Goal Review: October 2013

Goals . . . huh? Did I set goals? Oh yeah. I did. And surprise, surprise, they did not all happen.

But I figured out why: I was not specific enough. Hence this list:

1. Do not waste time on my computer.

Um, hum. I have to say that most of the time my laptop is on I am working or doing homework. But I’m still on it more than I’d like.

2. Work on my prayer life.

I did make progress here. Yay! I’m doing adoration once a week and 40 Days for Life prayers (with a chaplet of divine mercy) everyday. It’s wonderful. I’m also working on “On Heaven and Earth” by Pope Francis which is beautiful. Praying and focusing on God’s will makes me such a better person.

3. Exercise 3 times a week.

I have been exercising (inconsistently) almost 3 days a week. We did it MWF a couple weeks and then got thrown off with always-changing schedules. But I have a fabulous playlist that we blast, and it’s fun.

4. Eat healthy(ish).

The cafeteria is trying to be healthy this year, but the food is not different. They just serve you teeny portions. This one is not too hard for me, though, because I feel like this when I’m not eating well:

No I don’t quite feel like an over-sized and creepy slug man sleazebag. But you get the picture. Eating poorly makes me feel gross, and I know that, so I do an okay job of eating fine. *Not counting my Nutella consumption*

5. Publish 5 articles with Live Action.

Fail. I published one. This goal kills me because I have several articles I want to write but just have to make the time.

6. Start a list of potential employers for next summer.

I’m still throwing around ideas about where I want to go with my work next summer: stay home, go to an internship, pro-life, or business experience? I’ve been trying to set up a meeting with the person on campus who does things like this and helps students find jobs, but haven’t heard back about it yet.

7. Think about writing a book.

I certainly thought about it, but no more than that.

8. Figure out a process for keeping track of homework.

I write each homework assignment on a sticky note and put it on the side of my dresser. Then when it’s done I tear it up. The only problem is when I forget to put it up there and it’s only in my notes and I forget to check those….

9. Devote one hour a day to diligent homework.

No comment.

We talked about setting S.M.A.R.T. goals in my management class recently, and it makes sense. Obviously. Lots of smart and professional people use this. I’ll definitely keep it in mind more as I continue trying to be a better person through goal setting. Here’s what it stands for:

Here are my October 2013 goals:

1. Continue going to 40 Days for Life prayers everyday.

2. Go to daily Mass twice a week: Tuesday and Thursday.

3. Go to Latin Mass in Kansas City.

4. Do not dilly-dally on social media when there is homework to be done.

5. Finish “On Heaven and Earth”

6. Exercise 3 times a week. No excuses.

7. Publish 5 articles with Live Action.

8. Set up that meeting to figure out more of where I want to go with next summer’s work.

9. Devote a solid hour with no breaks to diligent homework each day – more as necessary.

10. Start sidewalk counseling.

11. Get the “Pillar of Inspiration” set up so I can go stare at it when I want to procrastinate or work on a project that is not extremely important.

12. Keep adding to my prayer intention booklet and become a prayer warrior for people. Let me know if you have someone (or something) or a specific intention you’d like me to add.

13. Read Lumen Fidei.