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

New Year Resolutions

Happy New Year!  I figure today is a great day to get back on track and get organized for the year.  This year I have made New Year Resolutions related to being a better Mom and Wife.

1. Wake-up Early.  I always feel good and better prepared for the day when I wake up early.  So this year I have set a goal of waking-up early each morning so I get a good start to my day.  (This will also give me more time to get things done before LP wakes up!)
2. Go To Bed Earlier.  Now in order for me to wake-up earlier, I need to go to bed earlier.  I have to admit I find myself staying up way too late pretty much doing nothing.  So this year my goal will be to go to bed at a decent time.
3. Do One Complete Load Of Laundry Daily.  I have to admit, sometimes I get behind on laundry.  This doesn't work well when we go through so many clothes between chore clothes and nice clothes.  So I feel if I get one complete load of laundry done each day I should be able to give my family clean clothes to wear.  (Plus, My Farmer and I are expecting in June 2013 so I'll have even more laundry to take care of!)
4. Do A House Walk-Through Every Night.  This house "walk-through" will involved doing the dishes, picking up toys, cleaning-up the bathroom, etc.  I know this will make me feel better before going to bed and in the morning when I wake-up if I do these simple things each night.
5. Not To Say YES Immediately.  I've always had a problem with saying "yes" too fast shall we say.  In this New Year I need to prioritize my time and activities better, especially with MP (Mini-Plagge) arriving this spring.

To be a better Mom for LP

To be a better Wife for My Farmer and
To be a good Mom to MP (you can start to see a bump)

I hope you all have a great New Year and that you can keep your resolutions and goals, just like I'm planning and striving to do!