September ended before I was ready for it to end! LOL. It is time to review my September monthly goals, before posting my new ones for October.
As I've explained before, my monthly balanced life goals are similar to the spokes of a wheel, with the length of each spoke representing my satisfaction in that area of my life, from 1 to 10, with 1 being most dissatisfied and 10 being most satisfied. Ideally, all the spokes are of equal length and the wheel will roll along smoothly. If the spokes are of unequal lengths, then, the resulting wheel will be lop-sided and wobbly. My ratings for each segment are shown within the parentheses, with the beginning of the month ratings in black and the end of the month ratings in blue.
As I've explained before, my monthly balanced life goals are similar to the spokes of a wheel, with the length of each spoke representing my satisfaction in that area of my life, from 1 to 10, with 1 being most dissatisfied and 10 being most satisfied. Ideally, all the spokes are of equal length and the wheel will roll along smoothly. If the spokes are of unequal lengths, then, the resulting wheel will be lop-sided and wobbly. My ratings for each segment are shown within the parentheses, with the beginning of the month ratings in black and the end of the month ratings in blue.
Spiritual: (10)(9.5): The goal is to live a spiritually meaningful life:
- Continue with daily prayers and gratitude; focus on being positive and joyful - On-going. Daily prayers and gratitudes are an established part of my life and there is much joy. Sometimes, however, I've struggled with being positive and that will be something I will focus on in October.
- Continue to practice meditation at home and at the temple - On-going; I have been practicing meditation at home and at temple.
- Continue to cultivate non-attachment to material things by donating/decluttering more - I had a goal of decluttering 30 items, this month, but I didn't accomplish that. Will have to double up on my efforts in October, I think.
- Participate in prayer ceremonies at the temple - Accomplished; attended one of the prayer ceremonies at the temple.
- Attend the monthly rosary prayer gathering - Accomplished; gave cousin P and friend F a ride to it, as well. I will be hosting the October prayer gathering.
I reduced the satisfaction rating to 9.5 because I didn't accomplish the amount of decluttering I had meant to accomplish.
House (9)(8.5): The goal is a home that is pleasant, comfortable, and welcoming:
- Clean - do one deep cleaning task per week - focus on the kitchen - On-going. I was over-ambitious, apparently, because I didn't get as much done as I would have liked to. But, I am giving myself credit for what I did manage to do and am moving on!
- Organize - continue to find a place for everything and keep everything in its place - Work in progress! I tend to struggle with keeping everything in its place! Need to focus on putting stuff away!
- Well maintained - continue to implement the cleaning schedule - On-going. As I mentioned, earlier, I've been tweaking the cleaning schedule, a bit, but, the house is being maintained, for the most part, although not quite to my satisfaction!
- Decluttered - find 30 items to declutter - Didn't quite manage to accomplish this goal! I found half of the amount to declutter, but, then, again, I didn't try very hard! Need to do more to make up for it in October!
I reduced the satisfaction rating to 8.5 because I really feel like I didn't accomplish my goal in this area, this month.
Garden (8)(8): The goal is a garden that is productive, yet drought tolerant:
- Maintain (water 2-3 times per week, depending on the temperature; weed) - The garden is being maintained. As I mentioned earlier, summer is not a very good time for my garden; it just gets too hot. All I can do is water and wait for the cooler weather.- Get ready for fall planting - Not too much of that got done; however, I scattered some seeds and M took some cuttings to propagate, so we'll see how that works out.
Going to keep the rating at 8.
Daughter (10)(10): The goal is to continue to have a close relationship with her:
- Daily texts, phone calls, and video chatting, etc. - On-going. Chatting with her is one of the highlights of my day!
- Daily texts, phone calls, and video chatting, etc. - On-going. Chatting with her is one of the highlights of my day!
- Enjoy her planned visit in September (for her friend's bachelorette party) - Enjoyed having her home for a few days.
This area continues to be a 10!
Family & Friends (10)(10): The goal is to have a connection with family members and friends:
This area continues to be a 10!
Family & Friends (10)(10): The goal is to have a connection with family members and friends:
- Regular phone calls and emails - On-going; in addition to the regular phone calls and emails, etc., had a long conversation with one of my cousins in Australia.
- Will be seeing several members of the family and friends at this month's prayer gathering - Accomplished; saw several members of the family and friends; as I've mentioned before, it is one of the reasons why I attend these prayer gatherings. Also, gave cousin P and friend F a ride to the prayer gathering and back.
Friend R and I were to get together for a meal, one day, but, she was not able to keep the date.
In addition, I was able to alter a dress for my daughter's friend.
Going to keep the rating at 10.
Community (10)(10): The goal is to be involved in my community:
- Continue to participate in the blogging community - On-going. I enjoy being part of the blogging community and another blogger and I found that we had friends in common, which was fun!
- Participate in the Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt - Accomplished! I had a lot of fun!
- Weekly phone calls with neighbor T - Accomplished. Spoke with her several times, in addition to the Sunday phone calls.
- Continue to participate in the online group of which I am a member - On-going.
I am going to keep this rating at 10.
Finances (10)(10): The goal is financial security:
- Participate in the Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt - Accomplished! I had a lot of fun!
- Weekly phone calls with neighbor T - Accomplished. Spoke with her several times, in addition to the Sunday phone calls.
- Continue to participate in the online group of which I am a member - On-going.
I am going to keep this rating at 10.
Finances (10)(10): The goal is financial security:
- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully, with purpose - On-going; spoke with my financial planner a couple of times, as well.
I am going to keep this rating at 10.
Health & Well Being (9)(8.5): The goal is good health:
- Attend the medical appointments scheduled for this month (2 doctor's appointments and 1 lab test, so far) - Accomplished; the doctors' appointments went well and the lab results were all good!
- Continue to work on the following life style changes:
I am going to keep this rating at 10.
Health & Well Being (9)(8.5): The goal is good health:
- Attend the medical appointments scheduled for this month (2 doctor's appointments and 1 lab test, so far) - Accomplished; the doctors' appointments went well and the lab results were all good!
- Continue to work on the following life style changes:
- better diet - eat more vegetables, less carbs; keep a food diary - Didn't quite accomplish what I wanted to do in this area. Not too happy with myself about it.
- better hydration - drink 8 x 8oz glasses of water, daily - Accomplished for the most part. There are still days when I struggle to drink sufficient water.
- better sleep habits - get 6-7 hours of sleep; actively try to go to bed before midnight! - Work in progress! I do get 6-7 hours of sleep, but I don't fall asleep till the early morning hours (even when I try to go to bed, earlier) and only get the needed amount of sleep by sleeping in.
- more exercise - get back on a walking schedule - Well, I started out the month right, walking every day for about 3 or 4 days and then, I got bitten by my neighbor's dogs and got distracted by my daughter's visit, shortly thereafter, and since then, walks have been hit or miss! More miss than hits!
- better hydration - drink 8 x 8oz glasses of water, daily - Accomplished for the most part. There are still days when I struggle to drink sufficient water.
- better sleep habits - get 6-7 hours of sleep; actively try to go to bed before midnight! - Work in progress! I do get 6-7 hours of sleep, but I don't fall asleep till the early morning hours (even when I try to go to bed, earlier) and only get the needed amount of sleep by sleeping in.
- more exercise - get back on a walking schedule - Well, I started out the month right, walking every day for about 3 or 4 days and then, I got bitten by my neighbor's dogs and got distracted by my daughter's visit, shortly thereafter, and since then, walks have been hit or miss! More miss than hits!
- Get back down to a healthier weight through diet and exercise - Nope! Didn't accomplish this, either! But, at least, I didn't gain any more!
I am reducing the rating to 8.5 due to the lack of progress in the healthy life style changes. It might have been even lower, except for the fact that the lab test results were all good!
Time Management (8)(8): The goal is to spend my time in a mindful manner:
- Keep to a more regular schedule - I don't know if "Work in Progress" is a good way to describe this! I do have a somewhat regular schedule, but, it is not the schedule I should have! I stay up too late, I wake up late, I have no set meal times, exercise routines, etc., etc., etc. It works for me because I am retired and I live alone. I make my appointments for the late mornings or early afternoons, and things get done as needed, but, I don't think it is a very good schedule.
- Procrastinate less - Ha!
I am keeping the rating at 8, because things are getting done and I am trying to stay positive!
Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time (10)(10): The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
I am reducing the rating to 8.5 due to the lack of progress in the healthy life style changes. It might have been even lower, except for the fact that the lab test results were all good!
Time Management (8)(8): The goal is to spend my time in a mindful manner:
- Keep to a more regular schedule - I don't know if "Work in Progress" is a good way to describe this! I do have a somewhat regular schedule, but, it is not the schedule I should have! I stay up too late, I wake up late, I have no set meal times, exercise routines, etc., etc., etc. It works for me because I am retired and I live alone. I make my appointments for the late mornings or early afternoons, and things get done as needed, but, I don't think it is a very good schedule.
- Procrastinate less - Ha!
I am keeping the rating at 8, because things are getting done and I am trying to stay positive!
Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time (10)(10): The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
- Engage in daily joyful activities - Accomplished. My joyful activities have revolved around sewing, reading, knitting, taking photos for the summer photo scavenger hunt, watching some interesting TV programs, and gardening. Altering the bridesmaids dresses were a bit challenging at times, but, I was happy to be sewing (it was a good excuse for not spending much time in cleaning the house!) I also sewed a baby quilt and a table runner and two cushion covers.
- Go on at least a couple of outings - This month's outings were to the library and the fabric store, the temple, and an aunt's house for the prayer gathering. Not quite the leisure type outings I had intended, but, they are places I enjoy going to, so, I am happy.
I am keeping the rating at a 10.
That is my review of my goals for a more balanced life in September. I slipped down on the satisfaction ratings in some areas, while I kept the others at what they were. I see a lot of room for improvement in several areas, but, nothing dipped down to below 8 and I am pleased with what I was able to accomplish, overall.
- Go on at least a couple of outings - This month's outings were to the library and the fabric store, the temple, and an aunt's house for the prayer gathering. Not quite the leisure type outings I had intended, but, they are places I enjoy going to, so, I am happy.
I am keeping the rating at a 10.
That is my review of my goals for a more balanced life in September. I slipped down on the satisfaction ratings in some areas, while I kept the others at what they were. I see a lot of room for improvement in several areas, but, nothing dipped down to below 8 and I am pleased with what I was able to accomplish, overall.
Did you make any goals for a more balanced life in September? If so, how did you do?
On the whole you've had a good month and have done well with your goals. I too am struggling with the healthy diet and exercise part of life, and also the final bit of the decluttering, so I can't offer any suggestions for you, sorry!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. I guess these things don't get done unless we do them, ourselves; they don't do them on their own! LOL! Looking back, I think I was in a bit of a slump, or, maybe I was in vacation mode! I got a lot of cleaning done, today, and already, the house has gone up a notch! :)
DeleteI tried doing the wheel myself. I'm finding it is helping me address the areas in which I feel I have little or no control over at the moment. I'm identifying the areas I am able to change and working on those instead.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how things change over time. X
I'm glad you tried it, Jules. The areas we have little or no control over are hard. Working on the areas we can change is a good first step. I hope you find it helpful.
DeleteYou are doing very well, taking the time to stop and assess is really working for you. I may consider something like this once I feel a little more caught up on things. Or maybe if I did it right away, I'd get a little more caught up on things. Thanks for sharing in such detail.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susanne. The one thing I've learned over the years is that there really isn't a better time than the present to start something! I am never more caught up on things than I am at present and things really don't slow down as much on a future day as I think they might! Sometimes, just doing things then and there is the best way! :)
Delete