Can you believe that we are already a quarter of the way through 2013? It kinda blows my mind. I guess it’s sort of old news at this point now that we’re three days into April, but it’s been hanging over me all week.
The thing is, I’ve been feeling a little paralyzed by this milestone. I feel like I should be doing something to evaluate how effective I’ve been so far this year. It seems easy enough, right?
The truth is, I’ve been terrified to look at my goals from the beginning of the year. I’ve done a cursory look at our finances, but for the bigger goals I’ve been scared to even look.
But you know what? When I finally did look at them, I actually said out loud “I’m not doing as bad as I think I am.” And it kind of struck me how unnecessarily hard I am on myself sometimes. I’m telling you this because I bet that a lot of you out there are, too. So maybe take some time to reflect on how you’re doing today, and no matter what your conclusions are, move on. Because for me, dwelling on how I’m doing just distracts from the actual doing. And that’s not the point.
Do you have any rituals that help you track how you’re doing? I check my stats every other Monday and record them in a spreadsheet. But I feel like I’m notoriously bad at checking in with long term goals. Maybe I need to set a better schedule for that?
Thanks Katelyn, this is exactly what I needed to hear today : )
I meant to sit down yesterday and go through all of my stats/objectives/etc for the first quarter but I put it off … maybe I’ll get to it today and realize I’m not doing badly either. :)
It was definitely hanging over my head, and I felt relieved when I finally did it! I say go for it! :)
I definitely love to set goals and check back on them. It’s a lot of fun to put a big line through the things you’ve already accomplished but also nice to look forward to the goals you still want to achieve. I can’t believe we’re already a quarter through the year!!!
This is really encouraging. This morning I wrote out a list of the debts I want to pay off in order – not even the amounts – just their names. And it was scary to acknowledge I needed to start reflecting and doing. I’m definitely hard on myself like you.
Also, that photo is gorgeous.
Congrats on writing down your lists of debts, Brittany! That’s a great first step and one that can be so daunting to take. I have a crazy amount of student loans but putting them all in order and deciding the order I’d pay them off made me feel in control and like I have a plan. Now I’m just executing the plan.
I wrote a few posts about debt, if you’re interested!
http://www.thingsafterrings.com/my-new-favorite-toy/
http://www.thingsafterrings.com/oh-hey-student-loans/
My post today was also an update to my New Year’s goals. I was a little nervous to see what I’ve checked off because I feel like I haven’t accomplished much! The days just seem to fly by! I really haven’t done as much as I was hoping, but hey, we still have 8 more months! ;)
I really wish that I could stop being so hard on myself, because you’re right, when you look at the big picture, is going a lot better than you think! And we’re a quarter through the year? Woah!
xx Lexi, Glitter, Inc.
Wow, I didn’t realize we’re a quarter of the way through 2013. That’s crazy! I love your advice to check in and move on. Getting caught up in what we haven’t done doesn’t help anything.
Great advice. I always dread looking back at my goals because I’m afraid of not meeting them. I’m one of those people who gets hung up on my failures, so I need to keep this advice in the back of my mind.
Simple yet great advice! Thanks!!