Setting My Goals for 2015
Happy New Year Friends!
I don’t know about you, but to me there is nothing quite like the promise of a whole new year, of a fresh start and a new beginning, where I can reflect both on where I’ve been and where I want to go. There is nothing I love more than goal-setting, and I literally woke up giddy yesterday at the thought of setting new resolutions for this coming year. Midway through the day, my husband, who had stayed up much later than me, asked why I was so intolerably cheery.
Honey, I said, after 10 years you have to know that this is my FAVORITE DAY of the whole year!
He just laughed. Oh he knows.
In any case, 2014 definitely saw the realization of some pretty big professional and financial goals. In fact, it felt very much like the year where all the work I have been putting in for the last few years finally began to pay off. I self-published two books, launched a blogging course, and then released my first traditionally published book, Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life. On the financial side, my husband and I were also able to pay off our mortgage and declare ourselves 100% debt free. (That was pretty huge. We are still in a little bit of shock over actually accomplishing that goal!)
And while 2014 was a really amazing year, it was also a very stressful and busy year. I traveled a lot, much more than ever before, and to keep up with all the demands of this blog and all our other projects, I added several new team members. More people meant we could do more, but it also means more personalities to work with and more chances for things to go wrong. Growth does not usually come without growing pains!
In fact, I read a quote a few months ago in my friend Michele’s upcoming book, Undone, that has stuck with me ever since:
We often pray for the harvest, but we forget that when the harvest comes, it is a whole lot of work.
This is NOT a complaint! When I look back on the past year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I am so thankful for the opportunities I’ve had, but even more than that I am thankful for the people who have supported this crazy journey along the way–my husband, my team, an amazing network of friends, and the entire LWSL community.
Even so, my heart is telling me that in my personal life, I have some serious work to do. My mission this year is to slow down and make more time for the important people in my life, especially my kids. In fact, the number one goal I am writing down is to spend at least 5 solid minutes every day snuggling and cuddling with each of my girls. Maybe this is something each of you already do without even thinking about, but I know it is definitely something I need to work on. Being goal-oriented can be great, but not if it comes at the expense of the people that matter most. My kids don’t need a drill sergeant, they need a mom!
My heart is also telling me that I need to go back to my blogging roots. I originally started this blog five years ago as a way to hold myself accountable as I tried to figure out what living well and spending less really meant. Over the years this site has become less about my own personal journey, and more of a resource for others who are trying to navigate those same waters. While I don’t want to change that, I wouldn’t mind once again creating some public accountability for myself!
Thus, I decided this year over at LWSL Everyday, our members-only community site for LWSL readers, I am going to get real and personal with you all this year! I’ll be sharing my goals & household budget on a monthly basis, as well as progress reports along the way–the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have to admit that I am a little nervous to lay it all out there for you, but there is also a part of me that is looking forward to the challenge! Right now you can join the community absolutely free, so be sure to get registered so that you can see my whole list of goals and follow along this year!
Finally, if you haven’t already, I would also love to encourage you to pick up a copy of Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life. This book has so much to offer anyone needing to find the courage to make small but powerful changes to your homes, goals, and finances this year. In it I share many of my own struggles, as well as the practical solutions that have helped me along the way. (Though quite honestly I am still a work in progress! We all are.)
If you missed it on Wednesday, I shared that because the book is currently backlogged on Amazon and many of you are having to wait a few weeks to receive your book, we have extended our preorder bonus offer for a few more days. That way any of you who are waiting can get INSTANT access to our digital home planning workbook, a beautifully designed 155-page planner that includes pages for goal setting, meal planning, budgeting, and much more! It is the perfect accompaniment to the book, and the perfect way to start your New Year well!
Here is what to do to get your bonus workbook:
Purchase the book from any bookseller in any format. You can find it at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Books a Million , or ChristianBook.com . It should also be available in your local bookstores and at Target.
Fill in the form to get your bonus HERE . Be sure to include your order number or receipt number! The bonus should arrive in your email inbox within minutes. Be sure to check your spam or “promotions” folder!
And in the meantime, I would love to hear about YOUR goals for 2015! What is the one thing you most want to work on this year?
Happy Friday, and Happy 2015!
xoxo, Ruth
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