How to Sort of Fail at Achieving Your Goals

So remember last month when I set some goals for October? 

It turns out that I am not so good at completing goals. 

Here's how I did:

1. Walk for 30 minutes a day, at least 4 times a week. 

I think I even used the phrase "no excuses not do this" with great confidence that I would come out of the end of the month half-way fit and in shape-ish. Well, the first week went great, then...ummm...turns out I have a lot of excuses. 

For example:

The federal parks are closed and I like to walk by the river

It's raining

The bricks in Old Town are too bumpy

I need a nap

But it is 30 whole minutes that I could be getting other things done

I like getting dressed in the morning, not like putting on yoga pants and sneakers.

Last night, Kev and I were talking about this and how I have such a hard time prioritizing working out because it is not something I really enjoy. Sure, I feel good afterwards, but I don't look forward to doing it. His suggestion was for me to work out at night after the boys go to bed. I pointed to the giant glass of wine I just poured after the boys went to bed (giant, because I was feeling too lazy to walk back up the 6 steps to pour more and it was more efficient to fill it up the first time). Clearly, night exercise is not going to happen.

2. Read at least two books.

Good news, this one did happen, just by a hair as I finished my second book last week. I read Dan Brown's Inferno (while I appreciate the amount of research that needs to go into his books, I am admittedly tired of the Robert Langdon character. I mean, how many times can a Harvard professor get in life or death situations?) and Veronica Roth's Allegiant (Didn't like it as much as the first two, it was kind of all over the place with plot points and random characters who would pop up few a minutes but really serve no purpose. Still an interesting premise though).

3. Book 4 photography jobs.

I did 0 in October, but have 6 coming up, does that count? 

And it is not too late for you, so email me if you want more info.

4. Finish our Year 6 Photo Book.

So this is annoying... I went through a year's worth of file folders and uploaded 500 hundred pictures, then sat down last Friday night to get this done. I did 30 pages and clicked on the button to 'add more' and realized I had selected the wrong type of book and this particular one capped out at 30. I was only halfway through the year and there is no way to transfer all the pages done to a new book. Grrrr. I know I can sit down and get this done, but I am not done being annoyed at myself yet. 

5. Turn 30.

Check.

6. Finish Wells' Nursery. 

Again, SO close, but not done. There is one more project I need to complete and like any of the problem above, time is an issue. I just rarely have a large chunk of time to sit down and complete something and because this involves painting, I need it to be uninterrupted. I am hoping to have this ready by next week because everything else is so cute and it is really turning into such a unique and special room. 

A sneak peek of this amazingness done by Lauren:

And so my friends, that is how you sort of complete goals, but not really at all. The good news is,  we had a wonderful month of October, and my main goals of loving my husband and raising my children to be functional members of society are still in check. 

What I Want To Do This Month

I feel like October is the first 'normal' month we've had in a long time. With the past few months surrounding the move, then floating around VA and house hunting, moving in and getting settled, having a baby, figuring that out, and starting school/work, this is really the first month we are in a good routine and life feels like it is back on track.

Because of that, it is also the perfect month to set some goals. 

Here is what I'll be working on.

1. Exercise. 

Blah. I hate exercising. 

But, my post partum honeymoon (I just had a baby! Bring on the wine! I'm not cooking, ever! I'm not allowed to do any heavy lifting!) is over and it is time to get healthy. So my goals are not too big this month and very manageable: 

Walk 30 minutes at least 4 times a week. 

I have no excuse MWF to not walk with Wells while the big boys are at school and I am sure I can get in one more on the weekends or evenings. This may not sound like a lot, but as a person who never actively chooses to work out over doing other things during my short integrals of free time, this is a start. 

All my strength training will be done totting around Well's extra chin.

2. Read at least two books.

Since most of my world is in toddler-speak, reading keeps my mind active and reminds me that there are adult words out there too. Last month I read City of Thieves and 13 Reasons Why (City of Thieves was really boring and I didn't dislike 13 Reasons, but I wasn't in love with the writing style. The premise was certainly interesting and gets an important message across about how your actions are affecting other people, but I've definitely read better YA Fiction books. (It seems like a lot of you have read it, what did you think?)

Here is what I got from the library yesterday (and put several of the titles you all suggested on instragram on hold, thanks!).

I can fly through Dan Brown books, so I know I'll finish The Inferno. And I read The Passage last year, The Twelve is the second book. I think I'll have to re-read the synopsis of The Passage before taking this one on; I remember the plot being really complicated, but interesting nonetheless. 

3. Book 4 photography jobs.

I have one on the calendar and would love some more. It is the perfect time of year for some gorgeous family photos, so sign up now!

4. Finish our Year 6 photo book.

I've made a coffee table book for each year of our marriage so far, except the last...which ended in March. If it doesn't get done this month, I will certainly end up two years behind.

I love seeing how our family has changed and grown throughout the years

5. Turn 30.

This is going to happen no matter what. 

I actually remember my parents being 30 and that weirds me out. But also I remember my aunts and uncles being in their 20s and hanging out at our house all the time, so I am grateful that my boys will have those memories too.

6. Finish Wells' nursery. 

Cullen, my mom and I are working on a little project this week and then I have one piece of furniture I need to find and his room will be complete. 

What are you striving for this month?

***

PS If you are reading, but I haven't visited your blog in a while, leave me a comment! I never open my reader but do get back to emails and comments. It is the easiest way to stay in touch these days!