Intentional in 2013

A very creative friend of mine has taken last year and now this year to focus on being a better person. She has used a word to symbolize what area she wants to work on most. I am jumping on board this year mainly because when I write it on the blog, I tend to stick to it!

I have always done well with my goal setting posts in the past and was already feeling an itch to start them again. When Meghan posted about her 2013 goal to Connect, I thought it might be a good way for me to change up my goal making while still focusing on things I want to get done in order to grow in areas I feel I'm lacking in.

I want to be more intentional with all my actions and time in 2013. I have always thought of this word to describe how I want to be focused and deliberate in every way. I feel this word puts action to thoughts and words. If I am intentional to do what I say and think about throughout the day, I might actually feel more successful and better about how I spent my time at the end of the day.

I want to be intentional about my relationships with God, my husband, my children, extended family and friends! We are also really working on our budget and I need to keep on top of it! Guilt tends to loom over me every time I fail to give my all to those I love; doing selfish desires instead.

With God:

•  intentional to have devotional and prayer time be a priority.
• want to truly focus on Him and His will in my life

With Tyler:

• focus on being positive each day; not giving him the laundry list of complaints
• watch my words, as well, to let him know I love him and am not burned out

With the kids:

• Want to be intentional about our time together
• focus on them and their words rather than try to multitask all the time

With other family and friends:

• Simply to make time for them and follow through with plans made
• want to intentionally pray for them when I say I will

Financially:

• Intentionally watch every penny I spend
• Be creative in ways to stretch the dollar
• Stay on top of my coupons, but know when enough is enough

Sadly, all of these areas are things I have meant to work on in the past. I know they will always need attention, but I have not really changed a bit from where I feel I started. So this is the year! I want God to be a priority, and not just go through the motions. I want my family to see a more positive side of me. I know I am not perfect but this year I want my words to match my actions.

This particular month my goals are to:

1. Continue daily bible study and prayer time
2. Write prayer concerns for others down and take time to pray for them
3. As well, I want to check in on my family and friends to encourage them when needed
4. Have at least one play date/lunch with a friend
5. Work on my attitude towards Tyler when I want to be negative or feel I deserve to be grouchy
6. Play games with Garyn and do bible study time with him
7. Read to Ansley daily and work on her flash cards
8. Work on cutting coupons instead of checking facebook status numerous times a day (AMEN!)
9. Do Ansley's hair bow holder from pinterest and stop procrastinating! 
10. Try to spend less on groceries/ meals and save for those miscellaneous needs that come up

I look forward to setting goals in order to reach my overall goal of being intentional with my time. I so often get into bed at night and think over my day wondering what I really accomplished that was worth anything. I know cleaning, blog reading, facebook and laundry are all going to continue but sometimes I feel those took up the most time of my day. Alas, the next morning, I repeat the same actions and feel guilty again by the end of the day. Ready to change that!
2013 seems like a great time to be INTENTIONAL!