He has made everything new in its time… 

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Goal setting, intention setting, life visions — all of these wonderful things require us to get introspective. These aspirational practices call us to be honest with ourselves, even when we do not want to be. Over the past 4 years of working through intentional goal setting, I do not know that I have been fully honest with myself. Or maybe I have, in each season. It is amazing to me to look back at my very first set of notes and goals. This was the year when HHE was just an inkling, right before we got married. Oh how things change…

Today, right now, I am so grateful for Lara and the process that she has honed and shared with us these past four or five years. In each session, I learn more about myself, admit the not so pretty things and prayerfully decide how to proceed. This post is generally one that I write at the beginning of the year. In the past, I have felt pressure to define my goals by January 1st. There is no magic date or dictated time to commit to improving your life or action steps to be who you want to be. So, this year, I approached things differently. When I say that I took my time, friends, I took. my. time.  Five and a half whole months, to be exact. Let me tell you, it was SO worth it!

Every, single time I open my power sheets, the scene is almost identical to this one. There is something so peaceful, centering and intentional about sitting on the floor with my Bible, power sheets, tea or coffee and some instrumental music on. It helps me focus and drown out the noise. Working through the prep work in the process always takes me at least a month. This year, it took me 3, then another 2 to solidify my goals to take action on. So much happened in those five months that kept shifting my focus and heart. Those months refined me and helped me to choose my word of the year – SURRENDER. I am not in control and I am finally ok with that. That word just washes over me and I feel peace. It fills my heart with grace for myself (not just others).

One of my all time favorite parts, as a visual person and creative, is curating my inspiration board of what fires me up and what my ideal big picture looks like. I start with a brain dump in my sheets, then start collecting images on Pinterest and making notes everywhere. This is a beautifully messy process and brings me so much joy! Again, it’s so funny to look at the past few years’ boards and see how my dreams, aesthetic and finding my true self have evolved!

• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• Now – 2016! This year’s collection very much reflects my personality, our family goals, the core of HHE and the colors and emotions that we strive to surround ourselves with. With everything being more cohesive and intertwined, the way I think it should be, I can tell that this year is going to be a year that everything starts falling into place!

With that said, goals are written and though they aren’t perfect, I am so excited about them. I could still refine things further and I will as the months go by, but I cannot keep waiting for my goals to be perfect or sound as good as anyone else’s. So today, with a full and grateful heart, I am so excited to finally share my 2016 goals and April tending list with y’all!

2016 Annual Goals:

1. Strengthening my relationship with God by studying the Word.
2. Budget and steward our money more aggressively and intentionally, both personally and in business.
3. Focus more intentionally on our marriage; to go on more adventures and commit to more unplugged time together.
4. To find content joy in everyday, where we are, now. To be present.
5. Healthy lifestyle. This guy has been on my list every year. This year, I need your help to take more action on this! It’s always the one that falls to the bottom of the list…
6. To organize and systemize the back end of HHE.
7. To simplify life by having less stuff. Also, by doing less, with more intention, passion and vigor.
8. To build community and nurture relationships by hosting in our home and putting myself out there.
9. Build margin into my calendar and plan ahead to accomplish more with less overwhelm.
10. To become a morning person and take advantage of that quiet time.

April Goals:

1. Clear the physical clutter – we have too much stuff and there is no time like the present!
2. Get up 30 minutes earlier every week. To do this and not feel overwhelmed when I get up, set out everything the night before (clothes, Bible, coffee, breakfast, stuff for work, etc.)
3. Read and complete one set of verses from my Write the Word journal every day.
4. Have at least 2 coffee dates with friends – face to face.
5. Unplugged date night every week. We already do this, but I’d like to try something new each week to shake things up.
6. Finish refined HHE client experience drafts.
7. Sunday afternoon weekly planning – sit down for 30 minutes every week to plan out my week or weeks ahead and build in time to recharge.

I am a firm believer that community is a key part to us succeeding in life, whether it’s goal related or not. If you are a power sheets user and haven’t heard of the new website community, go now! Run, don’t walk, over here! Regardless, if there is any way I can encourage you or you just need someone to talk to, please get in touch. I love meeting new people! Happy April, loves and I know you can do it. Make this month amazing!

xoxo, Jenn