I’ve said it once, but I’ll say it again: How is it already November?

Thanks to Emily Ley for this lovely November art!

I know that I’m probably the world’s worst blogger, but I keep coming back and I keep trying. That’s worth something, right? And today I wanted to share with you my November goals using my 2017 Powersheets. You can snag your 2018 set here if you want to keep up with me in the year to come! I actually bought 2 sets for 2018: one for personal goals and one for work goals.

Fall Thoughts

Technically this section was supposed to be filled out in September at the start of “Fall,” but I waited until October to do it. And then I didn’t blog my October Goals. So here we are! I love these “refresh” sections, though. I find that I constantly need to pull myself back and redirect my perspective. And I love what Lara has to say here:

In fall, our crops bear fruit and bounty to share. We reap the harvest, uprooting our fields and clearing out life before the stillness of winter arrives once again. Fall is the season of savoring what matters and cultivating gratitude.

I have been in a perpetual state of frantic motion lately. But I want to slow down and savor my life. So I’ve narrowed down 5 key things I want to savor this season:

• Time with Kyle & my puppies
• Coffee dates w/friends & my advisees
• Trips with my department
• Self-care
• Being grateful for this life I’ve been given

In order to make that happen this season, I’m making my months full of friends & family, giving back, love, & purpose. So I’m saying NO to additional (unnecessary) requests of my time and a busy calendar (easier said than done). And I’m saying YES slowness, growth, personal reflection, and time with loved ones. Another thing I’m trying to do is find myself spiritually, hoping to ground myself in something bigger than myself. So my “word” for the next few months is prayer. And I’m making a promise to myself: to focus on my book!

Fall Goal Refresh: November Style

I found that I didn’t make as much progress on many of my goals this year as I intended. And I think part of it came down to being realistic and dedicated. So here’s my refresh in the final months of the year. Many of these goals will carry over to 2018, don’t worry!

And would you look at that? I’m working on my personal blog 😉 I think these goals are pretty self-explanatory. But I’m really looking forwards to trying to take a winter trip with Kyle. I want this to be an annual thing for us! Someday we’ll own our very own cabin in the Shenandoah Valley <3

Things to Look Forward To

Why yes, I did do my prep work in all stickers. And I loved it. Instead of focusing on all the calendar stuff and “important to-do’s” in a list-type fashion, I wanted to think about how to make these things memorable.

On My November Calendar:

There’s only one major item on my calendar that I’m really focused on for this month: giving an invited talk about my research at Bryn Mawr College!

Important To Do’s

• Give Thanks (gratitude is everything)
• Stay off my phone!
• Social Media Free Weekends (Lord, help me!)
• Make it Happen!

Things I’m Excited For

• Family time
• Date nights
• Adventures
• Rest
• Prayer
• Coffee Dates
• Reading (for knowledge AND pleasure!)
• Fall leaves & colors
• Sweater weather
• Boots/booties and thick socks

And this month I really want to work on simplifying my life and my tasks. I want to kickstart 2018 with the right mindset and tools.

Things I Need to Let Go

Yeah, I have Frozen’s “Let it Go” stuck in my head each time I fill this out!

Tending List: November 2017

So in the spirit of simplifying my life and my goals this month, I tried to limit the number of goals I set for myself in each category.

Monthly Goals

• Finish the draft of my book introduction
• Post at least one blog post
• Finish my proposal for The History Press (book #2)
• Finish the living room renovations/changes
• Grade my student’s Reading Exam #2

Weekly Goals

• Call friends/family each week
• Date night once-a-week with Kyle

Daily Goals

• Improve my oral health (daily water flossing!)
• Get back into my “Daily Bible” plan

What about you? What goals do you have this month or this season? Is there anything about Fall that you’re most looking forward to?