I can’t say I don’t set goals for myself. In fact, I generally do. But I usually don’t share them publicly. Knowing myself, I’m sure it’s because of the stupid notion that I would rather not put myself out there at all than put myself out there as a failure. Case in point: The first year I did the Chicago Marathon (2013) I told no one. And by no one, I mean NO ONE. Not even my husband. I didn’t tell him until two weeks before the race, and I literally called my BFF and told her for the very first time immediately after crossing the finish line. Silly, right? After all, we raise our children with the mantra, “you don’t know unless your try”. So here goes – a very brief and not-so-lofty set of goals for November:
Run three days a week. Not that big of a deal, I know. I’ve easily done much more than that over the past six months. The difference being, I was (pseudo)training for two fall marathons. With no upcoming races on the calendar, and with the cold weather already rearing its ugly head, I’d much rather pull the blankets up over my head than go for a run. But three days a week is very doable, especially if I don’t set specific mileage goals. There may be some days I run around the block and call it a day…but a run is a run, right?
Strength train two days a week. This, too, shouldn’t be too difficult. I have a decent home gym in my basement. It’s just a matter of getting my sorry butt down there. But if I’m running just three days a week, what the heck else am I doing the other four days???
Organize my home office. Oh yeah, that. This might not seem like a big endeavor for most people, but for me, it’s huge. I am a saver of all things, and while I have dreams of being a completely organized person, I am…not. I tend to let things pile up to the point where they become overwhelming, and then I just ignore them all together. I actually started the process earlier this week, so this is a picture of the work in progress. This could easily take the entire month to complete, but I’ve already filled my shredder bin once. Baby steps, baby steps.
Book my travel plans through the end of the year. I’m a bargain hunter and like most people, I want to get the best price for my purchases. So I tend to play the watch and wait game, especially with airfare. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. I didn’t book my hotel for the MCM until the week before, and scored the Ritz Carlton for just $195 per night. I’d call that a win! I am running Ragnar South Beach next weekend. I have a one-way flight booked for the route there, which I got at a pretty decent price. I currently don’t have a flight home. I might have missed the boat on that one. I have three more business trips to plan to close out the year. I am hoping to get those done this weekend. I have literally forgotten to book flights or hotels in the past. Bottom line: I need a secretary (and maybe a housekeeper too)!
Up my social media game. It was fairly easy to keep up on daily Instagram posts when I was (pseudo)training for my marathons. Go for a run, snap a picture, post it on IG. Boom! Done. Now? I’m not so sure anyone is interested in daily posts showing my progress organizing my home office. I have, however, been writing more blog posts, so at least there’s that. Now to find a way make the time to give all of my social media outlets more attention.
I am re-posting the tail-end of my post from earlier this week for any new readers who may be interested in helping this good cause:
As we move into November, please indulge me as I shamelessly plug my middle son Michael and his roommates. They are a great bunch of guys and I consider all of them my boys. To them, I am simply Mama J.
They recently participated in a gala fundraiser for Saving Tiny Hearts in support of their friend Haley, who was born with a congenital heart defect. I’m so proud and thrilled that these guys have found their benevolent sides and are working to help others at such a young age. For their November project they will be participating in Moustache November, AKA Movember and will be growing moustaches (or at least will try!) to help raise awareness of some of the biggest health issues faced by men such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and poor mental health. As my son’s donation page will tell you, our family, as I’m sure many of yours, has been affected by some of these issues. If you would like to donate, even a dollar will help! You can donate to Michael’s fundraising page by clicking on this link, or to his team’s general page by clicking on this one.
I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for the Friday Five 2.0.
Do you sent monthly goals for yourself? How do you make sure you meet them? Did you ever plan something big, and not tell anyone about it until it was over? Have a great November!
i like your goals for November!
I’m also having the same issue with social media. I’m not posting nearly as much now but I’m trying to find a balance where I at least post 4-5x a week with (hopefully)interesting content!
It’s just so easy to fall behind, and sometimes hard to find interesting content!
Can we talk about your home gym for a second? It’s awesome! Right now mine is just a yoga mat and a set of 10 pound weights. I need to up my game! haha
Haha thanks! When we had our first baby in 1992, there was no such thing as childcare at gyms, so we decided to buy our first piece (a big stair-stepper), and then we bought a Nordic Track ski machine. Those two are long-gone, but we continued to buy a few decent pieces. We still go to the gym every now and then, but we really have no excuses!
I have some organization to do around the house too thanks for the reminder!
‘Tis the season! I need to start digging through and organizing papers so I can get my tax files ready! UGH.
I usually have monthly fitness goals…kind of like mini challenges I know I can do for a month (and then never do again…if I so desire). Since there’s no pressure to do these challenges long term, I actaually enjoy doing them…and many of them have a way of becoming routine workouts I continue doing after the month has ended.
It makes so much more sense to make small, achievable goals. Then anything above that is a bonus!
Wow1!You have a very nice gym in your basement. I would definitely be taking advantage of that area.
I go in waves, but there really are no excuses. I have more than I need to get a good workout in without having to leave the house.
Okay I guess I do have one November goal, and that is to organize my office and my kitchen cabinets! I should write that down so I don’t forget… 🙂
I do find that if I write things on lists, I’m more likely to get them done!
I feel you on the office clutter. Mine would look the same way if it wasn’t brand spanking new. I’m gonna fight like hell to keep the clutter under control. I don’t really keep stuff secret. Rarely anyone cares anyway so maybe I should. Haha!
I had such dreams of staying organized! Thought it is organized in my mind…I really do know where everything is!
Your home gym looks amazing, and it’s a great idea to alternate your cardio days with strength days. I do this with my clients. Have a great week! 🙂
Thanks! I really need to mix up my workouts. I focused mostly on running this summer, but really need to get those gym workouts in.
I actually don’t set monthly goals. I always have a loose goal of running 100 miles/month, which has kind of fallen by the wayside this year! I probably need to alter that one. But I do run 4 days/week and that’s really important to me.
I thought setting specific miles per week might not work with my crazy work/travel schedule, but if I can fit in 3 runs, long or short, I will be happy!
I’ve never really been one to say I’m going to do A B C D. The more I plan, the more things seem to go awry. I do have general ideas but am also open to opportunities that might arise that will blow those plans out of the water! I wish I had a home office like yours! It’s lovely.
I really need to set goals but I seldom do anything formal. I would do much better with a list I could cross things off on.
I am jealous of your home gym. That looks awesome!!
Thanks! We really don’t use it as much as we should, but it’s good to know we have it. My boys like to use it when they come home for the holidays or weekends.
I hear you, my posting on social media has taken a dramatic downturn since I crossed the Chicago Marathon. I don’t want to post just to post. I know that my life isn’t all that interesting to everybody else.
Exactly! I struggle to find new and interesting things to post, especially when there is no training going on!
How beautiful of those young men to want to help their friend! I love that spirit of compassion!
I do tend to share big goals because of the accountability aspect. If I put it out into the world, then it’s happening for sure LOL!
Good luck with your goals! You’ve got this!
Thanks so much! They are a great bunch of guys. I’m really starting to look at some big goals for next year…we’ll see how much I can comfortably disclose!
Sound like a lot of great goals!!!! I haven’t even thought about November goals…..
Ha! I’m usually looking at goals about mid-month, so I’m with you!
Thanks for finally talking about >November 2017 Goals | The Accidental Marathoner <Liked it!
Thank you!