Welcome to Heather's Blog
001 | Not Just Resolutions: Defining and Quantifying My Goals

001 | Not Just Resolutions: Defining & Quantifying My Goals

Welcome to my new blog, a space where I aim to share the unfiltered journey of pursuing health, financial independence, personal growth, and the delicate balance of being a stay-at-home mom. As I embark on this adventure, I want to kick things off by emphasizing that these are not just resolutions; they are tangible, quantifiable goals that I am committed to achieving, no matter how ugly it gets and how long it takes.

Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. -- James Clear

Before I get into my research, let me expand on what I want to bring to the table. There are a lot of places to go and read information. In fact, we have so much information today, that most people have to curate a small subset of data that is worth their time. My goal is not to make and set unreachable points, my `goal is to be open and honest as I make 1% changes.

Beyond Resolutions, Embracing Tangible Goals

As I embark on this adventure, it's not merely about resolutions; it's about carving a path toward tangible, quantifiable goals that transcend the conventional New Year's promises. The commitment I bring to these goals will be unwavering (I hope), a dedication to achieving outcomes that matter, irrespective of the obstacles encountered or the time it takes to surmount them. Even if I am not unwavering, I will be honest, and hopefully, that will teach you better ways to keep moving forward. I would love for you to join me on this journey and your readership will help keep me accountable.

An Overture to Real Progress

This inaugural post sets the stage for what lies ahead. It's a declaration that we are diving into MY ugly and chaotic everyday life—exploring MY FUTURE ups and downs, the successes, and even the little *oopses* along the way. Each blog post will be one part of a much larger picture on the canvas of my pursuits.

Tangible, Measurable, Achievable: A Pledge to You

I want you, my reader, to know that this is not just about me—it's about us. Together, we'll navigate the maze of health improvements, financial milestones, personal breakthroughs, and the delicate art of harmonizing family life. I invite you to join me on this journey, to share your experiences, and to find inspiration in the pursuit of goals that are not merely spoken but lived. I will try to always provide freebies and resource links alongside quality content and raw authenticity.

A Pledge to Authenticity

Speaking of authenticity, please expect that in my writings. Some of this will be researched, some will be opinions, and some will be life-learned experiences. I will try to denote research and sources as I go where possible. This isn't a showcase of perfection but a display of the genuine, raw beauty found in everyday struggles and victories, hopefully, lots of victories. So, let's embark on this small story of purpose, where the pursuit of 1% changes is most important, and the quest for measurable and quantifiable achievements is embraced with open arms. Here's to writing our stories together, one goal at a time.

Making Goals Quantifiable: A Research-Based Approach

Setting goals is just the first step. It is a fundamental step in making our goals quantifiable and that is where the real progress begins. In this section, I want to explore the pivotal role that research and expertise play in transforming our aspirations into tangible, achievable triumphs. Research and expertise play a crucial role in ensuring that our objectives are realistic and achievable.

Let’s start with something I learned in college many moons ago. Smart goals:

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Personally, I find that short stints of goals are easier to achieve and lead to more encouragement driving you to hit the final goal with more ease.

Questions to ask

I will answer the questions below so you can see where we are headed and also use these for your goal-setting. I will include a free printable PDF with these questions for you as well.

Write your general goal here: I want to improve my health in the next few months so my frequency of joint pain and headaches is reduced.

S | Specific: A specific goal leaves no room for ambiguity. It clarifies the endpoint, providing a clear target for your efforts.

1. What will you achieve? I want to eat healthy as a family on a budget.
2. What will you do? I will loosely meal plan and add in vegetables and reduce processed foods.

M | Measurable: Incorporating quantifiable metrics allows you to track advancements, transforming abstract goals into concrete achievements that can be monitored and celebrated.

1. What data will you use to decide whether you've met the goal? I will share my success by the number of meals cooked home.

A | Achievable: An achievable goal is one that, with the right resources and commitment, is within your reach. It's about setting objectives that inspire growth without setting oneself up for failure.

1. Are you sure you can do this? Do you have the right skills and resources? Yes!

R | Relevant: A relevant goal contributes to the larger tapestry of your aspirations. It ensures that each step you take is purposeful and significant.

1. Does the goal align with those of your family or support group? Not fully, but they have the same goals on budget and like my cooking
2. How will the result matter? They will improve my quality of life and help me reduce spending stress and decision fatigue.

T | Time-bound: A time-bound goal adds a sense of urgency, fostering commitment and preventing procrastination. It sets a deadline, turning a distant dream into a near-future reality.

1. What is the deadline for accomplishing the goal? I want this to be a process of one percent gains. So lets set goals based on the weeks that are achievable. We will travel and have a birthday in week one, so that can be a semi-base line. Then I will gather the daft for the next three weeks. Priviously we were eating out 4 times per week or ordering in, so less than that is a 1% WIN!

Here are some more great resources for setting quantifiable goals

Asana TLDR/Highlight:

“Writing SMART goals is all about breaking down your objectives into smaller, more manageable components that are easy to track and achieve. Here's a simple step-by-step guide to make the goal-setting process a breeze.”

Benchmarks: “Using standardized benchmarks, you can set more relevant goals that are easier to measure.”

asana.com/resources/smart-goals

Forbes TLDR/Highlight:

Included tips for “How To Follow Through on Your Goals”

1. “Write Goals Down: a good reminder”
2. “Share Goals With Relevant People: accountability”
3. “Regularly Evaluate Progress: see what progress has been made”
4. “Celebrate Wins: The little successes help you maintain the energy to work toward the bigger goal.”

forbes.com/advisor/business/smart-goals

Video for those of us multi-tasking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-SvuFIQjK8

*Just a note - if the video is boring or too slow you can watch it sped up using the settings button in the video player.*

Defining the Pillars of My Journey

Health and Wellness

In the realm of health, I have struggled with fatigue, headaches, inflammation, and weight issues for some time now. My current focus extends beyond generic fitness resolutions. I am committed to crafting a sustainable lifestyle for my family and me. This includes exploring nutritious and delicious recipes, incorporating regular exercise into our routine, and nurturing our mental well-being. By defining clear health objectives, I can measure our progress and celebrate the small victories that contribute to our overall well-being.

Above, I set a first goal for this topic. I would like to set a smart goal for every topic I have without overwhelming myself. We all know how difficult it is to keep many plates spinning so some goals may be less ambitious than others and I will try to check in on a different goal during each post here on my blog. There will be an exception though. If I am making great progress on a topic or goal, I will visit it more frequently during that season.

My smart goal for health is I want to eat healthy as a family, and stay on a budget by loosely meal planning and adding in vegetables while reducing processed foods. I will share my success by the number of meals cooked at home. I want this to be a process of one percent gains. So let's set goals based on the achievable weeks. We will travel and have a birthday in week one, so that can be a semi-base line. Then I will gather the daft for the next three weeks. Previously we were eating out 4 times per week or ordering in, so less than that is a 1% WIN!

Week one: Base line | Week two: 3 meals out or less and count veggies

Week 3-4: Then follow up with my family before we move further.

Financial Independence

Financial independence is not merely a lofty aspiration; it's a concrete plan with actionable steps. I will delve into the world of budgeting, saving, and investing, sharing practical tips for families aiming to achieve financial stability. We are seven years into this journey, and it will be around 7-15 more unless some large changes happen. By setting specific financial milestones, I can track our journey toward economic freedom and provide insights for others on a similar path. My goals will be quantifiable, short-term, and reachable. This month, I will tie this goal in with health.

My smart goal for financial independence is that my husband and I have set budgets using Mint and want to spend a specific amount on groceries and household goods this month. I will need to meal prep and do check-ins/benchmarks.

Personal Growth and UI/UX Design

As a stay-at-home mom with a keen interest in UI/UX design, my personal growth extends into the professional realm. I will share my experiences navigating the challenges of acquiring new skills while managing family responsibilities. Through quantifiable goals in design proficiency and project completion, I aim to inspire others to pursue their passions while honoring their commitments and responsibilities.

My smart goal for Personal Growth and UI/UX Design this month is to find 1-3 good quality resources for free learning about user experience and interaction. I especially want to learn about user testing and research for improving the flow and interaction with a web page or application.

Language Learning, Travel, and Montessori-Like Time

Our family's commitment to language learning, travel, and embracing a Montessori-like approach to education is not a mere wishlist but it needs to become a structured plan. We have goals, and I will be transparent as we make routines and plans and discuss how they help or hinder our growth. I'll share strategies for teaching languages to children, tips for family-friendly travel, and insights into creating a flexible yet enriching learning environment at home. I have an educational background and have worked with kids from many different cultures, but I want to share what I learn along the way as I apply this to my very own, only child who is currently two-and-a-half.

My smart goal for Montessori like education at home focused on encouraging our new transition from a Montessori school to a stay-at-home schedule. Last fall my daughter was in Montessori two days a week. Due to our family’s goal of reaching financial independence. My husband agreed that we should take her out of school and save $400-$500 a month on school and its additional fees. With this, I need my sanity and to be able to work from home. I also do not want my daughter’s education to suffer too much. I may need to start on week two with travel and the other goals set above, but either way, my goal is to create weekly routines that allow for the additional smart goals to be set and reached. Then at the end of each week, I want to analyze what worked and did not work as I plan for the next week and improve our routine to fit with our family dynamics, times, hobbies, and goals.

Quantifying Progress

Now the rough part that I’ve honestly been dreading. How can I quantify my S.M.A.R.T. goals to manage and view my progress (or lack of progress.) Hint; If you cannot quantify your goals, they are not considered S.M.A.R.T. and it will be harder to view and set benchmarks.

Health: I want to eat healthy as a family, stay on a budget, add in vegetables, and reduce processed foods (we will track this with added sugar.)

I will need to log the following things:

Financial: My husband and I have set budgets using Mint and want to spend a specific amount on groceries and household goods this month. I will need to meal prep and do check-ins/benchmarks.

Self Development: To find 1-3 good quality resources IN JANUARY for free learning about user experience and interaction. I especially want to learn about user testing and research for improving the flow and interaction with a web page or application.

Work From Home Schedule: create weekly routines that allow for the additional smart goals to be set and reached. Then at the end of each week, I want to analyze what worked and did not work as I plan for the next week and improve our routine to fit with our family dynamics, times, hobbies, and goals.

I will share my 2-4 schedules with you so you can see some examples!

Finally, the wrap-up

In upcoming posts, I will share insights into the methodologies and tools I've discovered, drawing from expert advice to help you set measurable goals for your unique journey.

If you just scrolled to the bottom, or want a quick summary, here is what I covered today:

Welcome Aboard: My goal is to provide an unfiltered journey as I pursue health, financial independence, personal growth, and the delicate balance of being a stay-at-home mom. These aren't just resolutions; they're tangible, quantifiable goals committed to no matter the challenges.

SMART Goals Unveiled: S.M.A.R.T. goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Short, manageable goals pave the way for encouragement and easier achievement. Research and expertise are the bedrock of transforming aspirations into achievable triumphs.

Quantifying Progress: From health to financial independence, personal growth, and Montessori-like education at home, each journey is underpinned by quantifiable goals. Dive into the details of setting benchmarks, tracking progress, and learning from experiences to achieve meaningful, measurable milestones.

Now, join me as I navigate the intersection of family life, personal aspirations, and quantitative goal-setting. Together, let's move beyond resolutions and carve out a path toward meaningful, measurable achievements.

Here's to a journey of purpose, progress, and a life well-lived.

Heather