Goals. Resolutions. Reflections. Intentions. Whatever you want to call it, the concept is the same. The new year brings this feeling of the start of something new. It’s refreshing. It’s also where you can reflect on the past year and think about the lows. Then there is the WHY of our goals, think your kids, your family, your farm. Why do we want to have goals, who is going to benefit from them?

“Remember that if you don’t prioritize your life someone else will.”

As a farm wife, it’s tough being selfish. There is always something going on there that seems to take precedent. A tough calving, broken equipment, field work, meetings… you get the point. Farming can wear on a person, whether you are the farmer or the significant other because even as the significant other it’s just as tough. You are the one picking up the slack and usually the sounding board. That’s why it’s ok to selfish and put yourself front and center with your goals.

Your Why

 In this day and age we know we have to take care of one’s self before trying to take care of others. Want to run around and play with your kids more? Want to have more home cooked meals? Want to say ‘no’ more? Those decisions all come back on YOU. That’s why we are going to start this year off on the right foot. Think about the good that is to come.

Prepare to commit – to your kids. To you. To your farm. To your business. To your husband. To your job. Your WHY.

Now, do what works for you. Don’t over complicate it.

Write them down right now. Put them somewhere you’ll actually remember where they’re at, as well as, be able to see them occasionally to check in how you’re doing with them. Write your WHY on there too.  Use whatever format works best for you. Personally I use the tool called Evernote. And I will admit I have been caught up in the pretty planners and overly complicated systems of checklists and notepads, but this is what I always come back to. I am also going to put the list on a post-it note on the inside of my cabinet I open up every single morning.

My goal examples for 2019:

• Patience

• Being prepared

• Growing the blog

• Continuing working out 4-5 times per week

Things we have done well the last year:

• Stuck with using the digital farm calendar to increase communication
• Made our bed consistently
• Got rid of negative people in our lives

What experiences can you learn from or should you learn from? Lessons learned?

Once you create your goals and intentions for the year, hold yourself accountable. What’s the best way to do that?

Think about it, what do you ALWAYS carry with you? Your cell phone. Be honest, it really is your phone, whether you like to admit that or not. Put the reminders on there right now. Depending on what goals you are working on, the reminders could be weekly, monthly or quarterly. I make reminders in the calendar app as if they are dates I want need to know about.

If you need more help and direction, take a listen to this podcast, http://shediditherwaypodcast.com/interviews/2018/8/30/sdh-291.

Be selfish. Remember that by working on yourself you will help those out around you.  

What goals are you working on this year? Let me know if the comments what you use to track goals.