(Goals} January In Review

When 2015 started, I set some serious goals. I decided 2015 was gonna be a big, awesome year for me. A month into the new year and I wanted to share my progress with you. I had a really great month, though I didn't achieve all my goals. Let's start with the wins.

Increase my freelance work: I have another new writing gig, this one for Care. com. I also picked up some design work, which is going to be so much fun. I love filling the free pockets of my life with creating.

Connect with friends and people I love  via Mail Monday: This is one I'm super happy and excited about. Every week in January I made time to write and send notes to friends and family around the country (and Canada). Some weeks, I did it on Monday as the name Mail Monday would imply. Some weeks the letters didn't make it into the post until Thursday. But they made it, and that's what matters. I excited to use up more of all that cute stationary I've been saving up for something special.

Paint five days a week: Man, this was the goal I didn't really expect to make happen, but once I started carving out some time most nights to paint, I created some awesome momentum. The second half of the month I managed to paint every, single day and it was AWESOME. I created a couple of painting I really love.

Write 500 words a day: I didn't write 500 words every day, but I  did write most days and some days I wrote three times that, so in the end I dedicated a great deal of time and focus to writing, which was the ultimate goal. I feel like the words are coming faster and easier now that I'm back to writing more regularly.

Bi-monthly date nights with Mike: We had one date in January, which isn't the two I hoped for. But one is better than none, right? I already have one date planned for February and am working on a second. I think the key to making this happen is making a date plan super early in the month. We're both busy and need to make an effort to schedule time, so any advance notice we can give each other is greatly appreciated.

Here are my "sorta" wins:

Write a children’s book: I wrote absolutely nothing for my book, but I did research for it. The next step is an outline. I need to get this done before I actually start writing.

Monthly family activity: We did a few different "fun" things as a family this month, but I credit my sister for making those things happen. She came for a visit and that motivated me to get off my butt and make a plan for play and exploration. This month we don't have any visitors, so I'll need to find my motivation elsewhere.

And then there are the total fails:

Wake up at 5 a.m. daily to have a Miracle Morning: I was on such a role with this last year. Then I stopped and haven't been able to get back at it. I blame winter and the dark, cold mornings. Without the sun pulling me out of bed, I've struggled. I'm recommitting to this goal for February.

Exercise regularly (a mile most days, plus yoga): I haven't been feeling great, though I'm on the mend. I have been having the hardest time finding any motivation to exercise, which means I need to exercise more than anything .. but still, I don't. I've been trying to be kind to myself and focus on getting at least 10,000 steps in. Most days I do. I'm hoping February I can get moving again.

Get the kids involved in a sport: I made absolutely NO progress on this one. I need to take Shelby to the YMCA for a abilities test before we can move forward and I haven't had time. February I need to make time for this and get her swimming.

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Looking at this list, I'm happy to say I've had a lot more wins than anything else. Each day I've made little steps towards achieving my goals. They aren't big steps, but slow and steady will carry me through until the end of the year.

What are you goals for 2015? Are you making the progress you're hoping for? Any tips for me to help me stay on track?