Goals | July

So, I'm really getting good at the whole posting-my-monthly-goals-a-week-into-the-new-month thing. But, you know what? Better a week into the month, than not at all!

Admittedly, summer is a crazy time of year to try to maintain any sort of normal life schedule, because it feels like this photo...something's always moving, and routines get a little blurry.

Granted, EVERY time of the year is a little crazy, but summer especially brings things like "wedding season", "vacation" and "friend's wedding" to the table. All of which have happened recently or are still happening now or WILL be happening soon. It's not an excuse, but it's a little bit of an explanation as to why I'm having a harder time than some of the previous months with not only keeping track of my goals, but accomplishing them. Nevertheless, it's humbling and motivating to continue to share my progress (or lack thereof) and to maintain HAVING goals, even when the going gets tough. So, here's a recap of last month:

PERSONAL GOALS

• Continue working out at least 4 times a week (The only exception, I believe, was when my sister and cousin were visiting...)
• Brainstorm and accomplish another for-the-apartment decorative project (It ended up being just ordering, framing and hanging some prints for the living room - but it's something!)
• Make 2-3 meals per week, without Aaron's help (I may not have COMPLETELY hit this, but I've been doing a good job!)
• Invite friends over for dinner at least once
• Have girl time with at least 4 different friends in person
• Call or hand-write at least 2 far-away girlfriends
• Mail the last Thank-You's
• Order Wedding Album! (YAAAY! Finally!)
• Make more progress catching-up on personal photo editing & uploading
• Work on organizing iTunes & all Music folders on computers
• Sort through all clothes & shoes and get rid of some!
• Shoot just for fun at least 3 times

BUSINESS GOALS

• Make detailed weekly to-do lists
• Total all receipts/costs from May - June
• Add mileage for both cars from June
• Blog at least 2 times a week (still/always trying this!)
• Finish researching and choose a company for online backup & off-site storage!
• Finish researching laptops/desktop monitors
• Purchase new laptop (So close! Just haven't done it, yet....)
• Edit 2 - 3 weddings
• Submit 1 - 2 weddings for publication
• Attend 1 seminar/conference

Not bad results, overall, but can you tell my downfall for business goals are the no-fun tax related kinds of things? Siiiigh. I really need to get better at staying up-to-date on my receipts and such, because it would just make the end of the year that much easier. I have good systems in place for gathering and keeping all of the needed info, I just need to sit down and total it up more frequently. Hence, this month's goals!

PERSONAL GOALS

• Continue working out at least 4 times a week
• WATCH LINDSEY & MARK GET MARRIED! (This already happened, but it WAS in July... :)
• Brainstorm and accomplish another for-the-apartment decorative project
• Continue cooking for Aaron, but try as least 2 brand new recipes
• Have girl time with at least 4 different friends in person
• Call or hand-write at least 2 far-away girlfriends
• Mail the last Thank-You's!
• Make more progress catching-up on personal photo editing & uploading
• Work on organizing iTunes & all Music folders on computers
• Sort through all clothes & shoes and get rid of some!
• Shoot just for fun at least 3 times
• Start reading at least one book

BUSINESS GOALS

• Make detailed weekly to-do lists
• Total all receipts/costs from May - July
• Add mileage for both cars from June - July
• Blog at least 2 times a week (still/always trying this!)
• Finish researching and choose a company for online backup & off-site storage!
• Purchase new laptop!
• Edit 1 - 2 weddings
• Shoot 2 weddings
• Submit 1 - 2 weddings for publication
• Set aside weekly time to think about and brainstorm ways to improve and grow business practices

The rest of this month is pretttty busy with shooting and traveling, but I'm truly going to aim high and seek to achieve as much as possible. Wish me luck and tell me what YOU hope to accomplish this month!