I can't believe we're one-fourth of the way through 2021. It feels like we were just ringing in the New Year!
At the end of each quarter, I like to check in on my goals for the year. I've been doing this process since 2019 and I've found it to be really helpful! I write down successes, challenges, and my next steps.
Wellness
Goal: Create functional morning and evening routines
This quarter I filled out the morning and evening routine worksheets from The Bliss Bean. I added a timestamp for each step. I plan on sharing my routines in their own blog posts!
I created my morning routine in February and did a decent job at sticking to it. I felt energized and unrushed.
Then came March and it all fell apart. A packed schedule, poor sleep, and Purpose Institute deadlines interrupted my routine.
This is why I need an evening routine. Recently, I heard someone say that your evening influences your morning. This past month showed me the truth of that statement. If I don't have a good night's rest, I won't follow my morning routine.
I'm only a few days into my evening routine, so I think it's going to be a nice way to relax.
Spiritual
Goal: Memorize a verse a week
I only "memorized" 4 verses this quarter. I used quotes because those four verses are ones I already were pretty familiar with.
To memorize, I would spend around 10-15 minutes studying the verse using SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer). Then I would write the verse on a flashcard and read it aloud several times until I could say it without looking.
Since I finally completed my chronological Bible plan, I will use part of my morning devotion time to memorize.
Creative
Goal: Write the second draft of my book
I took a bit longer break from my draft than I anticipated, but it was good. I printed off my draft and read through it in February, taking copious notes. I was actually still really happy with what I had written but I know that I still have a lot of work to do.
I outlined my draft and broke each chapter down into its beats and scenes. My outline will help me fill the narrative gaps and rework the timeline of events. The climax of my story aligns with the start of the Franco-Prussian War in July of 1870.
But before I do that, I need to do all the research I didn't do!
Things I need to research include the Franco-Prussian War, the political, social, and economic climate of Europe/German states in the early 1870s, the roles of kings and princes, and probably Prussia. My story involves a conspiracy plot but I don't know what that conspiracy plot is yet! I'm hoping my research will make that clear.
I also need to create a name for my fictional German kingdom, along with a layout of the capital city. I think I'm going to base the capital off of Lüneburg, which is where I studied abroad.
Personal
Goal: create a budget to pay off student loans
In my 2021 goals post, I said that I would find a new budgeting system in quarter one. That did not happen. I would periodically check my spending on my Chase app, but I don't like how they categorize certain purchases (Target is rarely ever groceries).
One financial accomplishment was paying off my car Ventress! It feels great to have one less outstanding loan, even if the loan was from my dad. I also continued paying the minimum monthly payment for my Wells Fargo loan.
2021 has gotten off to a fairly decent start. I've realized that I might have overestimated my goals this year (I still have eight other goals I don't share on the blog), especially as I've been working more. It'll take some refocusing and reprioritizing, which is what these quarterly check-ins are all about.
Comments