Goals Archives | A Curly Transition

January 2, 2019 by Dominique R. Bounds Leave a Comment

January Goals – 2019 Goals Series

January Goals - 2019 Goal Series: Starting the year of 2019, I will be posting my monthly goals and status checks in order to keep me accountable and on task.

Hey Curlies,

The end of the year was a busy time for me so I was a little ghost on the blogging front but I was fairly active on the social media front. Starting the year of 2019, I will be posting my monthly goals and status checks in order to keep me accountable and on task.

Word (s) of the Year

After some slight thought, I decided on my word(s) for the year. Unlike most, I don’t think deeply or pray intensively about my word choices. Instead I go with the first word that comes to mind which meant that the last two years previous I had the same word. This year two words came to my mind:

Small – For several years, I have been making large scale changes to my life but I think that my life is stable enough that now I can focus extensively on the details. Making numerous small changes that allow me slightly change and enhance my life.

Steadfast – resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering

As a result of making numerous large changes to my life I didn’t have to worry about being steadfast. Once the changes were made, they were made. But with making small changes and for the changes I am making being steadfast is required. Without it, my small changes would revert and essentially be useless.

Books, Goals & Routines

Books – I am choosing to read some of them will be read in their entirety during the month while others will be spread out through the year or over several months. Feel free to follow up and my status via GoodReads.

Lifestyle Blogging Basics – Laura Lynn
Getting Things Done – David Allen
It Starts with Food – Melissa Hartwig
The Miracle Morning – Hal Elrod
Fresh Start Journal – Valerie Woerner

Goals – I will be using a combinations of Things, PowerSheets, and various planners to track these goals throughout the year. Goals for the month will be indicated by listing the overachieving goals (see here), and listing the “small” monthly task that will be achieved.

1. Master Budget Planning & Plan Consistently
– Manage & Establish Budget
– Complete Daily, Weekly, Payday, and Monthly Reviews

2. Radically Change my View and Care of Myself as a Whole
– Complete the Whole 30
– Revise my Exercise Routine
– Update, Revise, and Make New Daily Routines

3. Correctly & Positively Train and Love The Pupster
– The Pupster’s Training & Exercise

4. Develop and Maintain a Lasting and Realistic Relationship with Christ
– Fresh Start Journal & attending Woodside Church
– Morning & Nightly Prayers

5. Treat my Business as a Business
– Blog Consistently and Follow the Block Schedule
– Send out emails twice monthly
– Advertise & Marketing

6. Develop and Maintain a Hair Regimen
– Analyze & Change my Winter Hair Routine

Routines – I am attempting to update, revise, and build various routines in my every day.

Financial Checks (Daily, Weekly, Pay Week & Monthly
1. Daily Checks
– Check Bank Accounts & Write Balances
– Update Mint transaction categories
– Check Budget Envelopes

2. Weekly Checks
– Check Bank Accounts
– Check Mint Transaction Category graphs
– Fill Budget Envelopes
– Sort money emails into appropriate folders

3. Pay Week Checks
– Ensure money is deposited correctly
– Ensure Envelopes are funded correctly
– Ensure Funds are funded & pay bills

4. Monthly Check
– Check Credit Score
– Net- worth check
– Update Budget Spreadsheet
– Build next month’s budget in financial planner

Daily Routines
1. AM Routine
– Feed the Pupster
– Prayer
– Read
– Yoga/Stretching
– Eat & Cook
– Bathe. Wash. Dress
– Walk Nyx

2. Post-Work Routine
– Feed the Pupster
– Prayer
– Read
– Yoga/Stretching
– Eat & Cook
– Bathe. Wash. Dress
– Walk Nyx

3. PM Routine
– Walk the Pupster
– Bathe. Clothes. Stretch
– Read
– Take out the Pupster’s Food
– Prayer

Exercise Routines
1. Morning
– Stretch
– Yoga
– Walk

2. Afternoon
– Physical Therapy Exercises
– Weights
– Running

Also, I am going to attempt to make a left sidebar with trackers so that the status of these can be seen through the month. Let’s see how the month goes.

Let me know your January Goals! Leave a note in the comments!

You May Have Missed These Posts:
Organizing & Planning My Day to Day
2019 Budget & Finance Goals
2019 PowerSheet Goals
2019 Book List

December 14, 2018 by Dominique R. Bounds Leave a Comment

2019 Budget & Finance Goals

Earlier this week I shared my overall goals and my book list for 2019. There are currently two areas of the 2019 Goal Series that i have yet to share: Budget & Finance, and Word of the Year. Today, I will be taking a large leap of faith and transparency in sharing my Budget & Financial Goals for 2019.

Overall Budget & Finance Goals

One of my overall goals includes “Master Budget Planning & Consistently Follow the Plan with the following action steps:
– Develop a Master Budget for the Year
– Use My Financial Planner to Plan Each Paycheck
– Locate and Use an app for on the go management

These goals are just a small portion of my overall financial plan.One of my major goals is to follow Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University and the Seven Baby Steps with step one being to save $1000 towards Emergency Savings, and step 2 being to pay down debt using debt snowball. Of course the debt avalanche allows you to pay less interest, but I am a visual person so the snowball it shall be for me.

Building out the Plan

In order to make sure I follow the plan exactly, I built out a massive spreadsheet to track my income, savings, expenses, bills, debt, sinking funds, and subscriptions for the year. Once I completed that I filled it for baseline, and through the month of January. Additionally, I pre filled out the debt tracker to see how much debt I would pay off this year.

2019 Budget & Finance Goals: There are currently two areas of the 2019 Goal Series that i have yet to share: Budget & Finance, and Word of the Year. Today, I will be taking a large leap of faith and transparency in sharing my Budget & Financial Goals for 2019

If I can manage to get second income, I can use the second income to pay off my debt faster. Also, hopefully, I can manage to get the blog to make some additional income with in the next year so that it can pay for its own expense as right now it comes out of my own money. I am hoping to locate a video, movie, and TV show subscription service that does everything that Netflix and Hulu does, but that has yet to happen.

Searching for an App

Regarding an app for on the go management, I have been flirting with the idea of using Everydollar, GoodBudget, Pennies, or continuing with my Simple app. Everydollar is amazing because it continues with the Dave Ramsey principles, but Simple seems to do almost everything. I will let you know once I get a good idea of which path I go down. At this point, my 2019 Financial Goals include the following:

2019 Financial Goals.
– Develop a Master Budget for the Year
– Use My Financial Planner to Plan Each Paycheck
– Locate and Use an app for on the go management
– Complete Baby Step 1
– Complete Baby Step 2
– Earn Second Income

What are some of your financial goals for year? What budgeting app do you use? Has the Dave Ramsey system worked for you? Leave your answers in the comments below.

2019 Book List

Today I am sharing my book list for 2019! Previous years I have done well with keeping up with my book reading through a mixture of audiobooks and physical books. This will be one of the first years that I pair my books for years up with my goals as well as some additional fiction books for fun for a total of about 41 books. I will be attempting to read about 3 books a month. Feel free to locate me on the Good Read App, and hopefully, I remember to rate them after I am complete. I would love to know what you are reading as well.

In case you missed my 2019 Powersheet Goals post, you will find it here!

Master Budget Planning & Consistently Follow the Plan
1) Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence – Vicki Robin
2) The Millionaire Next Door – Thomas J Stanley & William D. Danko
3) Complete Guide to Money – Dave Ramsey
4) Total Money Makeover – Dave Ramsey
5) Love Your Life, Not Theirs – Rachel Cruze

Correctly and Positively Train & Love The Pupster
6) Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love – Zak George

Develop and Maintain a Lasting and Realistic Relationship with Christ
7) Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God – Timothy Keller
8) What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done – Matt Perman
9) How to Pray – C.S. Lewis
10) E.M. Bounds on Prayer
11) The Set- Apart Woman: God’s Invitation to Sacred Living – Leslie Ludy
12) Writing in the Margin: Connecting with Good on the Pages of Your Bible – Lisa Nichols Hickman

Radically Change My View and Care of Myself as a Whole
13) Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives – Richard A. Swenson, MD
14) Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity – Saundra Dalton- Smith, MD
15) Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Reserve Nerve Damage, and Reclaim Good Health – Richard Jacoby & Racquel Baldelomar

Treat My Business and a Business
16) Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine: Mike Michalowicz
17) Building a StoryBrand: Clarifying Your Message So Customers Will Listen – Donald Miller
18) Business Boutique: A Woman’s Guide for Making Money Doing What She Loves – Christy Wright
19) How to Style Your Brand: Everything You Need to Know to Create a Distinctive Brand Identity – Fiona Humberstone
20) Brand Brilliance: Elevate Your Brand, Enchant Your Audience – Fiona Humberstone

Minimalist Lifestyle
21) The Curated Closet: A Simple System for Discovering Your Personal Style and Building Your Dream Wardrobe – Anuschka Rees
22) Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less – Greg McKeown
23) A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living – Emily Ley
24) Simply Clean: The Proven Method for Keeping Your Home Organized, Clean, and Beautiful in Just 10 Minutes a Day – Becky Rapinchuk

Complete the GRE & Be Accepted to the Master of Arts in School Counseling program
Magoosh GRE
Manhattan Prep – GRE

Solidify Friendships and Familial Relationships
25) Never Unfriended: The Secret to Finding and Keeping Lasting Friendships – Lisa-Jo Baker
26) Family Worship – Donald S. Whitney
27) Known: Finding Deep Friendships in a Shallow World – Dick & Ruth Foth

Mystery Goal
Still not sure I am willing to share this goal and the books for it would give it away.

Develop and Maintain a Hair Regimen
28) Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – James Clear

Books for Fun – Novels & Series
29) The Miracle Morning: The Not-So Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life Before 8am – Hal Elrod
30) The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming – Sally Clarkson
31) The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern
32-36) Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children Series – Ransom Riggs (Reread the first couple and finish the series) (4 books total)
37- 41) A Court of Thorns & Roses Series – Sarah J. Maas (4 books total)

December 10, 2018 by Dominique R. Bounds Leave a Comment

2019 Powersheet Goals

Master Budget Planning & Consistently Follow the Plan
As I get older it becomes more important that I master and finances especially because at some point in time I wish to have a family. It is important that I continue to build my emergency fund, pay down my debt, and save towards my retirement. Therefore, I will make a master budget plan for the year, and follow it throughout the year making small adjustments as required.

Why: To learn to better manage my finances in order to have the life I desire.

Action Steps:
– Develop a Master Budget for Year
– Use My Finances Planner to Plan Each Month
– Locate and Use an app for on the go management

Correctly and Positively Train & Love The Pupster
There continues to be some training and things I want the Pupster to learn. As I decided to get a dog it is my responsibility to make sure he is a loving, protective, and well-trained member of the dog society.

Why: To ensure he is well-trained and loving.

Action Steps:
– Research additional training techniques and commands for him to learn.
– Enroll the Pupster in a class (agility, nosework, etc)

Develop and Maintain a Lasting and Realistic Relationship with Christ
During the year 2018, I feel as though my relationship with Christ has taken a backburner to my life. I need to remember that Christ is the reason for my life, and I need to continue to place him first in everything I do.

Why: To develop a deep and lasting relationship with Christ

Action Steps:
– Complete ValMariePaper’s Fresh Start Journal
– Read the bible in one year
– Maintain an active prayer life

Radically Change My View and Care of Myself as a Whole
My view of my body and overly care of myself has been pretty jaded as of late. While I don’t want to engage in the self-care world, I do think that the way I view myself should change.

Why: Because I want to love myself and view myself in a more loving way.

Action Steps:
– Make a plan of exercise and nutrition
– Practice intentional eating
– ???????

Treat My Business and a Business
I have had a pretty relaxed attitude about running A Curly Transition and while I have numerous ideas, I am not going to get anyway continuing this way. As a result, I need to have more discipline and be strategetic regarding the business aspects in order to grow.

Why: I have dreams and goals for the business and the things I wish for it. Additionally, I would love to make some additional income.

Action Steps:
– Invest in more courses & tools
– Follow my schedule religiously
– Get and use a business planner

Minimalistic Lifestyle
Considering I am living in a much smaller apartment at this time, living a minimalistic lifestyle has become more important than before.

Why: To learn to live with less stuff and be happier with less.

Action Steps:
– Create a capsule wardrobe
– Listen to podcast and read books about the lifestyle
– Minimalist Finances, apartment, and other minimalist things

Complete the GRE & Be Accepted to the Master of Arts in School Counseling program
Sadly taking the GRE is a prerequisite for being accepted in graduate school. Gaining a masters is required for entrance in the Ph.D. program.

Why: It is a step towards my final goal of earning a Ph.D

Action Steps:
– Schedule the test
– Study and take the GRE by May 2019
– Apply for the program

Solidify Friendships and Familial Relationships
While I do have some close friendships my familial relationships are not amazing. Mostly I haven’t cared much about the nature of my familial relationships, I have decided to attempt to make them stronger. Also, I have decided to be more intentional about friendships as much as I am able.

Why: The relationships you make in the world help to define you.

Action Steps:
– Make standing lunch/dinner dates with friends or set phone conversations.
– Attempt to have intentional conversation with the various members of my family

Mystery Goal
This goal is more personal based and I have yet to decide if I want to share it.

Develop and Maintain a Hair Regimen
I have had hair goals since I was a young child, and as I near a major hair goal it is time that I strength my routine.

Why: Hair Goals, Duh.

Action Steps:
– Develop a wash, condition, and henna routine
– Keep low manipulation routine
– Continue to use hair oil and cream
– Continue to take hair vitamins.

Within the upcoming week and month be on the luck out for the following posts:
2019 Book List
2019 Word of the Year
2019 Budgeting & Finance Plan

November 21, 2018 by Dominique R. Bounds Leave a Comment

Conversations & Thoughts When Running Your First Half-Marathon

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Conversation & Thoughts When Running Your First Half-Marathon - In keeping with my Fantastic 40, I decided this year was a good time to complete my goal to run a half marathon. Another reason I decided to complete it was that I met my amazing (now former) coworker who runs marathons on a regular.

In keeping with my Fantastic 40, I decided this year was a good time to complete my goal to run a half marathon. Another reason I decided to complete it was that I met my amazing (now former) coworker who runs marathons on a regular. After talking with her and finally fessing up that I alway wanted to run a half and a full marathon, we decided that the Detroit Marathon would be amazing for me to run for the first time. My whole goal was to complete the race in under 3 hours.

My first month of training was EXTREMELY difficult, and I went through some mental and body issues , push through it. Previously, I would easily run up to five miles with no issues, but after a year of exercise restriction, I was starting completely over. I could barely run half a mile. A half a freaking mile! But finally, I just muscled through and managed to run 3 miles. After that, it was mostly (kinda, but not really) full sailing.

This conversation is a basic overview of my thoughts and conversations during my first half-marathon with my friend, Courtney. Hopefully it is insightful and possibly slightly entertaining. I know the whole thing was mind blowing for me.

Starting Line

Me: Lord Jesus! There are a ton of people out here. So many more than running a 5K. I will be trampled. Tell me I am not doing this. I am actually doing this. Is it too late to back out now?

Courtney: Yes. Yes, it is. You will be fine.

Me: Oh shit I said that out loud. Lmao!

Miles 0 -1

Me: Okay. This isn’t bad. My legs are really cold. But this isn’t that bad. Okay I just started though. I hope my legs don’t cramp up.

Courtney: Why do you think we are going to slow? Stop pace pushing. We aren’t even at mile one yet. Calm down.

Miles 1 – 2

Me: Still not bad. My legs are still freezing. People are already ditching clothes. Wait? Is she is wearing shorts right now? Is she freaking insane? It is freezing out here. My legs are going numb. Wait that’s probably a good thing. I won’t feel my calves lock up.

Courtney: Yea I don’t know how people are running half naked and numb legs might be a good thing. The dude running in the trash bag has a good idea though because he will keep his warmth in.

Miles 3 – 4

Courtney: Okay so we are coming up on the bridge. I am going to ditch my sweater now. Are you ready for this incline?

Me: Ugh! No. LMAO! Okay let’s go. The Canadian Border Patrol is pretty nice other than the screaming, “Where’s your bib?” Oh look, she tried to run across the border without her bib. Lord this bridge is killing me. I should have ran more hills.

Courtney: At the rest station off the bridge we will stop to eat and drink. Okay. This view is pretty good.

Me: It’s amazing. This really isn’t bad. I am still pretty pumped and excited I did this. Also, I am very shocked that I haven’t stopped to walk yet. (Sidenote – We were freaking crawling because I have no pace control and it was my first half so this probably why I hadn’t stopped to walk).

Miles 4 – 6

Me: Okay. I really have to go to the bathroom. Badly. I’m sorry. I gotta stop.

Courtney: What is up with your bladder? There are some portables. Just don’t stop moving or you will cramp up.

Me: Okay. (Wait in line for 15 minutes and have a random conversation with a lady in line). Okay I am done. Lets go.

Courtney: I just saw a penguin run pass.

Me: Ahh man. (Right before the tunnel)….Look there are some bananas.

Courtney: There are always bananas. Lol.

Miles 6 – 8

Me: This tunnel is so warm. OMG! Look the penguin.

Courtney: Yup that’s the penguin. How many kilometers is a mile? I have the hardest time with that.

Me: Yea. Idk. I do as well. I struggle with knowing if it’s less or more miles. I think more right?

Courtney: Can’t be. A 5K is 3.1 miles. So less.

Me: Crap! It is. Lol. We are too smart for this.

Courtney: Don’t worry our brain power is on reserve for more running. LMAO.

Miles 8 – 10

Me: Where the hell are we? Is this Corktown? What backroad did we take to get to Corktown? Seriously?!

Courtney: I don’t know know. Once we passed underneath Cobo I lost track.

Miles 10 – 12

Me: Look. Everyone is slowing down. My feet are killing me and I want to stop. But I am afraid that if I stop I won’t have the energy to start up again.

Courtney: You are doing great. We are nearly done. Just push through it.

Miles 12-13.1

Me: Dude. We have been running behind that speedwalker for the longest time. He is freaking moving. Someone behind us is running with their dad and he looks to be about 80 years old. He’s a boss.

Courtney: That’s awesome. He’s (speedwalker) making good time. I wonder if he’s going to do the whole marathon.

Me: He’s moving over to the marathon lane. Lord. He’s moving man.

Courtney: He’s making great time. People speed walk these things all the time. We are almost done. Let’s speed it up and bring it in faster.

Me: Okay.

Finish

Me: I am sitting down now.

Courtney: No. Walk it off. You will stiffen. Lets go get our banana and medal.

Running my first half marathon was AMAZING! I am ready and willing to run another half in the near future. I feel so accomplished and fulfilled. What about you? What goals have you completed lately? Anything coming up soon? Let me know in the comments.

October 29, 2018 by Dominique R. Bounds Leave a Comment

End of the Year Goals

As we are coming quickly upon the last two months of year, I am in the process of preparing the goals that will allow me to end 2018 and start 2019. It is highly important that I start the preparation for an intentional 2019, and these goals will help me with the transition.

1. Word and Goals for 2019

As we discussed previously, each year I define a word for the year and make goals around that word. This year the tradition continues and I believe that I may have two words for the year.

2. Find and Order a Planner System & Goal Planner

Currently I am using a bullet journal to organize my life, and I am considering either continuing to bullet journal but using a TN (Traveler’s Notebook), or returning to my Filofax system as a bullet journal. For my goal planner, I am using Lara Casey’s Powersheets (already ordered), and I believe that my work planner will continue to be a bullet journal.

3. Locate the Books that I will read for the year and pair some of them to my goals

Typically, I pair books to my goals, and read additional books for personal development. For 2019, that trend will continue.

4. Financial Assessments

I will be making end of the year financial assessments for my financial goals, and debt assessment. I use this time to discover the holes in my financial plans, or make changes to my insurance, HSA, retirement plans, and etc.

5. Continue to Decorate and Organize My Apartment

After two months of living in my new apartment, my living room and bedroom are mostly complete. But I will be continuing to organize the living first before I start on the rest of the house.

6. Study for and Take the GRE

I wish to transfer my master’s program to the university where I get free tuition, but in order to do that I have complete the GRE. I have been putting it off for years, but if I get a good enough score I won’t need to retake it for admission to the Ph.D.

7. Study for Take the SOCRA

The SOCRA is a certification test that is required for advancement within my career. I have signed up for the test, but I have yet to actually take it.

8. Work on Personal Wellness

Working on personal wellness is a necessary at this point in my life. After achieving my goal of running a half marathon (talking about that on Friday), I am ready to complete the rest of my wellness goals such as the following:

Loss 30lbs
Exercise and Run on a regular schedule
Return to eating healthy

Goal Series 2018 – https://acurlytransition.com/goal-series-2018/
Developing & Setting My Goals – https://acurlytransition.com/developing-setting-my-goals/