Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 30

Assignment 30: You did it!

Thank goodness this is over. I didn't get to put in the effort I would have liked. Anyway, today I need to list all the ways I will keep myself accountable and reinforced what I've learned. I will keep making to do lists - not in my blog but somewhere easily accessible. I'll have my daily list and longer term lists, as well as periodic goal evaluation.

To do list:
laundry
floors
monthly 5k
buy newspaper
organize coupons

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 29

Assignment 29:  How will you do this?

Brainstorm ideas for achieving my goals. Let me first re-think my goals.

To do list:
change kitty litter
catch up on dvrs
watch Fringe (if it's available online)
make shopping list
change printer cartridges
sort Sebastian's coloring bucket

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 28

Assignment 28: To do list management

Edit today's to do list. What can be removed? Categorize my priority.\

None of it is critical. None of it has to be done today, but I'd like it all done.

To do list:
laundry
work out
make shopping list
buy printer ink
deposit paycheck

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 27

Assignment 27: Desitnation fixation

What do I want to stop fixating on? Where will I be 12 months from now?

I want to stop fixating on the things I can't control, but a year from now, I will be in control of more things in my life.

To do list:
work out
change kitty litter
clean comforter
catch up on bedroom dvr
read with Sebastian

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 26

Assignment 26: FAQ

I'll be honest - I only skimmed the page and didn't watch the video. I didn't get the email before work, and then I had to sub so I didn't get home until late and by then, I really didn't feel like messing with it. I didn't have much of importance to do today anyway.

To do list:
laundry
empty compost bucket

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 25

Assignment 25: Celebrating success.

List my proudest accomplishments since beginning this challenge. How will I celebrate my next accomplishment?

Well, I am pretty pleased that I mapped out a strategy for getting my house cleaned and organized. That has been keeping me positive, which helps me not freak out on Sebastian. My next accomplishment will actually be the execution of the plan, and when it's all done at the end of next month, I'm going to celebrate by starting my garden indoors, since I will actually have a place to do that!

To do list:
work out
laundry
change kitty litter
clean microwave

Busy day, huh?

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 24

Assignment 24: Time management.

Journal every minute of the day for two days and identify the one activity I have to cut back on to make better use of my time.

I don't need to journal to identify my time suck! It's the freaking internet. It's Babycenter and Facebook and my private message boards and my silly "researching" of various topics.

And it seems to be another "eat that frog" day, so I need to do my most important thing first. Nothing today is absolutely vital, but I definitely think the biggest "thing" is my workout. I'm starting a new program today so I'm eager to test it out. At the same time, it's a day off from school and work (thank you, teacher work day) so I'm tempted to be lazy.

To do list:
work on recipes
read for 20 minutes with Sebastian
build catapult with boys
laundry
put dishes away
Boxtops for Education
work out
do one week of meal planning for next month - I actually finished the menu!

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 23

Assignment 23: Environment for success.

How can I design/maintain my environment so that I can reach my goal? Since my goal is all about the home being calm, my entire house being organized is a big deal. We've been taking steps to make the environment easier for me to deal with. We got rid of a pain in the ass entertainment center and got some pieces that look better and are easier to keep clean and organized. We moved the old bulky piece into Sebastian's room, where it's perfect for storage of his stuff.

I keep my actual work space organized. I recently moved all my computer peripherals closer and bought an organizer for storing notepads and my USB cords. It's all good.

And next month's 30 day challenge runs off this theme (though I came up with the idea a week or two ago). I scheduled one small area of the house to organize and clean each day for the entire month. By the end of February, I will have a clean and organized home. A clean and organized home makes me a less stressed parent.

To do list:
buy news paper
organize coupons
grocery shopping
get gas
get booster seat from truck
change kitty litter
clean floors
hang entry-way rack
clean aerobic stepper
laundry
file taxes
finalize new workout program

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 22

Assignment 22: Share your success.

Let people around me know how they can help me achieve my goals.

I guess this means my husband is not a mind reader and I need to let him know that I can't do all the parenting by myself, that we need to be on the same page with discipline and expectations, and that we can't undermine each other. So, I shouldn't let Sebastian snuggle in our bed at 5 AM anymore :(

To do list:
have a fun day with my husband and son at two museums in Richmond
read on the way to and from Richmond

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 21

Assignment 21: Review Day

Not much to do, except review! I might re-do my goal list.

Today's to do list:
work out
thaw shrimp
buy Flat Out bread and toilet paper
go to bank
spend some time thrift store shopping
read with Sebastian
work on February menu some more
work on new weight training routine
make hummus

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 20

Assignment 20: Uncomfortable assignment.

List an uncomfortable assignment I've given myself to master immediately.

I am not doing other people's jobs today. I'm going to do mine and only mine. I go above and beyond every day. Today, I'm not picking up the slack.

Today's to-do list
take Sebastian for shots - REMEMBER to get medicine refill
return library book
buy Flat Out bread
read for 20 minutes with Sebastian

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 19

Assignment 19: Skills vs. goals.

Schedule a day of the week to create 10 goals. List push goal and how it will enable remaining goals. I think I will create my goals on Sundays, as I head into the new week. My push goal is to be a calmer parent and if I'm less stressed and more organizes, everything will be smoother.

Today's to-do list:
take recycling in
read as much as possible because library book is due tomorrow
PTA meeting - Turns out it wasn't much of a PTA function. There was supposed to be PTA business but no one in charge knew what was going on. I already knew what the business was but I wanted to see parent reaction. But since it was such chaos, I blew it off.

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 18

Assignment 18: Confidence through action.

List 1-3 things I've done recently that have boosted my confidence.

I got my teeth fixed a bit. That's about all I can think of that's recent.  Bah. So much for confidence.

Today's to-do list:
workout
mail packages
return library book
read for 20 minutes
work on February menu
prep tomorrow's lunches

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 17

Assignment 17: Breaking down the push goal.

Oh, look, a worksheet.

List 2-3 small steps to take today to help reach the goal. The more I think about it, the dumber my goal seems. I read stuff from other people doing this challenge, and it seems like everything they've picked is business/career/money related. I just want to be a better parent. I don't care about building an empire. I just want to be a good mom. Maybe I will do a new push goal each month, to coincide with my other personal challenges.

Okay, so 2-3 things I can do today that will help that. Well, there's no school today and Sebastian is having a friend over. I can do some activities with them. So we'll make brownies and go to the park. Another thing I can do today is get off the computer to work on as assignment Sebastian has. Normally I listen from my perch at the bar. Today I will sit down with him and listen to him read, then ask him questions because he is going to be tested on his reading comprehension. We need to do this every night this week.

Today's to-do list:
workout
put laundry away
change kitty litter
take boys to park
make brownies with the boys
read for 20 minutes
do yesterday's assignment to look up parenting sites

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 16

Assignment 16: Knowledge gives you the edge.

List the research I will add to my to-do list today and make a definitive statement about my push goal.

I picked a really freaking stupid push goal. Become a calmer parent? So, I guess I will look up some parenting web sites to find some methods of disciplining the pain in the ass challenging child.

I really failed on my list yesterday. There was a lot I didn't get done, but I did do a lot of things that were no on my to-do list. I didn't work out or do any cooking. I did brainstorm some ideas for monthly personal challenges, and even finalized next months challenge, complete with schedule. I backed up my computer and did some maintenance on it. I worked on my recipes, and printed out all of the recipes I needed for today.

To-do list:
laundry
grocery shopping
buy newspaper
organize coupons
catch up on DVR
work on February menu
read for 20 minutes
bake breads & bars, baked oatmeal

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 15

Assignment 15: Learn to say no.

Oh, I don't think I have a problem saying no. I don't do things I really don't want to do.

To-do list:
workout
put dishes away
vacuum
make hummus
bake protein granola bars
make cereal bars
make Sandwich Thins & English muffins
activate new Brandy's VisaBuxx card
do laundry

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 14

Assignment 14: How do you spend your day?

Identify my "frog" and start with that to create a schedule for the to-do list.

I'm not sure I really have a frog. Usually the biggest thing I need to "get out of the way" is my workout. So, assuming I do not have to work late, I will start laundry before work, and when I get home, I'll workout, then do everything else.

Today's to-do list:
change kitty litter
vacuum
work out
finish the book I'm reading, then start the next one
create weekend baking list
work on shopping list
begin February menu
work on long term to-do lists & schedule
laundry

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 13

Assignment 13: Who are your friends?

Make a list of people who push me to be my best.

In general terms, I hope this means, not just with respect to my push goal of being a calmer parent. I am lucky to have many people touch my life in some way. M pushes me to be stronger and healthier physically. C led me to my current job. D and T and M are good parental role models.

Today's to-do list:
start shopping list for the weekend
put dishes away
re-stock laundry detergent
vacuum floors
prep lunches for tomorrow
make hummus

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 12

Assignment 12: Be your own coach.

Today's assignment is to write down a negative thought, cross it out, then write the opposite in the form of an affirmation.

I'm a selfish parent and often act out of anger.

I am a good mom and do my best to create a safe, loving environment for my son.

Today's to-do list:
work out
change kitty litter (I hate when it's my turn!!)
Green Team
wrestling
prep tomorrow's lunches
work on long term to-do list & schedule
read for 20 minutes

Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge: Day 11

Assignment 11: Skill Mastery

List the things that will help improve my skillz and help me achieve my push goal. Yo.

To recap, my push goal was to become a calmer parent. So I guess some things that will help me do that are:
recognizing when I'm reacting emotionally and irrationally, seeking out alternatives to yelling all the time, and actually learning to do less for Sebastian.

Today's to-do list:
put dishes away
work out
clean bathroom
read for 15 minutes
prep tomorrow's lunches
pack camera for Green Team
review this month's menu and adjust based on wrestling schedule
roast chicken for Thursday's soup
put pork chops in marinade for tomorrow's dinner