As we enter the last few months of 2013 and I look over my goals and progress, it can be a little overwhelming. I have some big goals on the list I really want to achieve and some of them have stalled.
In these circumstances, I find the best thing to do is to break these goals down into smaller parts. A series of smaller actionable tasks lets me chip away at the goal. Sometimes a goal can seem too big to even start on. A task that you know will only take 30 minutes on the other hand is not so intimidating. I can keep chipping away at my goal and continue to make progress,
The new project I am working on has stalled, mainly I think because I have been feeling overwhelmed by it. So over the next six weeks I am going to take the following steps:
- I have broken the project into three stages.
- Create a work plan which breaks the tasks down to 30 minutes blocks to complete stage 1.
- Make these 30 minutes tasks the first task I complete on my work days – Tue, Thu and Fri.
This will move the project back on track. I am pretty sure it will also bring back my excitement and motivation for the project. I find I need little wins along the way, to keep me going when I am working hard on something. Even if it is ticking something off my to do list, it spurs me on to keep chipping away.
Have You Been To Japan?
One of my goals for this year has been to have a family holiday. I am completely thrilled to announce that through a partnership with Jetstar the Planning With Kids family will be going to Japan for a holiday later this month!
Jetstar flies to a number of cities in Japan. You can see more info here about where and when they fly. We are flying into Osaka for a few nights, then onto Tokyo for a few nights and then back to Melbourne.
Jetstar make travel affordable for families and you can easily keep up to date with sales and special offers by joining My Jetstar. My Jetstar is free to join and super easy to do so as you can sign up with your preferred social network.
And for a small fee ($39) you can join Club Jetstar and receive exclusive access to at least 4 member only sale events including $1 sale fares, each year.
So we have our flights and accommodation booked, but what I would love to hear if you have been to Japan with kids. I would love to know of any:
- Great places to eat in Osaka and Tokyo
- Fun and affordable activities with the kids
- Cultural experiences for families
- Shopping highlights
- And any other tips and advice you think will be helpful
Lots of planning to do – time to create some spreadsheets!
My August goal review
Goals | Progress |
|---|---|
Me - I am less rushed and healthier. |
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| Continue to improve my diet: one meat free meal a week, reduce consumption of sugar and carbs. | My focus for eating is eating clean. Cutting out processed foods, grains and reducing sugar intake. I am still experimenting on how to best do this and still be able to perform well at my physical activities. More reading and testing this month and more new recipes to come! |
| Read six books by the end of the year. | I officially abandoned this goal mid year and my total is 3 books so far. I have just started another one, so who knows, I just may meet this one by the end of the year. It has been interesting to see how taking the pressure of what books I read and when has had an impact. |
| Add variety to my exercise regime. | Goal met. |
| Sleep at least 6 hours a night on a regular basis. | Still requiring work. Feel like such a broken record when it comes to this goal. |
Family - We spend more time doing things together. |
|
| Monthly family meetings. | Goal met! |
| Eat out together on a quarterly basis. | We actually went out for a meal twice in August. |
| Have an active family holiday. | Will happen in September as noted above! So excited to be taking the kids to Japan courtesy of Jetstar. |
| Two big bush walks throughout the year. | Not applicable this month. |
Relationship - We have more time together on our own and support each others interests. |
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| A weekend away in 2013. | Investigating options to make this happen in October. |
| Attend an event in the Comedy Festival, see 1 play, see 1 live music gig and a attend one event at the Melbourne Festival. | Have tickets to an event in the Melbourne Festival in Oct. |
| Mr I will play football, cricket and cycle. | Football season has finished. Cricket season will start in October and Mr I is also going to try his hand as AFL 9's. He is also increasing his running and swimming. Some mornings now are a bit of a tag and run for us! |
| I will continue exercising 5 - 6 times a week. | Goal met! Like my diet I am experimenting with supplements and rest days to make sure I am taking care of myself. |
Work - Improved usability and resources on the blog and improved blogging skills. |
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| Analyse PWK survey and implement changes to the blog by quarter one. | Completed. |
| Develop the calendar to the next stage by quarter two. | No longer proceeding with this. |
| Take course at Australian Writers Centre by quarter three. | Not applicable this month. |
| Release new product by quarter four. | Have changed the goal for this from being something short term, to longer term. Unsure of when I will launch it as yet. |