It’s springtime!!! The beginning of spring feels like a fresh start. That’s why it’s the perfect time to look at our goals in the next few months. There’s a lot to look forward to and a lot that we should accomplish before summer. After a long, cold, snowy winter, most of us are eager for a change. As soon as it gets warm outside, we’re feeling motivated to get off the couch and do something. So let’s make the most of this energy and make plans for a fun, productive, meaningful spring.
First, let’s print out the Lifetime Goals Worksheet. Write SPRING GOALS at the top. Use this worksheet to plan goals to accomplish before June. If you get some large projects done before June, you’ll have more free time in the summer to spend with your family.
Start at the top of the worksheet and work your way down. Spiritual goals might include how you want to celebrate Easter, which is April 5th this year. If you want to get together with family or invite someone to church services, plan ahead for that.
Family goals might include getting ready for some family milestones, such as birthdays, graduations, and end-of-school-year programs. Also, this is the time to make summer plans for your family. This would include family reunions and family vacations. To get the cheapest rates, you need to make reservations early. I’ll have some upcoming posts about how to plan for reunions and vacations, but for now you should at least set dates for these and put them on your calendar.
House goals for this time of year usually involves spring cleaning and seasonal projects. We can make this fun or, at least tolerable, with some good music, comfy clothes, fresh air coming through the open windows, and our organized set of checklists. Even people who hate to clean seem to enjoy it, at least a little, in the springtime. So let’s make the most of it. I’ll have several upcoming posts about spring cleaning with checklists telling you what needs to be done. Springtime is also the time to work on the outside of the house, including yardwork, landscaping, and planting flowers.
For personal goals, I like to exercise and get in better shape for summer, so I’m highly motivated, knowing that it’s right around the corner. It’s actually nice to finally get outside for walks. Springtime is also easier for healthy eating, because some of the farmer’s markets open with all those good, fresh fruits and veggies. Since it’s getting warmer, we can start using the grill and make healthier dinners.
Of course, springtime means that it’s time to clean our closets and be ready to wear our spring and summer clothes. Next week, I’ll have several posts about how to do this. I love clothes and, therefore, love the closet cleaning project. It makes me feel like I have a new wardrobe because those clothes haven’t been worn in a long time. It’s another way to have a fresh start!
We also should use this time to re-evaluate our finances. Family celebrations, such as graduations, weddings, and end-of-school-year activities can get expensive, so we need to set a budgeted amount and stick to it. You also need to set a budget for your family vacations. Like I said before, if you start early, you might get cheaper hotels, plane tickets, etc. Also, a lot of people get tax refunds this time of year. Don’t just throw it in your checking account and let it dwindle away. Make it count for something, whether it’s to pay off an annoying debt, to use for a major purchase, or for the upcoming family vacation.
For your job or career, you might want to finish up some major projects so that you’ll have more free time in the summer. If you’re taking college classes, you’ll want to make plans to finish up all your term papers on time and get ready for final exams. Then, you can really enjoy your summer.
So, there you have it. You have plans to make this spring fun, productive, and meaningful. Make sure you put each of your projects into your weekly schedule. If necessary, break them down into manageable parts. Next week I’ll have several posts about my first spring project, which is my favorite: THE SPRING/SUMMER CLOSET PROJECT.
(Trench coat from Express, Umbrella from Target)