Lifestyle Goals | Monthly Review for February 2020

Here is my update for February, stating my goals and the bullet-pointed task list that I'll tackle during the month to help achieve the goal. Last month's ratings are shown in black and the start of the current month is shown in yellow.

My goal is to achieve a lifestyle where I can honestly say that I LIVE A FULFILLED LIFE [7][8.5]. To achieve this I want to focus on the sub-goals shown in bold text. 

These are the sub-goals where I have achieved the maximum rating. Each sub-goal still requires a degree of effort to maintain that rating but I feel I have developed the habits to support this.

• I am financially secure and am completely debt free [10][10]
• I take an active role in my local community, and have strong bonds with family and friends [10][10]
• My home is always clean and tidy [10][10]
• 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 [10][10]
• I eat sensibly and healthily and am benefiting by losing weight and experiencing increased energy levels [10][10] 

I have revised my ratings on the following sub-goals:

• I strive to remove my attachment to material things [7.5][8.5] I have made good progress during February, disposing of the audio and video equipment, as well as numerous books, games, and craft items. More importantly I realise that my feelings about the ownership of so many items has changed and I am finding it much easier to let things go. I can see the results of my efforts in terms of cleared spaces from the decluttering, and I feel much 'lighter' as a result.
• I make best use of my time to lead a full and productive life [7][8] I've started to follow a better routine through the week which has helped and, unusually for me, I haven't been procrastinating about getting things done. 
• I live life now, in the moment [6][7] As the month has progressed I've made significant progress in focusing on a single task/activity and trying to get the most from it. It doesn't always work but I am getting better at it and as a result I have experience a marked increase in satisfaction/enjoyment levels when my focus has been on enjoying the moment.

The ratings haven't changed for the following sub goals and are the ones that require improvement. 

• My garden is always tidy and presentable [8][8]
• I lead an active life, benefiting from increased fitness and improvements in my general health [8][8] 

My focus word for 2020 is simplify and I am starting by working my way through the house to remove excess, unused, and unwanted items. My SMART tasks (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely) are all to do with simplifying life: 

My SMART tasks for February are:

1. Meal plan for the next four weeks - by February 7th 2020 - ACHIEVED
2. Spring clean the living room - by February 29th 2020 - ACHIEVED
3. Reorganise the cupboards in the playroom - by February 29th 2020 - ACHIEVED
4. Declutter five items - by February 29th 2020 - ACHIEVED, 52 items sold, 2 car loads to the skip, 50+ items to the autism charity and 20+ items to the charity shop
5. Source a gardener and prepare one area of the back garden - by February 29th 2020 - 50% SUCCESSFUL. I haven't found anyone to do the gardening for me but have found a couple of people who will advise what needs to be done and how to do it, and have also sourced a series of 'gardening how to' workshops close to home. I did clear two pots though!

My SMART tasks for March are:

1. Meal plan and bulk cook, taking account of the transition to the new style eating plan - by March 31st 2020
2. Complete weeks 2 - 5 of Bless' cleaning rotation - by March 28th 2020
3. Reorganise the cupboards in the music room - by March 31st 2020
4. Advertise remaining items for sale - by March 31st 2020
5. Review January and February spending - by March 31st 2020