I’m extra fun with caffeine.

Sundays with family are my happiest days. 

My perfect morning consists of an early morning sunrise, coffee, and quiet time with Jesus. 

I could binge on chocolate, cookies, and “The Office” all night long. 

Grease and Mamma Mia are my jam.

My ideal night is sitting around the fire pit and pool with my girlfriends.

My favorite trip has been to the Big Island, Hawaii, but my dream trip is Copenhagen, Denmark.

I want to say I love living out in the country, but I really enjoy picking up a latte at the Starbucks on every corner.

Get to know Bethie

How I Set My Goals

Happy New Year! Well, sort of…

Sparklers, How I set my Goals

For the last few years, I have chosen to set my new year’s goals and resolutions the weekend after the Fourth of July. It sounds crazy, but I find it works best for me. 

I would do it in January, but life feels too busy to stop and see what I want to improve and work on. 

Why I Set Goals in July

In July, life seems to slow down. My mind can rest and I can breathe freely again (see the blog The Value of Rest, I walk you through my favorite ways to relax, and find new inspiration). I spend time outside, read books, and have fresh inspiration and motivation for how I want to approach this next year.

At the half way point of the year, I can pause and analyze what I liked in the beginning months and what went well. I can also, decide what I want to change or improve in the upcoming months and finish strong.

planning in a notebook, cup of coffee, How I set my Goals

How to Analyze Your Life

Rebecca Lyons in her book Rhythms of Renewal works through a self-inventory exercise. In this exercise, you ask yourself 3 questions and dwell in each of them for a few minutes. Here are the questions: 

  1. What’s good?
  2. What’s confusing?
  3. What’s missing?

After processing these questions and looking over the past few months, I can begin to see what I would like to change and what I would like to continue doing.

Setting Goals You Will Actually Achieve

I don’t like to set a lot of goals or a goal that is too ambitious. Rather, I try and set goals that I can actually achieve. 

When I set the goal, I try and realistically plan for how to accomplish it.  I ask myself questions like…

  • What do I need to do now to set myself up for success to reach this goal?
  • Is it practical? 
  • How can I tweak this goal, so that it will actually work for me?

Become Specific in Planning Your Goals

So, for example, last year my goal was to work-out consistently. Instead of saying, I will try and work out more often, I became really specific on how I would achieve this goal. 

I started by deciding that I need a workout program to follow, that way I would not need to constantly search for work-outs and I would have them right there and ready for me. I looked into a bunch and chose to follow Anna Victoria’s Fit Body

Secondly, I really did not want to go to the gym and I knew I would never work-out if I did, so I decide I would do my work-outs from home.  

And finally, I wanted to make it a habit. I gave it a specific time and made it part of my everyday routine. That way, I never had to make time for it or simply hope I would get to it. If I did not prioritize it, it would never happen. I decided I would do it first thing in the morning, before anything else began. 

By taking these steps, I was able to stick with my goal of working out for an entire year and continue it into this new year. 

A cup of tea, computer, and a note pad. How I set my goals

Okay, my last tip for setting goals… Give yourself grace.

It is okay to miss a few days or to take a break. You don’t need perfection; you are looking for progress. 

My Goals

This year a few of my goals are to prioritize quite prayer time with God daily, continue working out (and add running into the mix), read more frequently. They are simple and I already do all of them, but I would like to improve and strengthen these areas of my life. 

I am looking forward to the second half of the year! What are your goals and resolutions?  I would love to cheer you on as we finish this year strong. Leave a comment below with your goals and let’s connect on Instagram!

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I'm an open book in my blogs. I share everything that has taken me from living in sickness, anxiety, and depression to having life abundantly. I don't share for pity or as a way to vent, but rather to encourage other women to live a peaceful and simplified life. I'll only address things when I can look back and with clear thinking decide what has helped me throughout this journey. 

If you are looking for resources to bring peace and health back into your life and help you leave a life-giving leagacy, head to the shop the blog page!

I can only speak through experience, but I'll share every step of the way... 

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