Lifestyle Goals: Monthly Review for July 2019

At the start of May I decided to change the way I want to monitor my short and medium term goals, choosing to adopt Bless' approach in my search for a balanced life; this is Bless' explanation:

 .... my monthly balanced life goals are similar to the spokes of a wheel, with the length of each spoke representing my satisfaction in that area of my life, from 1 to 10, with 1 being most dissatisfied and 10 being most satisfied.  Ideally, all the spokes are of equal length and the wheel will roll along smoothly.  If the spokes are of unequal lengths, then, the resulting wheel will be lop-sided and wobbly.  My current ratings for each segment are shown within the parentheses.  

This month I have rewritten my goals to conform with the requirements of goal mapping so have worded my goals as if I have already achieved them.  I have also added two new goals this month.

So after all that here is my update for July, stating my goals and the bullet-pointed task list that I'll tackle in August to help achieve the goal. Last month's ratings and tasks are shown in black and the start of the current month is shown in yellow.

HOME (8.5)(8.5)

Goal: The home is always clean and tidy.

I still have the final bits of decluttering to deal with and then I will have achieved the current goal. With the help of a cleaner and minimum effort from me the 'clean' requirement has already been met but the pile of things still to leave the house means the 'tidy' element is still somewhat lacking!

Tasks for July:

• place advert to sell the doll's house and accessories - ACHIEVED, advert has been placed but waiting for a buyer
• sort through remaining boxes and donate/dispose/sell contents as appropriate - STARTED
• take books to charity shop and bags to skip - ACHIEVED
• daily tasks = washing up and tidying living room before going up to bed - ACHIEVED

Tasks for August:

• hang pictures in upstairs rooms 
• buy large throws for living room
• daily tasks = washing up and tidying living room before going up to bed

GARDEN (7.5)(9.5)

Goal: The garden is always tidy and presentable

The garden is nearly finished for now, as much as a garden is ever finished! I just need to finish clearing the centre bed and then I have almost achieved my current goal. It's easy to maintain and I can easily keep on top of what needs to be done to keep it looking tidy and presentable. I have no plans to change this goal at the moment but at some stage there will be a lot more planting.

Tasks for July:

• finish laying the membrane and gravel in the back garden if not completed on 30/06/2019 - ACHIEVED, thanks to help from my nephew.
• stay on top of weeding/dead heading as necessary - ACHIEVED
• water garden regularly during sunny spells - ACHIEVED

Tasks for August:

• stay on top of weeding/dead heading as necessary
• water garden regularly during sunny spells
• finish clearing the centre bed

FINANCE (10)(10)

Goal: I am financially secure and remain completely debt free

Tasks for July:

• continue to monitor spending and reduce expenditure where possible - ACHIEVED

Tasks for August:

• continue to monitor spending and reduce expenditure where possible
• set up a regular saving account for holiday and travel

COMMUNITY, FRIENDS & FAMILY (7.5)(9)

Goal: I take an active role in my local community, and have strong bonds with family and friends

As I live alone, it is very important to maintain social 'out of the house' interaction with others and I'm constantly looking for new ways to achieve this, particularly for day time activities.

Tasks for July:

• continue voluntary work with the youth band - ACHIEVED, ongoing
• arrange to meet up with Julie and Lauren during the month - ACHIEVED, collected Lauren from her work and spent an hour with her, and met Julie for an evening out
• try to meet at least one adult band member socially - ACHIEVED, met S for coffee, and C for a chat

Tasks for August:

• continue voluntary work with the youth band
• try to meet at least one adult band member socially  

EMOTIONAL WELL BEING (8)(9)

Goal: I have a positive outlook on life and am benefiting by avoiding bouts of depression and keeping my emotional well being at a healthy level

I am a 'glass half full' type of person for the most part but it never hurts to remind myself of all the good things I have in my life.

Tasks for July:

• write a Reasons to be Cheerful post for my blog - ACHIEVED for June and July
• actively correct any negative thoughts - 90% SUCCESSFUL

Tasks for August:

• write a Reasons to be Cheerful post for my blog
• actively correct any negative thoughts
• complete a daily joyful activity

HEALTH & FITNESS (7)(7)

Goal: I lead an active life, benefiting from increased fitness and improvements in my general health

This is the one area of my life currently giving me cause for concern and I'm in a sort of holding pattern until I see the heart specialist in September. 

Tasks for July:

• keep all medical appointments in July - ACHIEVED
• try to be more active, i.e. activities that are extra to my usual routine - 40% SUCCESSFUL
• 8 hours sleep every night - 90% SUCCESSFUL

Tasks for August:

• keep all medical appointments in August
• go for a short walk at least three times a week

HEALTHY EATING (8)(8)

Goal: I eat sensibly and healthily and am benefiting by losing weight and experiencing increased energy levels

I'm currently following the Slimming World eating plan but the introduction of a new medication means that my weight loss has, for the time being, plateaued so I will also doing a bit of calorie counting as well.

Tasks for July:

• meal planning, concentrating on SW friendly dinners - ACHIEVED BUT WILL BE ONGOING, 
• drinking 4 glasses of water a day - ACHIEVED
• restrict the number of takeaways and meals out - COMPLETE FAIL ... let's move quickly past this one!

Tasks for August:

• meal prep - trying a new to me way of planning and preparing for meals
• drinking 4 glasses of water a day
• restrict the number of takeaways and meals out

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL (7.5)(7)

Goal: I live life now, in the moment, and avoid putting things off. I decide what I want to achieve and I do it!

I need to focus more on this goal. I have lists and lists of ideas but actually follow through and do a very small percentage of things I know I'd enjoy.

Tasks for July:

• aim to do 3 new to me things during the month - ARRANGED THREE THINGS BUT ONLY COMPLETED ONE- the other two planned activities were cancelled by the organisers 
• daily piano practice - 75% SUCCESSFUL
• arrange two diary dates for every week in July to meet with friends -ACHIEVED

Tasks for August:

• 3 day trips during the month
• regular music practice
• arrange two diary dates for every week in August to meet with friends

TIME MANAGEMENT (7)(7)

Goal: I make best use of my time to lead a full and productive life

I am the world's best procrastinator and life will be so much less stressful when I can turn this around. I have a daily routine of sorts but it needs tweaking!

Tasks for August:

• establish a week day routine, getting chores done in the morning to leave the rest of the day free
• keep all admin up to date

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS (6)(6)

Goal: I educate myself about the environmental crisis and make changes to my lifestyle to reduce my own carbon footprint.

I am on top of recycling but there is a lot more I can do to improve my own use of products and packaging.

Tasks for August:

• check every room in the house for packaged products
• identify options for buying alternative environmental friendly products
• reduce the amount of meat in my diet and opt for three meat free days a week

SUMMARY

I feel that I'm 'getting there'! I have that feeling that a life change is happening (in a good way), probably because the long term worries with house and garden are nearing an end and am already looking forward to a more stress free existence. 

I'll finish with today's photo ... the new red growth on the pieris.