Ready! Set! Go!

When my Rodan + Fields upline team started a 2016 dream project and a goal setting series, I quickly jumped on board!  At first I wasn't sure why I had.... and then I did some soul searching and discovered that I have a huge list of things I want to do but that list is all in my head and I had absolutely no timeline.  As a result, things just haven't been getting done.  So the dream project was a perfect fit for me because I needed a way to set attainable goals, make them measurable, and then put a solid plan in place.  This will help me in my personal life and will also set good future habits for my business.

You likely gathered this this week's goal would be fitness related.  In fact, little Muay Thai Mickey predicted kickboxing!  I love Muay Thai... it's the only workout I have stuck with in the past 20 years.  However, I tend to run into the same problem every year - I go hard for the first 8 months of the year and then my steam runs out or I lose focus on my goal of staying healthy and fit.  I needed to set a goal that would help me to be consistent and maintain my focus for the entire year.  The focus being something I enjoy, which is Muay Thai.

I decided to reasonably predict how many classes I could/would/should attend in 2016.  I came up with 80.  I'm a numbers girl so so I broke it down like this:

 52 weeks in 2016
- 4 weeks in December (because December is crazy... so if I see a class in December, it's a HUGE bonus!)
- 5 weeks vacation
- 1 week sickness allowance
- 2 weeks travel for work
= 40 weeks
x 2 classes
= 80 classes!

It's reasonable, it's measurable, and it's something I cannot wait to kill!  However, it takes an action plan.  This is an important step for me because when I don't plan ahead, my goals tend to not become a reality.  So, I planned!

Step 1 - Get an accountability partner!  That was easy.  I have Karen - my faithful, reliable, fun, and motivating partner who I've been kickboxing with for the last year!  Having her rely on me to make class makes me accountable!  I need to be at class on our chosen days of Tuesdays & Thursdays or she won't have a partner!

Step 2 - Childcare!  I booked a babysitter for every Tuesday and Thursday for as long as she's willing to do it!  And I'm going to pay her good too!  I want her to keep coming back... I'd rather she didn't go get a "real job" because I need her!  I could take the kids with me to class, but when I do I have trouble focusing and I don't feel like I'm getting a real break, which I need in order to take care of myself.

Step 3 - Eat properly!  Part of kickboxing means I need to have a protein shake by about 5:00 or I tend to get sick at class.  This is part of the planning process for me because I need to be at home or bring supplies with me so that this can happen.  Another part of the process is that I need to eat good food all day or I feel heavy and lethargic at class.  The shake part is easy... the eating healthy challenges me daily.  Planning required!

Ready!  Set!  Go!  Here's how my first week went:

On Tuesday Arielle skates, so before we left the rink I bought the kids some delicious greasy fries from the concession.  On the way home, the fries were screaming my name.  I thought I'd have a few.... by the time I got home, half of the fries were gone.  Sorry Nate.  That's definitely not in the plan.

Also screaming my name was my daughter.  She had an absolute meltdown that I was going to class and not taking her with me.   She literally screamed the entire 20 minute drive home.  When we arrived at home, Nate was as white as a ghost.  He stumbled down the hall and into the bottom bunk asking me to please shut off the lights and close the door as he had a terrible headache.  My poor guy.  At this point I'm not sure I should leave... but on the same token, after the screaming fit I just endured, I NEED to leave.

Class is going awesome (except for the lump of fries I can feel every time I jump) when I get a text that Nate is throwing up.  35 minutes into class I'm dashing out the door and heading home.  Props to the sitter - the puke is cleaned up (which was all over the couch and floor, by the way) and Nate's in some clean jammies.  Arielle is quite satisfied with the situation and sitting smugly next to her brother.

Thursday's class just didn't happen.  To make a long story short, my partner's daughter had a recital which she wouldn't miss for the world and I ended up having the most lovely company from a sweet friend.  Hours went by before either of us realized it and soon it was 5:45 and I hadn't made my shake.  I didn't need any more puke in the agenda this week.... so I cancelled the sitter and read books to my kids instead.

Overall.... I planned ahead and I feel like the planning was good... I did miss preparing my kids for the sitter though, and since last week I have remedied that.  Sometimes all the planning in the world can't help life's circumstances and I'm trying to be flexible enough to deal with those times.

I'm counting Tuesday's class as a WIN.  I'm 1/80 with 51 weeks to go.  Watch for little updates on this goal in the future.

I'm excited to share next week's goal with you!  Stay tuned!