Let’s start at the very beginning.

A very good place to start.

Don’t worry.

I’m not going to rip down the curtains and sew outfits for my family or move to Austria to become a former nun.

I do love brown paper packages tied up with string, though.

What I’d like to do is take a moment to reflect.

I think it’s important to assess the damage “wonderful opportunities for growth” 2016 brought before making new goals for 2017.

2016 scared the sugar right out of me.

It’s a good thing I keep a healthy supply for emergencies.

It messed with my perfectly disconnected, going through the motions, stagnant daily life.

(It also reinforced why I don’t have Cable, but that’s another story.)

Last Year was all about stepping up, stepping out, and moving forward.

I launched the blog with this post, used a computer for more than email, Pinterest, and shopping on Amazon. (Oh, Prime two-day shipping. How I love thee.)

I connected more with other humans raised by humans (name that movie) than I have in… let’s just say “a while”.

My family put down roots in our new home and in the garden. (Anyone want some sweet potatoes? I’ve got plenty!)

I even took up the challenge and showed myself on Facebook Live.

I spent many mornings than I care to count wrecked with fear, doubt, and exhaustion.

My first blog post had 59 revisions and 370 words.

59!

I haven’t even changed my hair color, lipstick, or moved that many times.

I was busier than ever WHILE having nothing of great significance to show for it.

Is that a marketable skill? I should look into that.

My biggest takeaway from 2016 was that NOT succeeding at a goal is different from failing.

I’m an “all in” type of girl.

If I make cookies, I want them to be amazing.

If I make a quilt, I want it to come together seamlessly. (Get it?)

If I launch a blog because God pestered me one weekend in Nashville, I want it to be perfect.

When something doesn’t go right, my natural tendency is to throw up my hands, announce it’s Craptown USA and walk away.

Here’s a news flash.

Somebody who doesn’t know how to turn on the TV might have a bit of a learning curve when it comes to blogging. (God left that part out. RUDE.)

Did I want to give up.

YUP.

Just ask Sarah from 1915 House, she’ll tell you. (She’s allowed to share as long as it’s been approved per our friendship contract.)

Not reaching a goal, being honest about it, and asking others for help (or putting it aside) isn’t failing.

Do I preach to my kid ALL THE TIME that doing his best work is enough?

Absolutely.

Do I hands down, without a doubt believe it to be true for everyone else in this world?

100%

Did I believe it for myself?

Nope.

I told you I was a stubborn Ox!

This year, I’m looking at my goals differently.

I love what Laura Casey wrote on her blog about goals.

Set good goals.

Goals that go beyond the typical lose 10 lbs, go to the gym, make more money, reduce debt etc…

Small changes that affect the course of my year and help me make steady progress.

I want meaningful change.

Out of the 3 goals I have for 2017, the one I’ll be focused on is my morning routine.

I don’t have a problem waking up (unless I’ve been up all night revising a blog post 59 times) but I’m unorganized in creating a good morning workflow.

Also, focusing on mornings will help me take steps on 2 other goals, but those won’t happen if I don’t come up with a system that works consistently.

I’ve held off implementing my morning routine until now because I want you to play along.

If you participated in the Kindness Challenge you know why you’ll want to join in.

The Challenge will run from January 17th until February 21st. (Which happens to be my birthday. Coincidence? I don’t think so.)

Where to Start?

1. Pray about it.
2. Sign up HERE to grab the worksheets and scripture cards.
3. Take the next 6 days to decide which goal you’d like to focus on for the challenge.
4. Come back next Tuesday for our Goal Setting Kickoff!

The easiest way to do that is subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss a thing.

Easy, right?

I’ll be LIVE on Facebook at 11 CST today (January 10th) to talk more about the challenge and answer questions.

We can do this!