Jen's One Minute Goals

As I read this book, I realized I had read it once before and forgotten about it.  In one of life’s funny little coincidences, the day before I read it I purged, cleaned and toddler-proofed my bedroom and came across 4 little index cards, each with a one minute goal on it that I had written more than 2 years ago.  I didn’t use them very long before they got stashed in a pile in my bedroom. 

Funny. 

Here’s what I had written, along with my thoughts on them now.  When I wrote these I had one child 3 or 4 years old.  Now I have a 6 year old and 18 month old twins.  Life is a little different for my family now.

1.     I begin devotional every day by 9:30 am.  I am happy to start my day off so well.  I feel like a good mother.  I enjoy spending quality time with Isabel.

I would love to be achieving this goal but it’s too dependent on things outside my control.  I can’t make my daughter go faster than she goes in the morning and we don’t do devotional until she’s finished with her breakfast, bath, and chores.

2.     I prepare dinner by 6:30 pm everyday.  My family and I enjoy a yummy dinner and have plenty of time left for other activities.  I feel like a good wife and mother.  I will have time to do the dishes and read with Isabel. 

This is still something I would like to achieve and have worked on in the past 6 months.  I think I will start working on this again “one minute” style.

3.     I am doing the dishes every night before bed.  The Kitchen is clean for the next day.  I feel like a good homemaker.  I can relax better.  I feel relieved and energized when I see it in the morning.

I have made progress on this.  I’m still not 100% but much improved.  I need to update this goal now based on my changed circumstances.  Every night is not often enough.  Twin toddlers trash my kitchen 3-4 times a day.

4.     I go to bed by 11pm with Kelly.  I get the rest I need and enjoy being with my husband.  I am able to wake up earlier and have a better start to my day.

I still struggle with going to bed early enough but in addition to that challenge I need more sleep than I used to.  I also know I need wind down time sitting in my bed reading before I will successfully go to sleep so I need to modify this goal.

So here are some updated one minute goals that I hope to work on using the one minute system.

1.     I get up at 7 every weekday and walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes.  I feel hope that this will rewire my brain and help it recover so that my walking and balance will improve and someday I will run again.  I feel energized as I start my day.  I have time to shower before my kids get up and I feel ready rather than behind.

2.     I clean the Kitchen after every meal.  Isabel works with me and I am teaching her how to work.  I feel peaceful and calm every time I go into the kitchen to prepare a meal.  I feel like a good mother and homemaker.  I can relax in between meals better and still fit in time to play with and read to my kids.

3.     I get in my bed by 9:30pm everynight and turn the lights off by 10:30.  I get the rest I need.  I feel happier being on the same schedule as my husband.  I feel good that I’m setting myself up for a successful day.

I think this system is good and could work if I use it.   I need to make new cards and keep them with me all day to remind me to use the goals, praises, and recoveries several times a day.