 10K steps, and I've not been running at ALL this past month.  In fact, I came in dead last in my FitBit friends last week...
5. Have one date with my husband a month: Got our first suburban babysitter for a night of work engagements, and managed to squeeze in a drink on our ways home.  It's not glamorous and it was with my husband's boss, but it's what we got and I'm taking it.
6. Become better at expressing my curiosity, and be more clear in the intent of my curiosity: I didn't get any complaints in November...I'm going to count that as a win.
7. Read 10 books: Apparently I mis-counted somewhere along the line--at least according to my Good Reads account, and as of Nov. 30 at 1159pm I had read 7 books! (and finished another the very next day which is annoying since I'd like to type 8).  7 down, 3 to go (but really 8 and 2) with a month left.  I've got a book in hand now, but I need one last short book suggestion.

4 out of 7 this month, again.  Maybe I can figure out how to read while I run, and then I can accomplish it all!

Goals Update: October in Review

I'm starting to realize I should have been a bit less ambitious with my goals.  I seem to get progress made in some categories at the expense of others at this point... 

1. Sew one garment a month: I completed another Renfew (my 3rd?), and a pair of Go-To baby leggings!  I also was able to make some progress on a UFO dress from 4 years ago, and get started my stripes-matching
pajama project (which I hope to post on soon).

2. Post an article a month: Nada.  I focused on the doing of projects and never wrote about it.  I'm okay with that one, but I'd like to post about a few things to document them for me.
3. Run at least 2 5K races: Signed up for one that happened Oct. 3rd, but forewent it because of some last-minute travel plans.  I might just run a 5K around my neighborhood one day...
4. Exercise 3 times a week: Doing a pretty good job of making those 10K steps,but I've not been running at ALL this month.
5. Have one date with my husband a month: Grandparents to the rescue once again!  This time the in-laws borrowed the children to allow my husband and I to attend a volunteer leadership meeting at the Linc (work), a political fundraiser (work), and some post-work drinks at the bar by our house.  We followed that up with 45 minutes of sleeping in on Sunday.  I say that's a win.
6. Become better at expressing my curiosity, and be more clear in the intent of my curiosity: Not sure if anyone noticed, but I've been trying to keep my mouth shut in October.  Practicing the listening part pretty intensely, and not voicing an unsolicited opinion unless I genuinely fear Armageddon (or its professional counterpart).
7. Read 10 books: 3/4 of the way done with The Goldfinch.  5 down, 5 to go and 2 months to do it in.  Now that I'm taking the train, I expect to do pretty good with this one.  Short book suggestions welcome.

4 out of 7 this month, which seems to be my limit.  Maybe I can knock #'s 2 & 3 off in November...

Goals Update: September in Review

The last few months have been pretty hectic, and I feel like we're finally settling into our new life in the suburbs.  Once you move in, there's still more work to be done in getting your schedule together and truly adjusting to a whole new way of doing everything.  And it's finally starting to feel comfortable...and productive!

How am I doing on my goals?  Not too bad!

1. Sew one garment a month: Nothing in September, but I was able to get a lot of my sewing projects lined up and ready to go, including getting my sewing table set-up and ready to go. I cut out another Renfew T-shirt just after Labor Day only to discover that I couldn't find my serger pedal anywhere.  The new one came in the mail last week, so October promises to be a much more productive sewing month.

2. Post an article a month: I posted twice, but neglected an August goals update and an ode to my little Lady who turned one. Meh.
3. Run at least 2 5K races: Signed up for one that happened Oct. 3rd...I'm trying to find another one to do before the fall is over.  Any suggestions?
4. Exercise 3 times a week: Doing a pretty good job of making those 10K steps, and I ran once or twice a week in September to get ready for my October 5K.  
5. Have one date with my husband a month: Thanks to a Nana visit, we went neighborhood bar hopping one night.  I think we were home and in bed b 1030pm, but it was a date and we had fun.
6. Become better at expressing my curiosity, and be more clear in the intent of my curiosity: Following my last post, I've been speaking with some friends and colleagues about how I'm working on this.  I think that by stating my anticipated goal (or that there isn't one) for a conversation has made communication in both social and professional situations more productive and enjoyable.
7. Read 10 books: Finally finished "All the President's Men".  Picked up "The Goldfinch" not realizing it's almost 800 pages...whoops! I think I'll be sorting my GoodReads lists on page count (if that's possible) next time.  5 down, 5 to go and a little under 3 months to do it in.  

Goals Update: Intent is key

On the path to better communication, I've been in search of snippets of wisdom.  This week, one came in the form of a tweet from a man after my heart with his Twitter handle (@recoveringengineer).

Paired with a news spot I heard on NPR on the way into work the same morning, I realized I have been taking my partner, my friends & family, and most likely many of my co-workers for granted when it comes to communication.

Throw in an email chain earlier this week with one of my besties in which we're scheduling an activity to do together on completely different weekends, and I'm going to make a sub-goal #6 on better expressing my curiosity:

I'm going to be more clear in the intent of my curiosity.

Rather than just assuming that those with whom I'm communicating know my goals, I'm going to tell them.  I'm a very process-driven individual, so knowing where we're going before we get in the car is REALLY helpful for me--it'll be interesting to see how this works with others who are less-so.  So here we go:

My intent with this change in communication style is share my ideas in a more succinct and less confusing manner in order to maximize collaboration and good-will while minimizing frustration for all parties concerned.

How do you all communicate effectively? What kinds of "rules" might you have given yourself to become a better communicator?

I'll keep you posted on my progress, so please let me know if this is helping you, too!

Goals Update: I actually RAN!

For months I've been lamenting the fact that I haven't been out running.  With less than 4 weeks to my second 5K of the year, I decided I have to get serious about this.

This morning, I packed away all my excuses and got out of bed at the first alarm (640am) to put on some running tights and go running.

My expectations were pretty low--especially since I was told to take a dog with me--but I'm actually kind of proud of how I did.  With the exception of a brief stop for the previously mentioned dog to use some facilities, I ran the whole time, wasn't winded until the very end, and kept a pretty good pace as I was home in less than 15 minutes.

I was surprised at the amount of outside activity in my neighborhood in the morning, and at how much friendlier people are in the morning vs. the evening, especially since I had a pitbull at my side.  I guess not everyone could stay in bed all day like our family.

If you're looking for some running inspiration, check out my friend's blog, Vito Runs 365.  After a pretty annoying and goal-killing Achilles issue, he's finally up and running again and his enthusiasm is pretty contagious.  Oh, and I'm stealing his run summary...Thanks, Chris!

Day 1: 1.1 miles, 18:41 (Weather: Clear, 56 degrees)

Goals Update: July in Review

Man, am I bad at updating things!  I thought June was a whirl-wind month, but throw in a bed-ridden case of strep throat and July definitely had June beat.  And hence the obligatory blog self-loathing begins...

So how'd I do in July with my goals?  Pretty good actually!

1. Sew one garment a month: Nothing.  That sewing room I was supposed to get is now Little Man's room (no monsters in that one), and a lack of a usable space to cut, sew, and/or plan things gets in the way of doing things. I may or may not have continued to impulse purchase patterns...

2. Post an article a month: Only one in the beginning of the month, but all things considered I'm proud of that.
3. Run at least 2 5K races: Still signed up for one in October.  Still haven't run a single step.  
4. Exercise 3 times a week: Still making sure I get those 10K steps in every day.  Doing okay with it, but not as good as before.  Frankly, it's been too hot to move.
5. Have one date with my husband a month: Mini weekend away for a friend's wedding, and lots of take out paired with Shameless and True Detective in our living room.  It counts...seriously guys.  It counts!
6. Become better at expressing my curiosity: Still to my knowledge, I haven't pissed anyone off.  In fact, I was able to address some potentially high-emotion issues with no issues last month.  SCORE!
7. Read 10 books: Reading "All the President's Men".  It's not a quick read by any means.  I need to find some "beach books" like Jennifer Weinder or something if I want to reach this goal.  Reading non-fiction is a bit more laborious and time intensive... Still 4 down, 6 to go and 5 months to do it in.  

On a roll!: June Goals Update

Even though we moved this month, I was still able to accomplish quite a bit.   Here's how I did:

1. Sew one garment a month: Nothing.  But I now have a sewing room which I'm in the process of setting up, and I impulse purchased some new patterns...

2. Post an article a month: 3!
3. Run at least 2 5K races: After last month's update, I signed up for my fall 5K.  Thanks, Amanda!  
4. Exercise 3 times a week: I have been doing a great job at getting in my 10K steps every day, and actually was the "top stepper" according to my FitBit circle one week (I used to come in around 5 every week).  Kind of a lame accomplishment, but one I'm super proud of nonetheless.
5. Have one date with my husband a month: Lots of mini dates to celebrate the selling and buying of houses.  A beer at Union Jack's, fancy coffee in Chestnut Hill, dinner in Keswick Village with the kids...
6. Become better at expressing my curiosity: To my knowledge, I haven't pissed anyone off, so I'm counting that as progress.
7. Read 10 books: I finished two books this month!  I'm onto my next one, which will probably not get finished in July (it's on Watergate and has a LOT of facts and doings to keep straight to read it too quickly).  4 down, 6 to go and 6 months to do it in.  I think I can do this!

Keep on Keepin' On: May Goals Update!

May was a pretty productive month for me!  For brevity's sake, here's my new fangled way of letting you know how I'm doing: 

1. Sew one garment a month: Not a one.

2. Post an article a month: three in fact!3. Run at least 2 5K races: Spring 5K down, but I still need to find one in the Fall to register for4. Exercise 3 times a week: I'm trying to reach 10K steps every day on my fit bit--most days I at least come REALLY close!5. Have one date with my husband a month: My sorority's 90 Anniversary Gala.6. Become better at expressing my curiosity: still stronger on the professional side, but we're getting there...7. Read 10 books: I actually started and finished a book last month, and I'm about halfway through another. So 2.5 down, and 7 months to go!

In June, I expect to have a pretty similar looking goals progress report.  With my sewing stuff in storage, I'm not going to be able to sew anything until after July 1 (moving post to come soon!), and taking the time to find a 5K is going to be really rough when my brain power is required to help support all the odds and ends of moving.

The exercise thing has really been the toughest--how do people with jobs and children find the time to actually exercise?  I'm either too tired or too busy to have a real exercise session, so I've resorted to standing whenever I can, parking far away, and taking the stairs all the time in a half-hearted effort to be active. Any tips you all on the inter-webs may have would be greatly appreciated!

Making some (April) progress

Wow.  March and April went by in a flash.  Between work, getting our house listed and now under contract with a buyer, and trying to find a place for us to move to, life has been pretty hectic.  FUN! But hectic.

And amazingly, in April, I was able to actually put in some serious work towards my goals.

Here they are in case you forgot:
1. Sew one garment a month
2. Post an article a month
3. Run at least 2 5K races
4. Exercise 3 times a week
5. Have one date with my husband a month
6. Become better at expressing my curiosity.
7. Read 10 books

1.  No sewing happened--sewing stuff is all packed up in a storage unit.  I did download a few fun patterns though, including the Prefontaine Shorts and some Go-To baby leggings (which is a free patern, BTW).
2. Only my March goals re-cap, though I started another article at the end of March which I've been plugging away at...Maybe this month?
3. I ran the Temple University Alumni Weekend 5K...well part of it.  I had on way too many layers at the start (it was like 40 degrees and I naively didn't realize that running would make me hot--I know...) so I stopped after the first mile.  I ran a mile under 12 minutes, so I'm pretty excited about that.  Now to find one in the fall to register for!
4. I've been making a concerted effort to reach the 10K steps that my FitBit wants me to take each day, but I've been REALLY bad at making time to exercise.
5. We actually had two dates--and both were out of the house!  It was kind of awesome, and we did a really good job of not talking about just work and kids the whole time.
6. Bad job on the personal side here this month: I was able to offend at least 3 of my friends by not successfully expressing my surprise that they have grey hair--they're just so incredibly good looking and have such great hair that I never would have suspected there's a stylist behind that.  Because they're that awesome!  Nonetheless, I didn't say that...and pissed them off.  Sorry again, gals.  You're just so good looking...!
7.  I finally finished reading the same GD book I've been reading since September.  So 1 down, 9 to go.  I'm on to "The End of Your Life Book Club", and so far so good.  I may need some suggestions on quick reads if I'm going to make the most of these last seven months, though.

So...Progress on 4 1/2 out 7 overall.  I'll call that a win.

Almost a month late and always a dollar short...

Now that it's almost May, I finally have time to update you on my progress from March.  My, how time flies when you're having fun (and squashing some goals)!

Goals re-cap:

Just another snow day out fit from the Little Man

1. Sew one garment a month
2. Post an article a month
3. Run at least 2 5K races
4. Exercise 3 times a week
5. Have one date with my husband a month
6. Become better at expressing my curiosity.
7. Read 10 books

And my progress?
1.  I didn't sew anything, as I packed up all of my sewing stuff and put it into storage (more to come on that topic)
2. I actually posted 2 articles in March (cookies and a minor rant), and started writing a 3rd (which I'm hoping to finish this week so I can meet my April goal).
3. & 4. I actually ran a few times to train for the Temple Alumni Weekend race and did an okay job of meeting or exceeding the 10K steps each day that FitBit deems necessary.
5. We actually went on a date--to my husband's fraternity's anniversary gala.  It was the first time we've left the Little Lady with our babysitter and we had a great time.  And I still fit into the same dress I wore to the last fraternity formal I went to in (2004 or 5 with the help of some spanx), so it was an overall win of an evening.
6. I feel like I'm doing a great job of this at work and in professional situations, but not so much in my personal life.  Might be time to find a Ted Talk or something on the matter...
7. The book that won't die: Songs in Ordinary Time.  I've even been keeping the book that's next in the queue on my desk so that I have to look at it all the time to remind me, have kept to my self-imposed 15 minutes or more of reading this damn book every day, and still it won't end...

April is another month, which I'll be reporting on shortly.  Some highlights to come?
- TU Alumni Weekend 5K
- A great exercise in stress to force me into more poignantly expressed curiosity

February Goals Progress

As you sit on pins and needles, wanting to know how I've been doing on my goals, let's re-cap what they are exactly:

Successful Nap Time

1. Sew one garment a month
2. Post an article a month
3. Run at least 2 5K races
4. Exercise 3 times a week
5. Have one date with my husband a month
6. Become better at expressing my curiosity. (I seem to engage people in a way that they think I'm questioning them vs. inquiring things about them.)
7. Read 10 books

So, how'd I do in February?  Honestly, not so hot.
I didn't sew a GD thing
My only February posting was my last update
I haven't run at all (unless you count chasing Little Man)
My ski vacation turned into an "everyone is sick" cation
We did manage to have a family date for Valentine's Day which was really nice at the Franklin Institute, though this goal was achieved mostly by my loving husband and I cannot take credit for it.
I did reassess myself using the DISC model, which helps to zero in on my communication styles and gives some easy leads on identifying those of others (and what motivates them and/or decentivizes them).
This freaking book "In Ordinary Time" just won't finish.  I've got 250 pages to go, which means I've finally made it to the 2/3 mark after seriously 6 months of trying to read it.  And I've been reading it.

Something fun I did accomplish that's not part of the list--I finished listening to the Serial podcast.  Such a good story, and a real life "Who-Dun-It" caper.  If you haven't listened to it yet, go to NPR.org and find their pod casts section.  It's worth it.  I promise.

Goals Update

For those of you not glued to my blog (and why aren't you?), I came up with a few goals I wanted to accomplish in 2015:
1. Sew one garment a month
2. Post an article a month
3. Run at least 2 5K races
4. Exercise 3 times a week
5. Have one date with my husband a month
6. Become better at expressing my curiosity. (I seem to engage people in a way that they think I'm questioning them vs. inquiring things about them.)
7. Read 10 books

My thinking is that if I put these goals out into the world, I might be held a bit more accountable for them--basically shaming myself into getting them done.  So how did I do in January?

1. Sew one garment a month--Nope
- I didn't sew a darn thing.  I really didn't have much time last month to wash clothes, let alone create new ones.

2. Post an article a month--Yup!

I deserve at least one gold star...

- I posted two!

3. Run at least 2 5K races--Getting there
- As previously mentioned, I'm already signed up for one in April, with the second likely to happen in the fall.

4. Exercise 3 times a week--Getting there
- I've been teaching (skiing) on weekends, so I'm spending a lot of time running around on snow.  If I could fit in one gym session during the week, I think I'd be meeting this goal completely.  I'm also committed to getting as close to the 10K steps as I can (thank you FitBit for my new random obsession), so I'm walking a lot more and taking the stairs even more than usual.  I also realized this weekend that my arm muscles have definition for the first time in about 4 years, so I'm pretty excited about that.

5. Have one date with my husband a month--Yup!
- We had an in-home sushi date for our anniversary with the kids last week.  It was sweet and frankly probably as much of a date night as either of us have the energy to muster up right now.

6. Become better at expressing my curiosity--Getting there
- I've had discussions with people about this, and while I feel kind of stuck in qualifying/justifying my actions to others, I'm seeing this as a first step.  Oh the plight of the outgoing introvert...

7. Read 10 books--Getting there
- I've definitely been reading.  But thanks to Mary McGarry Morris, I'm stuck on the same book I've been reading (3+ hours a week) since August.  My upcoming business trip to SoCal should afford me some time to finish that book so I can move onto my next.

I'm actually pretty impressed with myself given how hectic life was in January.  I don't anticipate a lot of calming to happen in February, but knowing that I can get about 2/3 of the way there keeps my spirits high and is pretty motivating, actually.

Wish me luck this month!

Goals for 2015

I usually hate it when people talk about New Year's resolutions.  Don't "resolve" to do something, just do it.  Yoda said so himself--there is only do.  I like the term goals, and I'm making a blog post about mine--mostly to keep me accountable, but to also give me a format for tracking my progress.

1. Sew one garment a month
2. Post an article a month
3. Run at least 2 5K races (I've already been suckered into one in April)--and not walk in either
4. Exercise 3 times a week (run or use eliptical at home)
5. Have one date with my husband a month
6. Become better at expressing my curiosity. (I seem to engage people in a way that they think I'm questioning them vs. inquiring things about them.)
7. Read 10 books

So far, I've already accomplished #2 & #5, and have made progress toward #6 & #7.   #4 begets #3, so I'll have to start working on those, though I have made a point of keeping to that 10K steps a day thing that seems so important.  And #1 really depends on a synchronized nap time on a weekend I think. 

We'll see!  Go 2015!