4 Simple Goals (before 2013)

It's the start of a new season and I have a fun challenge for you! Way back in 2010 I wrote about my 4 Simple Goals. It was fun and helped me to stay inspired during the busiest season of the year. This morning Jeremy and I decided to give ourselves this challenge again! We want to invite you to play along too. Here are the "rules"- 

1. Choose simple goals that will make your life richer and happier on a daily basis. Choose things you may not otherwise get done, but that are not difficult to accomplish. 

2. Do not choose result oriented goals, choose activity oriented goals. for example.... instead of "lose 10 pounds", choose something like "eat fresh fruits and vegetables every day". Get what I'm saying? Positive actions instead of just the end result! 

3. Choose goals that are personal that you believe will truly make your life richer just by doing them! They can be daily, weekly or one time experiences. 

4. Choose a reward for each goal as it is accomplished! It can be a small or large reward- it's up to you. 

5. Blog about your goals, each one as you achieve it and a big post when they are all finished before the new year! I'll be doing this too! Link back to this post if you want to and leave us links to your goal blogs in the comments of this (or any) post for a chance to be featured on ABM before the new year. We will be sharing some of our favorite reader goals with links to your blogs! *NOTE: Please feel free to use the image above on your own blogs if you like! 

Do you think this is something that could enrich your life? Are you excited? I hope so. 

Here are my goals... 

1. Decorate with patience. This is an important goal for me. I am a list maker and I love the feeling of starting and finishing a project in one day. With my new home, I am trying to be very purposeful about decorating with patience. Instead of buying the first thing I see, or choosing things impulsively I am a trying to spend quality time on the whole process. I want to enjoy this season and I think that this goal will help me to focus less on accomplishing and more on enjoying. 2. Paint something. I haven't finished a painting in a few years. I've started a bunch, but I never finish. I blame this in part on not having a devoted painting space. In two weeks this excuse will be gone and I'll be setting up my new space after we move. I really want to start and finish a painting just to kick start the creative process and get back into a groove! 3. Eat green food every day. Over the summer Jeremy and I did Green Smoothies Diet. It was awesome. We drank green smoothies each day and made salads and other (mostly green) foods. We loved the challenge and want to stay in the habit of drinking green smoothies and eating at least one salad each day. I'm excited about trying to find ways to incorporate autumn vegetables into our salads. 4. Practice photography. As with all hobbies, it's easy to get in a rut. I love photography and this season I want to challenge myself to try new things and grow! I will make a short list (maybe 5-10) of styles and techniques to try. I think this will be a fun way to spice up my favorite hobby. For my rewards I am making an Etsy wishlist... just little things that I probably wouldn't treat myself to otherwise. Although, I kinda feel like the larger reward is the creative spirit that these goals will nurture. :)

Are you guys up for the challenge? I can't wait to read about your 4 Simple Goals! xoxo, elsie 

Comments

[Alexa]

this is great!! can't wait to get started :)
simple goals always seem easier to achieve and only lead you closer to a bigger goal

[Elizabeth Beattie]

I am so IN!!!!!! I already have a list started so I guess it's time to share. I will try and have it up and linked by next week! Wheeeee!

[luba]

great and helpful post ! love it !

XX Luba
Well Living BLog
http://very-well-living.blogspot.com

[Erin]

I love this, what a great motivator. I find new years resolutions tend to be too..large so seem doable, and thus inevitably get cast aside, but this, this I think I could stick with!

I'll certainly be linking back when I've posted my 4 :)

--Erin

[ellen]

Very inspiring! I like your idea of making goals~ I am soon to make the birthday list 29 things to do before 30 idea of yours- I haev done it the last three years and it's been really special to see what I have accomplished :) thank you as always for the inspiration

http://slidingdrawersblog.blogspot.com/

[Votre Amie]

What a great idea!! I love the idea of altering the goal to be something that is less "result" oriented and more full of action!
x
www.iloveublank.blogspot.com

[Trish]

Oh my gosh what a fantastic idea. I could think of about a million goals, but I like the "not using an end result" idea quite a lot.
Thanks for the inspiration ladies!
Trish

www.jellybonesblog.blogspot.com

[Catherine Denton]

YES! This is an awesome challenge! I know my first one will be to play a little every day. I get too busy and forget to enjoy life. I'll be adding links as I go!
http://catherinedenton.com
Catherine Denton

[Margherita]

Setting goals is always a very powerful thing to do. I usually set mines at the beginning of the year and then regularly check upon them.
As far as 2012 is concerned I have to say I've been very good at it sticked to the plan religiously...still there are four more months to go...

[The Life of Clare]

Such a great idea! 4 simple goals instead of huge unachievable lists! I think I'll have to come up with 4 and blog about them. Thank you for the inspiration!

[Rachael]

Ah, I love the idea of activity rather than goal orientated. I find myself doing rather bland 'to do' lists which consist of things like: pay bills, mark year 8 books (I teach) etc- hardly things to nourish the soul! I'm now going to think of five September goals and blog about them. I'll link back to you.Rx

http://sandersonsmithstory.blogspot.co.uk/

[Gina_AcuteDesigns]

I always make monthly goals. This process can be discouraging if I don't succeed so I really love the positive spin you put on goal making :).

[Vicky]

Ooh thanks for sharing! I definitely want to come up with my own.

xoxo, vicky
http://www.somehowlovely.com

[Hanna]

This sounds like a fun challenge. And I love that it's "simple" goals. I think we are all guilty of always giving ourselves really big tasks and then getting overwhelmed by it. I think I'm going to take on this challenge. Now I just have to take a minute, organize my thought and write down my 4 simple goals.

[Jessi]

I love the simplicity of your goals!! Makes them so do-able, yet they are so significant!

[Naomi A]

Great goals! I'll have to think about some for myself.

http://theoccasionalindulgence.blogspot.com

[Val]

Great!!

Val
http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/

[Meg]

Ooh, I love this!! Can't wait to work on a new blog post... :D

http://lifeatruestory4.blogspot.com/

[Leigh]

This is such a great idea! I am going to have to think up a list!

[Amanda]

What a great idea. I have posted mine!

http://www.thepetrichor.com/2012/09/07/4-simple-goals-before-2013/