Recently I have seen a lot of bloggers blog about their goals for the month. So, not to be a copy cat, but I loved the idea so much, that I made myself some goals for the month of June. I may not have crossed every single one off, but I can honestly say that it really helped me stay on track and helped to get things done for the month. The summer seems to go by so fast, that it's important to make sure that you are getting everything done that you need to in the short amount of time that you do have! Everyone says to me, "You're so lucky that you get the summer off" ... If you call shooting and editing weddings, managing my business, tutoring, babysitting, and all of the other various things that I do "off" then, yes, I do get the summers off. But, let me just tell you that even though it's incredibly nice to have a change of a pace, and a bit of different schedule throughout June and July, I am still working full time, running around like a crazy woman trying to get everything done! So, setting goals is a great way to help me stay focused, get things done, and keep a balanced life. When you set your goals, you need to make sure that you have a wide-variety of goals you want to achieve - personal goals, work goals, to-do list goals, etc. I always make it a point to add one or two "me" goals, which include pampering myself or being healthy or reading a book ... whatever it might be!
Since I loved my June goals so much, I spent the morning thinking about and writing about my July goals, and oh boy, is there a lot to get done in this month! Before I dive into my July goals, I'm just going to go over my June goals so you all can see what I accomplished!
Here they are:
June Goals:
#1 - Read 1 book & 2 magazines
Have I ever mentioned that I have a reading problem? I read so, so many books all of the time that I never dive into the stack of magazines that I have piled up on my coffee table. So last month I wanted to limit the number of actual books I read to only one, which was super hard for me! But that's what I did! I read ONE book, and spent the rest of my "reading" time looking through the wonderful magazines that I subscribe to! They really are great reads so it was exciting to get through a couple of magazines and decrease the load on my coffee table :) The book I did read was The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. I'm sure you have heard about this WONDERFUL book since the movie just came out, which is exactly why I wanted to read it. I always like to read the book before the movie comes out. The book was incredible to say the least. It's an easy and quick read that will have you bawling your eyes out by the end of it. You fall in love with the characters and it's such an inspiring read! After I finished it, I had to stop myself from immediately starting the whole thing over again. Okay, I may have gone back and read the first chapter again, but I didn't let myself re-read the whole thing! Yes, it really is that good! And after reading the book, which my sister read at the same time, we went to see the movie! We thought it would be fun to go on a double date so we dragged our boys along as well. Cameron, my sister's fiancé, loved the movie (but he's always been a chick flick fan), but Brandon, on the other hand, slept through most of it! Can you believe that?! Yes, SLEPT through it! I had to shake him every couple of minutes to keep him from SNORING! How dare he! I bring him to a nice movie, and that's what I get in return!
#2 - Finish grad school!
Yes, you read that right! I technically "graduated" in May, but the program I was in, required us to take one more online research class before we actually get our diplomas. It was the silliest thing ever, and I felt like I was done because I walked at graduation, but I really wasn't done yet. Until now! I submitted my VERY LAST paper on Saturday. Boy, does it feel GREAT!
#3 - Do something healthy and active everyday
Whether it was stretching, going to yoga, swimming some laps, running, or doing a Tone It Up workout, I made sure to do something active everyday in the month of June! There might have a been a couple of expectations, but for the most part, I stuck with it!
#4 -Crack down on triathlon training
This goal went along with #3, and my sis and I had all the right intentions for doing a triathlon. We even started going to swim lessons, made a training schedule, and signed up for an outdoor swim clinic. But that is where our triathlon hopes ended for this year. We (and by "we" I mean "I") had a bad experience at this swim clinic. Besides the FREEZING cold water (yes, I'm a water wimp), it was one of the hardest things I have EVER done! Holy shmoly! Having never really swam before, we decided we should probably learn how to swim before committing to a triathlon. The swim clinic made us realize that we need to be REALLY comfortable in the water so that's what we are going to do! We are going to keep at it with swim lessons and training, and will hopefully do a triathlon next summer instead!
#5 - Stay on top of photo editing
Summer time gets a little bit crazy with all of the weddings, family shoots, engagement sessions, and everything else that comes my way in regards to photography. Staying on top of photo editing is a MUST! The last thing I want is to start the school year with a handful of shoots to still get through. I'd say that I did pretty well in the month of June, but come July, I'm going to need to spend every spare moment that I have editing!
If you missed the latest wedding I finished, click here!
#6 & #7 - I can honestly say I did not do. Let's be honest, #7 I probably will not get to over the summer. Those are things I would LOVE to do, but will probably not happen. #6 I'm adding to my July list because that has to get done!
#8 - Get a pedicure!
I got a pedicure on a lovely afternoon with my sister, and even used a gift card that I got from one of kindies at the end of the school year. It was delightful!
Now, I'm onto my July goals! This month I am going to be one busy bee! The goal list as well as the to-do list is long! Here it goes:
#1 - Prepare for teaching!
This is a goal that is both SUPER exciting but also really overwhelming at the same time! Heading into my first year of teaching, there is SO much to do! I'm not even sure where to begin with this one, but since this is my last month before school starts, I've got to get on it. I have piles of teaching stuff all over my tiny apartment ... I need to get organized, get the keys to my classroom, set up my classroom, plan, prepare, and the list goes on!
#2 - Deep clean apartment
This also is a must! My apartment is always clean, but it could use a deep scrubbing!
#3 - Clean out closet and desk
This was carried over from June, but this also must get done this month! I do not want to start out the school year with a messy desk or closet. A clean home will help me feel like I have it together :)
#4 - Renew Lease
#5 - Update website
I haven't added new photos to my website since last FALL! Oh how I have really fallen behind! I would love to get my website updated before the crazy year starts!
#6 - Stay on top of photo editing
Another must! With a wedding to edit plus another wedding that I'm photographing this weekend plus another wedding scheduled in August, staying on top of my editing will be essential!
#7 - Go on 1 photo adventure
With SO many shoots throughout the summer, taking pictures for just myself seems to always fall to the back burner. But, this month, I'm determined to spend some time taking photographs for just me! (This might even happen this coming weekend! We will see!)
#8 & #9 - Spend more time outdoors & go to the pool at least 3 times
It's summer after all! Why did I spend so much of June cooped up indoors?? I've only been to the pool ONE time (2 if you count the day I spent at the pool with girls I babysit for), and I'm determined to get my money's worth out of my apartment pool! Call me up if you want a pool day!
#10 - Read 1 book + lots of magazines
This was on my June list, but I liked it so I'm adding it again! I'm currently reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak which will be the one book I finish in July, and then I'm determined to get through the handful of Nat Geo's that are sitting around the house :)
There you have it! 10 goals for the month! What are your goals for July? I'll check back in August with how I did this month!