Can you believe it’s September? Part of me wonders how we’re nine months into the year already, and the other part is ready for 2020 to just be over. Feels like I’ve lost all concept of time. Regardless of 2020’s insanity, one thing I look forward to at the start of each month is setting monthly goals.
It may sound super nerdy but I really look forward to this process. To me, the first of the month is like a brand new chance to work on myself. I sit down with my Emily Ley planner, reflect on the past 30 days and figure out what I want to do differently at the start of the new month. Setting goals gives me a sense of intention for the month ahead, and it forces me to think about what I’m doing currently vs. how I envision my best self.
4 Categories for Setting Monthly Goals
As I’m setting monthly goals, I break my break goals into four categories:
- Physical
- Mental/Spiritual/Emotional
- Professional
- Personal
My September 2020 Goals
Physical Goals
Get 10,000 Steps Each Day
I’ve been working on getting 10,000 steps a day for a while. I made some good progress in August but I’m not quite there yet, which is why I want to focus on this goal.
Recommit to Strength Training
I started using Kayla Itsines’ SWEAT app in quarantine because there are options for no/minimal equipment workouts. The workouts are dang hard but they’re effective. However, something about working out at home does not motivate me. I was better about it at the beginning of quarantine because working from home was a new thing; but now I’m over it and unmotivated. Getting super sweaty in my own home just doesn’t do it for me, which is why I’ve been slacking. That and I know Kayla is going to kick my butt! BUT, I need strength training as part of my workout routine to feel and look my best, so…hello, September!
Mental/Spiritual/Emotional Goals
Work on My French
You’ve probably realized by now that I’m a total nerd. I love to learn. I think French is a beautiful language (secretly I think this because it just sounds sexy) and I started learning it with Duo Lingo a few months ago. I’m hoping that if my French gets good enough, I can convince my husband we need a romantic France vacation in 2021.
Meditate Daily
I discovered Gabby Bernstein at the beginning of the year and fell in love with her outlook on spirituality. Her meditations have made such a difference in my outlook and overall mental health. My stress and anxiety levels have decreased significantly, too. However, I struggle to make meditation a daily habit. I can tell such a difference on days I meditate vs. those I don’t. In September, I want to focus on how I make meditation a daily practice and a permanent part of my daily routine.
Professional Goals
Keep a Clean Email Inbox
Anyone else feel like they get inundated with emails every single day? I get so many work emails it’s overwhelming sometimes. I’ve figured out how to keep my eye on the important ones and “save” others for later. However, when I end each day with zero unread emails in my inbox, I feel so much better. I feel on top of my projects, clear-headed for what I need to tackle the next day and overall less stressed and anxious. I’ve gotten away from this habit recently, but I want to pick it back up!
Personal Goals
Create and Stick to a Cleaning Calendar
One of my friends told me her house is immaculate because she picks one cleaning to-do each day and knocks it out after work. That sounds so much easier to keep up with AND more appealing because I’d rather carve out a little bit of time than a chunk of my weekend for cleaning. This month, I want to look at what “chores” need to be done on a weekly basis and assign days of the week for each of them. This part I’m not worried about. The challenge is going to be following the cleaning calendar!
The good news is that we’re visiting my parents right now, and I cannot leave town without my house being clean. So at least I’m starting the month with a clean slate!
Is anyone else into setting monthly goals? If so, what are you focusing on for September? If not, what’s stopping you? I’d love to know your thoughts and process, or what’s holding you back! Contact me, here.
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