Tools to Reach Goals

I’m a failure.  Well, when it comes to New Year Resolutions.  I never seem to achieve them.  It doesn’t matter what I do, I seriously fall flat on my face every time. 

SMACK. SMACK. SMACK.

Yep.  So, this year my resolution is not to fall. 

How I am I going to do that? 

Well, for one I’m not setting a New Year’s Resolution!  That’s right, I’m living on the wild side!  And it so freeing!

Resolutions are just words, for me.  Dreams, that have impossible deadlines. Wishes without a plan of action.

So, this year I’m setting goals.  Not one large lofty one.  But many small obtainable ones.

I’m still finalizing them and once they’ve been formulate…yes formulate…because these goals will have the systematic steps that I will need to reach them…I will let you all in on them. I’ll need you for accountability.

However, before I share all, I wanted to let you know of two tools that I will be using to keep me from falling flat on my face.

1. Tell Your Time – Is a fabulous e-book written by Amy Andrews, which is helping me to get the most out of my time.  Right now you can save $5 on your purchase by using the code CLEANSLATE. You can read my review here.
2. Motivated Moms Chore Planner  – This is another wonderful e-book created by Deann Polanco and Janet Russell.  This resource has been a life saver in keeping my home organized.  The e-book comes in a variety of formats, so you can choose the one that works best for you.  One thing extra that I love about it, is it has a daily bible reading.  Currently you can save $1 on your purchase by using the coupon code LLNOE.

What tools are you using to meet your goals this year?

The Battle For Order: Week 7

I'm here! I'm here! Better late then never!  It has been a crazy week!

• Sunday, a friend lost her husband to a heart attack at the age of 57.  It was a surprise and shock to all.  
• Monday was Labor Day and we had a big Family Event at church.  I am one of the actors for the children's ministry, so I was there all day with my fellow volunteers doing a skit every hour.  
• Tuesday we headed over to my sister's for the day to play.  
• Wednesday was the funeral. What a blessing to KNOW without a doubt, where he is and that his family will get to see him again. 
• Thursday and Friday, our dear friends moved into their new house.  The most exciting part is they now live across the street from us!  We spent a lot of time over there helping them get settled in to the new neighborhood.   

The hours in between were used to do daily chores...oh the always reoccurring mess.  One mess that I conquered this week was hidden behind the door of the linen closet.

It feels so good to have it organized and things put where they should go!  I am really looking forward to being able to pull things out without other things falling out.

As for Week 7's challenge, I plan to tackle the bathroom drawers and possibly the cabinets.  If you would like to see what others have been doing this week then check out Melinda's blog.

The Battle for Order: Week 6

Oh my, where has the week gone!  This pass week, I tackled my son's closet.  I had a lot to get rid of, donate, and just plain organize.

The thing about babies, is they out grow things so fast, as most of you know.  I had so much stuff that we weren't using anymore that needed to be either donated or packed away.  I had also receive quite a bit of clothes that my sister's boys wore that I needed to go through.

Then my mom, who has recently been cleaning out her cabinets, sent me a box of my old books for Lil'man.  Unfortunately, most of the books are not toddler material.  I have no problem reading them to him, but I didn't want him to have easy access where the books could easily be torn.  So, I needed a place to store these old books.  I, also wanted to store all the Tot School materials in his closet that I was collecting for him.  They have been cluttering my living room and even my recently cleaned mail station!  I couldn't let that happen!

All in all, I am very happy with how it all turn out.  I had to leave a few of the "baby items" on the very top shelf in his closet.  I, unfortunately, don't have a lot of storage space at my house and I want to hold on to it for when we have the next babe, whenever that may be.

Week 6 Challenge

This week I plan to tackle the linen closet many of you have already conquered! It seems to have gotten a little sloppy in there.  Things on shelves that should be in drawers, once folded items that seem to have lost their fold, and items that were "hidden" from company view, need to be put where they belong.

If you want to see what others have been organizing this week check out Melinda's blog.

The Battle for Order: Week 5

Last week, my goal was to tidy up the laundry room.  There really wasn't much to do, as far as organization.  It was just covered in clutter and the appliances need a good wipe down.  My husband swept and knocked down the cobwebs.  Cleaning and straighten my laundry room, really made me a little envious of all the "pretty" laundry rooms that I have been seeing posted in OOC.  I would love to have actual walls and a tile floor.  I would love to be able to paint walls and not see pipes.  At the same time, I am gently reminded about my blessings.  God has blessed me with a laundry room. I don't have to haul my clothes to a laundry mat and sit away from my comfy home, while my clothes are cleaned.   He has given me a washer and dryer, neither of which we had to pay for.  God has provided me with water to keep my clothes clean.  So, here is my laundry room, a wonderful gift from God and I hope to treat it a little better...knowing how precious it is of a gift.

As for week 5, I am hoping to tackle my son's closet.  I want to pack away clothes that don't fit and empty bags of hand-me downs.  I hope to make room in his closet to store Tot School supplies.

If you want to see what other have been doing, then go check out Melinda's blog.

The Battle for Order: Week 4

My goodness are we already in week 4! I can't believe it! I really feel good about what I have accomplished. I know my projects have been small compared to others who are participating, but they are things that I have been on my list for a while, that I just kept pushing off. Like my coupon organization...it wasn't something that had to be done, but I am so glad that I finally did it. I want to send a BIG Thank You out to Melinda for starting this up, all you fellow soldiers & my blog readers for holding me accountable. If it weren't for you checking in on me, I probably wouldn't have accomplished anything.

Week 3- Completion

Check out my new coupon organization system. I think I like it.

As for Week 2 goal, I am still working on it. I don't want to reveal it until it is completely finished...and I still have a few things that I need to purchase. I am going to definitely be turning it into my Tot School area. So stay tuned...

Week 4 Challenge

For this week, I got my inspiration from Cindy and Amber. Really, my laundry room needs a good scrub down. One day, we might actually get around to adding tile and actual walls, but that cost money...and now that I am a SAHM it will have to go on the back burner.

Go check out what others have been doing this week.

The Battle for Order: Week 3

Alright, I have a confession...my week 2 goal was not finished. Before you gasp in shocked at my idleness, hear me out because I have a really good excuse. My brother and his two daughters showed up on Monday and of course being the procrastinator that I am, I hadn't started yet. Therefore, I selflessly, set aside my plans to better meet their needs and wants. I was, however, able to get some of the school junk essentials stuffed into the closet neatly put away.

I plan to continue to work on this goal this week by organizing my scrap booking stuff for easy access and setting up a small space for Tot School. I would love to add some cork board for showing off lil'man's creations. For those of you participating in Tot School, how do you set up your work space for you LO (little one)?

Oh, don't think I am stopping there. No, I will also be adding my coupon pile to the battle. I don't know about you, but my coupons are always expiring because I don't have a good filing system for them. I am hoping to use a binder or photo album system, instead of my throw them all in an envelope or re-print them again system. What do you use to organize your coupons? Any suggestions?

If you would like more organizational ideas, go check out Melinda's Blog and see what others have been organizing this pass week.

A Battle for Order: Week 2

So on to my next goal ...I am going to try to tackle an area in our basement. It is suppose to be my scrap booking area, but I may turn it into a Tot School area. I haven't decided just yet. As you can see below...it is a collection of random stuff that I brought home this summer from my classroom.

A Battle for Order: Week 1 Complete

Well, I have successfully completed my first goal in the The Battle for Order. I found a great website, BlissTree.com, that gave me an organization strategy for my "mail center." Using their system I was able to take care of the mess of papers that were cluttering the top of the desk.

I still need a few things to complete my "mail center dream," but I feel like I am off to a good start.

The Battle for Order

Ok, so I joined up. I am going to spend the next 8 weeks organizing/de-cluttering 8 areas in my home that need it. Areas that consistently get cluttered because its lacks a clear organizational plan. My goal for week one is my "so called" mail station. Basically, it is the spot we place the mail every day, so that every one gets a chance to look at it dump the mail and forget it.

Now, I am really putting myself out there...you see I don't want you to see what you are about to see. I would rather you think I have it all together. A matter of fact, I am so embarrassed that I am not going to post the pictures. Instead, I am going to make you follow a link. But, before I let you click on it, I want you to prepare yourself...it isn't pretty, a matter of fact its scary horrific. Alright, I think you have been pre-warned enough. 

So, here you go...(as I squint my eyes tightly to pretend you aren't there, observing my clutter) my mail station. Pretty isn't it? Oh, you realized that there was no link...ha, ha...silly me, you are smart...alright, alright already. I will show you my mess, but by clicking on the link you agree to keep this hush, hush...remember I am a SAHM who has it all together, my life is completely organized, my children always obey, my house is spotless and the laundry is always done. Click agree or disagree.