Why Write Goals?

After packing and moving for the second time in twelve months, I find myself asking "Why do I keep writing goals just so I can change course four times in three months?"

At least it feels like I am changing my goals all the time. Frankly, I needed some direction on why I need to write another set of goals. I think this is the fourth set in 6 months? So I am reading what some goal setting gurus say. I found this on Michael Hyatt's blog. He writes like a real person with real life happening. He has five reasons why you write goals but I love this statement here.

"Of course, most people don’t bother to write down their goals. Instead, they drift through life aimlessly, wondering why their life lacks purpose and significance. I am not saying that committing your goals to writing is the end-game. It’s not. But it is the beginning." Michael Hyatt

Ok, so according to Michael I need to write my goals down to keep me from drifting aimlessly through life. Rather like driving in a new town without a map. You WILL get lost even if you do get directions and finally do end up at the right place. So I will lose time trying to get back on track.

Then there is this comment from the Goal Setting Guide.

"When you put pen to paper you turn your thoughts into something tangible."

Then the actual act of writing goals down causes me to believe that the goal I have written is actually going to happen.

This is the third gem I found while searching for answers procrastinating.

" To remind yourself of what to focus on. Often we get caught up in our everyday business and lose track of what is most important."

This is a great point and I think that people in creative jobs need more goals than most. It helps us to stick to the point and keep moving forward. I did notice that many of the articles I read all stated not to be afraid to rework your goals and to prioritize them.

Here are all of the links to the articles that I read for this blog on goal setting.

http://michaelhyatt.com/5-reasons-why-you-should-commit-your-goals-to-writing.html

http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/step-5-write-your-goal-down

http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2010/09/30/write-things-down/

Talk to you later,

Karen

PS. I am heading off to re-examine my goals while I unpack a couple of boxes in the kitchen, so I can cook again in an organized space. How is that for a tangible, immediate goal? What is one of your goals for this week?

 

How to really clean a bathroom: A cleaning check list

I ran across this form when we were packing for this next move. I wrote this in a fit of desperation. We have four kids, we home school, and my husband worked out of our house; so our bathrooms were/are in constant use. Our kids never could remember exactly what I meant when I said clean the bathroom. You have to understand that my kids are extremely forgetful and literal. I wrote up several different lists and got them laminated. Then they could check off the list with a wipe off marker. This one list tells you exactly HOW to clean the bathroom, or rather exactly what I wanted done. I left a blank so you can write the cleaner of the day in.

How to really clean the bathroom

1. Pick up the trash and put it in the trash can


2. Pick up the dirty clothes and put them in the hamper


3. Using ________ and paper towels, mist and wipe clean the mirror.


4. Lift the toilet seat and squirt ____________________ toilet cleaner under the rim of the toilet.


5. Wipe down the sink and counter top; put away the things that need it and throw out the trash, be careful not to get cleaner on anyone's toothbrush.


6. Scrub the toilet with the toilet brush and flush the toilet; there should be no stains in the toilet when you are done. Rinse the toilet brush in the toilet after you have flushed it and put it in the toilet brush holder.


7. Dry the sink out with a used towel off the towel rack and put it in the laundry hamper when you are done.


8. Using ______________________________ wipe down the toilet set top and bottom, inner part and seat part, behind the toilet lid and the toilet lid, the tank top and all of the outside of the toilet.


9. Fold or roll up the bath mat. place the bathmat outside the bathroom and using a broom and dust pan; sweep the whole floor in the bathroom, moving the trash can and toilet brush. Empty the dust pan into the trash can.


10.  Using _______________________________and water; scrub the whole tub, sides, bottom and edges. There should be no dark rings, or splotches in the bottom of the tub. Be sure and scrub the faucet and knobs. Rinse the tub with hot water and if the tub is not shiny do it again.


11. Clean the soap holder with _______________________and rinse it with hot water.


12. Clean the shampoo rack with ____________________and a scrub brush and rinse it under the tub faucet.


13. Mop the bathroom floor with ________________________________________. The mop should not be dripping but damp enough to do a great job.


14. Put all empty shampoo bottles in the trash


15. Put out new soap, shampoo and toilet paper if needed.


16. Take all towels off the towel racks and put them in the hamper.


17. Empty the trash can into the trash bag and put trash can back in the bathroom where it goes. Take the trash bag out to the large trash can outside.


18. Shake out any bathmats outside. Put it in the laundry hamper to be washed or lay it back down in the bathroom on the floor.


19. Put clean towels out on the towel racks folded so that people know they have clean towels.


20. Refill hand soap dispenser or put out fresh soap.

You have just done an awesome job cleaning the bathroom it is now spotless and totally clean. I am thrilled with how clean it is and you did an incredible job.

**********************************************************

Ok, for some of you neaties this will seem like over kill, but in our house it was needed and it works great. I am sure that there are better or different checklists out there. Feel free to use this one as the beginnings of your own personal checklist. Cut and paste this into any  word processing  program and do your own thing. Slip it into a page protector or laminate it.Then assign a different number every day of the week or they can put initials next to each item when they complete it. The point is, make it yours and then use it!

Yes, you can tell that my kids left leave clothes on the bathroom floor even if there is a hamper to put them in. Yes, they even leave empty shampoo bottles in the shower to play with, to trip over. I ended up writing this out because they felt that I had arbitrary rules for how clean the bathroom should be and this solved any disputes we had. I am posting this because one of my kids mentioned that it was an incredible list. So here you go! Have fun and keep your kids helping you around the house. It blesses everyone and when your kids go to their first job their employer will be excited to see a kid that actually knows how to clean!

Talk to you later,

Karen

Do you have a chore check list? How does it work at your house?