The Importance of Goal Setting + More Personality Talk

For years, I've struggled with why I sometimes thrive with structure and routine, and while at other times it seems that it is the very thing that leads to burnout. Since taking the time to learn more about my personality (ENFP/Type 9), I've found out something fairly shocking:

I am not an organized person by nature. But, I thrive on goals.

This would make my husband shake his head at me (I'm often told I'm too organized or too structured, etc.). It sounds like a complete oxymoron, right?

Yet, upon exploring more about what makes me tick as an ENFP, I've learned two things: a) I can be a bit scattered and b) I can easily be organized. 

Case in point: If I tell myself I need to clean out the closet, but don't set goals for it, it won't get done. It's a bit humbling, to say the least. On the other hand, if I tell myself that I need to clean out the closet and write a quick list of goals to help me carry out that task, I will have it done within a few hours.

Needless to say, creating goals, routines, and using a daily planner has changed my life. It helps to stay organized, which leads to thriving with my day to day life.

For me personally, I need a few simple boundaries: The morning hours are blocked off for work. Afternoon hours are blocked off for house cleaning. The kids nap time is for "me" time. I use a daily planner to remind myself of appointments, deadlines, etc. I also focus on 3-4 daily goals. By keeping my goals to a bare minimum, I'm less tempted to get carried away or overwhelmed. It also allows me to give 100% to whatever I'm focusing on. 

According to Small Biz Trends, "Set achievable goals, over small periods of time." Their argument was that it will help you stay motivated. I tend to agree.

Sometimes-- less really is more. 

What about you? How do you set goals? Do you find that goals and routines help you stay motivated? 

5 Scripture Memorization Goals

With Easter week half way through, I found myself being challenged to really know God's word. It is easy to sit down and read a verse or two. But, am I applying it? Am I saturing my soul with it? The simple answer was no, and so with my Bible, and journal in hand, I decided to remedy that. My goal is to focus the rest of the year on memorizing the following verses:

But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." 

Matthew 4:4

"He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 

1 John 4:8 

"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such there is no law." 

Galations 5:22-23

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 

2 Timothy 1:7

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." 

1 John 5:13

What verses have you memorized that comforts you?

Five Places I Want to Visit (Inspired By My Favorite Books)

I was browsing some of my favorite book memorbilia on Pinterest, when I realized that many of my dream vacations are inspired by my favorite books. Some of these places I've traveled to before, but I would love to visit them again now as an adult.

• Prince Edward Island -- This is hands down at the top of my list. Anne of Green Gables is probably one of the most beloved novels of all time. I read the books, watched the movies, devoured the show, and occasionally cooked up "anne inspired" recipes that I found online as a teenage girl. Even now, the movies bring back some of my fondest childhood memories. To walk the shore, and visit the house...well, that would just be amazing.
• Laura Ingalls Wilder Rocky Ridge Farm -- The Little House on The Prairie series was equally devoured by yours truly. I grew up watching the show each morning, and have read the books multiple times. I got to visit her farm as a child, but I would love to go back and visit as an adult. I may have already put the bug in my husband's ear. ;)
• Austenland -- Apparently, there's a cult brewing...and it's a unique one. There are Jane Austen inspired weekeneds & vacations modeled after the books. There are numerous opportunities, but this article shares more in depth information!
• Oh, Copperfield! -- I may be the only human on the planet that loved David Copperfield (even the most devout Dickens fans didn't like this novel), but for some reason, I found it to be a story that stood out in my mind all these years later. I remember reading it late into the night as a teenager. I'm also a huge fan of The Christmas Carol. Needless to say, visiting the Charles Dickens Museum would be a day in paradise for me!
• Last, but not least, I would love to visit the Hill Top home of the beloved Beatrix Potter. I loved her books, and still do. I'm slowly working on collecting all the sweet little novels for my girls to read one day.

If you could visit anywhere based on one of your favorite novels, where would you go?

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My One Word (for 2016)

I know the rest of the world blogged about choosing their "one word" at the beginning of the year, but I won't let my tardiness sway me from missing out on a personal challenge. I've clung to having a "one word" in many years past, and I didn't want this one to be an exception. Although, I must say being in the hospital with a pre-mature baby made my tardiness well worth it. ;)

For the last few years, my life verse has been 1 Thessalonians for multiple reasons...

• It reminds me to keep my tongue from wagging (mind my own business).
• It reminds me to work with my hands (laziness does not reflect well on my Lord)
• It reminds me to be quiet. Be still & KNOW the Lord.

I've read this verse so many times, that it often comes to me during times when I'm tempted to act out of character. When I'm tempted to slander. When I'm tempted to partake in the worlds view of what life should look like. I wish I could say having this verse has changed my life, and while it may have to some degree, I still have SO much to learn. 

I still yearn to live that verse out in my day to day life. I desperately want to work with my hands to honour God.  I desperately want to learn to mind my own business. And I desperately want to learn the art of quiet---I truly believe that is when we hear from the Lord the most. 

My goal with my one word is simple. To embrace a quiet life...

To spend more time reading God's word than focusing on the noise the world has to offer.

To spend more time praying for issues that He brings to mind.

To spend more time bring Him honour by working with my hands: baking bread, typing words, decorating my home, caring for my husband and children.