March Forth on March 4th

Today is March 4th and every year on this day I take a look back at my New Year Goals.  March 4th is a great day to "March Forth" and re-establish your goals, rethink your goals, celebrate your accomplishments and set new goals.  Many people make goals or resolutions on New Year's Day.  I think that those that practice that tradition should also add March 4th to their calendar as a check-point date.  Here's a look at my March Forth goals:

• Family dates - I'm going to set a date for My Farmer and I today for later this month.
• Me time - I have been enjoying sending things to friends and family members but need to be more consistent on waking up early.
• Journaling - I have been doing a good job of journaling as part of a Bible Study I'm in for myself but haven't been doing a good job of journaling for the kids.  Today I'll make an entry in their journals!
• Google + - I have been doing a good job of sharing on Google + but I'd still like to learn more about the social media.
• Comments for a Cause - It has been going great.  I could probably be a little better organized for it but overall I have been happy with the program.
• Getting together with Bloggers - I have gotten together with my local North Iowa group of bloggers once this year and we're getting together again next week.  I'm also hoping and planning on getting together with some Iowa "foodie" bloggers later this month and some Iowa bloggers next month.  I still haven't found a conference to go to yet that works well with my tractor schedule and travel budget but I still have hope!

Here's some inspirational music for all of you on this March 4th!

How are you going to celebrate March Forth?

Be sure to Comment for a Cause!

New Year. New Goals.

The New Year is a perfect time for a fresh start, a clean state, or a new beginning, and that is why so many people look forward to this day.  Some people transition into the New Year by declaring a resolution, making predictions, choosing three words to live by or doing nothing.  For me, I set goals.

Goals are great because they help you think thoroughly through your ideas.  I can't help but think of making goals for 4-H in my youth when I write down my goals every New Year.  A goal must contain 1) the action, 2) the result, and 3) the timetable.

New Year.  New Goals:

• My goal is for our family to go on dates with each other, My Farmer and I, My Farmer and LP, My Farmer and MP, LP and I, and MP and I, four times each this year.
• My goal is to create more me time by waking up at 6:30 am daily to do things I find enjoyable.  I will also plan on connecting with friends by doing something special for a friend monthly.
• My goal is to preserve memories and special dates for my children by journaling in specific journals for each kid.  I will keep the journals in my office where they are easy to get to.  I will plan on journaling at least once a month.
• My goal is to promote my blog more by sharing each post on Pinterest and Google+.  
• My goal is to start a Comments for a Cause program by choosing a new organization monthly to donate 50 cents for each blog comment to.
• My goal is to attend a blogging conference or gathering by the end of the year to help me learn more about blogging and make more blogger connections.  I will ask other bloggers what conferences they recommend to help me determine which one to attend.

Happy New Year everyone!  What do you do to transition in the New Year?

2013 Blog Goals

Besides my New Year Resolutions, I have also decided to create some blog goals.  I hope these things will make me not only a better blogger, but that it will also build my audience and outreach.

1. Blog Regularly.  Last year I set a goal of blogging at least three times a week.  I am going to work towards that goal again this year.
2. Promote More Through Social Media.  This year I'm going to look into sharing my blog through more social media avenues and on a more regular basis.  Currently I send out one tweet and one Facebook post per blog post.  In 2013, I'd like to experiment with tweeting posts out more than once, possibly creating a Facebook page for my blog, look into utilizing Pinterest more, and share on LinkedIn when appropriate.
3. Comment On Other Blogs.  This year I am going to make a goal of commenting on three blogs per week, including commenting on a new blog once a month.  
4. Enhance SEO.  In February I will be attending the regional Ag Chat Foundation conference in Rochester, Minnesota.  One of the break-out sessions I'm looking forward to the most is tips on Search Engine Optimization (SEO).  I know this is something I need to work on for my blog.
5. Utilize Followers.  This year I want to explore ways of utilizing my followers.  This could mean having guest bloggers, or guest blogging myself on others' blogs.

Here's to a great year of blogging!  Do you blog?  What are your goals for this year?

Me with Darcy Maulsby and Heather Lilienthal at the #140ConfAgIowa
Some great #AgNerd friends I have gained through blogging

March Forth

Today is March 4th so I have decided to March Forth with some goals and regain some focus for this year.  This year I'd like to focus on my relationships.

• My relationship with God.  My faith is very important to me.  I want to make sure that my faith doesn't become routine.  I share my faith with my family and youth group, but I'd like to share it more with friends.  I'm going to think of more ways I can do more evangelicalism.
• My relationship with My Farmer.  My husband and I have a great relationship but it can always strengthen.  A fun way I'm going to do this is by doing a 30 Day Marriage Challenge.  This challenge involves doing things from hugging My Farmer three times in a day, to praying for wisdom in being a wife, to going a whole day without correcting my husband.
• My relationship with LP.  By staying at home with LP I have a lot of time with him, but I want to make sure my "quantity" doesn't lack "quality."  I am also going to focus on helping him learn and develop by doing different activities together.
• My relationship with myself.  I want to be sure not to forget myself in the hustle and bustle of life.  I need to give myself some time off.  I also need to make sure I'm getting the correct amount of sleep at night, as well as eating well.

How are you going to March Forth for the rest of the year?