Ashley's Progress

I am finally getting around to reporting my progress. This has been a great experience so far. I have never been very good with time management, and this is main area the goals group has helped me improve in. Balance is the word I'm focusing on for 2008 and these goals are helping me do that. I am a visual person, so it helps me to write out my goals for the day (by emaling my partner) and check them off as a I complete them. I have also found it helpful to record my progress in the little book I made.

Personal [1. Take a self-portrait for 365 days 2. Sing a duet in public]

It's pretty tough to take a self-portrait every day. You wouldn't think it would be that hard, but it is easy to forget or to get creative shots all the time. I have been pretty consistent, with the exception of missing a couple of days due to illness.

I did sing a duet in public, and it was one of the scariest things I've ever done. I felt like I was going to pass out, but I did it, and I'm glad that I did.

Physical [1. Work out 3x/week 2. Go to bed by 11:30 on week nights]
This sounds simple, I know, but Fall quarter I was so consumed with school that I didn't work out at all. My goals helped motivate me to make it a priority. I now go to aerobics at the church Monday and Wednesday mornings (I have class Friday mornings so I can't go then), and I try to add exercise on another day of the week in some other form. Sometimes it is DDR with Wendel and others it is just walking around the neighborhood. Near the end of Spring quarter (which I just finished a week ago) and into my two-week break, I haven't been so great about that third day. I went to Utah for my sister's wedding and then have been sick for my break thus far, so my exercising hasn't been the best, but it's so much better than it would have been without these goals. I really feel better and enjoy the aerobics classes.

We have done pretty good about being in bed by 11:30 (not always asleep right away, but at least in bed by then). The exception is when I have a paper due (Wendel edits it for me and together we work on it, which usually takes hours, so we're up late.) This is pretty big for us, since we're used to staying up until 1 or later. We're trying to get it down to being in bed by 11 so we can be asleep by 11:30, but at least we've made some progress.

Spiritual [1. Read/listen to the Book of Mormon in 90 days 2. Read To Draw Closer to God by Henry B. Eyring]

I have been pretty consistent about listening to or reading from the Book of Mormon daily. I usually read three chapters a day, but sometimes only one or two. I am in Alma 48, and right on track for finishing it in time. I have enjoyed listening as I drive to and from school, and although I don't get quite as much out of it as when I read, it is good to have a refresher on the overview of the book, and it is uplifting to listen to scriptures rather than the radio on the way to class. On the times when I do read rather than listen, I have gained personal insight and increased my understanding. Having a little of both (listening and reading) has been good.

Reading To Draw Closer to God has been insightful. It is a compilation of talks and articles by President Eyring, all focused on how we can bring ourselves closer to God. I really love this book, and I feel uplifted as I read from it. I haven't read from it every day, but I do read from it often. I have always wanted to make reading books by General Authorities a regular part of my life but never did until these goals. When I finish this one, I want to read another, and continue to do so throughout my life.

Financial [Set aside money to build our food storage]
I placed an order with Sharon Knowlton and have a date set at the cannery to can some food. We also purchased water for our food storage. It feels good to make progress in this area because it's something we know is important but we needed the extra motivation to do it.

Mental [Get As in all classes]
I just received my grades from Spring Quarter yesterday. I got a 3.8, 3.9, and 4.0 in my classes. A lot of my time and energy goes into school. The goal group helped me prioritize, which helped me achieve these grades.

Overall, I love this goal group. As I said above, it has really helped me with time management, not just with the goals I have been working on, but with everything in my life. It has helped to have someone to report my day to. I have really enjoyed working with Laurel. It is also helpful to know that everyone in the group is working toward their individual goals, and that I'm not doing this alone. Thanks guys!

Heather's Goals

I didn't really have any earth shattering goals for this 90 day set. I really just wanted to get my life under control and start doing all the things I know I should, but never leave time for. I can definitely feel a difference. LeAnn has been an amazing partner. She gets so much done everyday. I literally cringe at the thought of not having progress to report for her at our nightly check-ins! I can't let her down!

So, one of my goals was to read the missionary reference library. I finished Our Search for Happiness and am on page 529 of Jesus the Christ. I have tried to read Jesus the Christ twice before. Both times I made it a few hundred pages in and then just quit. So, I am officially further than I've ever been, with no signs of stopping. I have read 16 pages every single day. I realize this isn't very much, but the consistency is what I'm working on, and so far I've done it. I have read my scriptures daily and recorded my thoughts in my Book of Mormon Journal. I've given my personal scripture study more time and thought than I have in years, and the difference has been tremendous. I can actually recall what I read yesterday! Before I couldn't have even told you what book I was in, let alone what I had learned from it.

I've been exercising 5 to 6 times a week. This is huge for me. For the first time in my nearly 30 year existence, I have the faint tracings of muscle definition. Sure, I have to contort my body in super unnatural positions, push the fat to the side and catch the light at just the right angle to see the muscle, but it's there. Oh, it is there. I feel stronger and healthier than ever. I feel like arm wrestling. Or maybe kick boxing. Or maybe just trying to get up the stairs without panting. Either way, I'm feeling pretty dang good.

Probably the project I've enjoyed the most from 90 day goals is my gratitude journal. Well, it started as a gratitude journal, but has morphed into a regular ol' daily life journal with some thanks thrown in. I got this super nifty photo album with 4 x 6 slots already built in. Everyday I put in a journal entry and a few corresponding photographs. It has been a great way to practice my writing and photography skills (both of which I've wanted to develop forever) and a wonderful family history. Mikey actually reads from it everyday. I can easily picture myself doing this for the rest of my life.

I've tried one new recipe a week. Some were keepers, others weren't. But, I'm trying. Natalie is learning her letters at a lightening fast pace. All of a sudden, she has a real desire to read. Apparently, all it took was consistent effort on my part. I'm on my fourth or fifth lesson in the InDesign Classroom in a Book. I love it. Last week I learned all about typography. It was so fun! I've spent more time managing Chad's online sales and working on our finances/budget. I've reaped rewards in both areas, bringing more money in and then using it more wisely. The kids and I have spent at least 3 hours outside every week. This is approximately 2.9 hours more than we would have before 90 day goals. It's been great for all of us. The kids are happier and more active. Now they actually beg me to take them to the park, where I once had to drag them kicking and screaming. I've written at least one note to a loved one daily since the beginning of goals. It's a simple thing, but I've renewed friendships and strengthened bonds. Like everything else, I just needed to make a consistent effort (are you noticing a trend yet?). I am well on the way to earning my Young Women In Excellence medallion, with something like 16 personal progress value experiences finished thus far. Oh, and lastly, my dog is getting better. Don't get me wrong, he's still smelly and annoying, but now he's a smelly and annoying dog that is sometimes fun to play with. If the training continues to go like this, we might actually end up with a real family pet.

Needless to say, I am so incredibly grateful for this goal group, and especially for my partner. This has been an amazing blessing. I can literally feel myself becoming more like the person I've always wanted to be. You have all been such huge inspirations to Chad and I. Keep up the amazing work! We're watching you!!!!
p.s. Sorry for the insanely long entry. Next 90 days I will set a goal to be more concise.

Chad's Goal Progress Blog

Hello all. It's been hard to sit down and right this. Sometimes it's just hard to be accountable. I definitely feel like the fire has cooled a little since beginning this process. I'm coming to realize that there are so many positive things I want out of life, but this session of goals is about eliminating the negatives. Instead of thinking about investing, for example, we have to face first the debts that we owe. Instead of thinking about becoming a better artist, I need to worry first about having money to sustain us while I go through art training and practice. I've come to learn more than ever President Hinckley's counsel that debt is a plague.

So, I've taken more jobs and left my family more than I would've wanted to, all so we could just get out of debt. The constant travel has worn on me, and I haven't lost much weight, and I've only memorized like three more pages of First Nephi. Everything has just taken a back seat to focusing on eliminating negatives. And that kinda sucks, honestly.

But I have made progress in the debt area. I guess that I didn't really realize how bad it was when I set the goal. Once I set the goal, I sat down and figured out just how much we owe, and it's insane. We've been struggling for so long to pay off something - ANYTHING - and nothing has worked. Our smallest debt was a $300 charge, and we've been trying to pay it off for a year. But as much as we've focused on it previously, we just never found that much extra money.

The 90 day goals thing changed all that. Just in the time since we've started 90 day goals, we've paid off tens of thousands of dollars in debt, and plan to pay off tens of thousands more before this whole thing is over. It's nothing short of a God-given miracle. The amount of debt we've paid off is more than I've ever received in just income in the same time period. It's amazing. It's difficult, and it's hampered the accomplishment of a lot of my other goals, but this is more important. It's not a commandment to memorize First Nephi, but it is a commandment to avoid debt. So, I've had to eat some humble pie in that regard, but this is what's better for my family.

One of my goals was to get at least 50% more money from every client and every job. I've doubled my rates across the board, and everyone is apparently still willing to pay me. This has really helped us get out of debt faster, and will allow me to be home more often in the future.

I've also done really well with my knowledge journal. My goal was to learn 500 new things (basically 5 a day) and journal them. It's amazing how much I learn on a daily basis, and writing that down just cements it in my mind. I've learned over 212 new things so far, and it's been a confidence boosting experience. I love it.

I've also started working on my first short animated film, and expect that to be completed at the end of 90 day goals as well. It's a cute cartoon about a snake charmer with a free-spirited snake with A.D.D. It's adorable and all of you should watch it. An artist buddy of mine is making the characters, and I'm animating it and creating the music.

One of my goals was to get two new book contracts. I've got one, and it came out of the blue and it was huge. I'm going to be writing a beginner's Photoshop book for McGraw-Hill, which is really really big. I have another book proposal out there, and I expect to have that signed (which would make my third book) before the 90 days is up.

This wasn't really a goal, but I've also been blessed a lot since 90 day goals started. As just one example of that, I've won THREE awards for my training. (In my whole professional career up to this point, I've never won anything for anything, and since 90 day goals started, I've won all three of these!!). Here's a picture of two of my awards. The metal one was made by the same company that makes the Golden Globe awards, and the glass one came with a pair of white gloves. They're both beautiful and heavy, and I'm pretty happy.



I've also got permission to record video training titles from home. I've had enough extra money to invest in making a new and improved home office that has better acoustics and more room for all my nerd gear. This will mean MUCH more time at home with the family in the future.

My partner has been a great help and inspiration as well. It also just feels great to have such a positive background with all of you. I get happy when I see you at church. I know that you're working hard to be better. I love that this is our history together. Most of you I haven't really known all that well before this, and when I think of you, I think of this goals thing. That's an awesome history to have with someone, and I'm proud of all of you. We're only half way done, so don't throw in the towel. Use the fact that you have a new partner to renew your commitment to a better life.

Paul's Goal Progress Blog

I have really enjoyed the sharing of accountability
and getting to know one another that come with daily phone calls. It has
helped keep me on task and caused me to strive harder. I am glad to be a
part of the group and look forward to the next month.

Dorothy's Goal Progress Blog

Writing out goals, and accounting to myself and
another, has been rewarding because it really allows you to see your
progress. It also urges you to strive with a little more effort and vigor.
I am grateful for this time that we are pulling together. I enjoy seeing
each of us meeting our expectations, and urging each other --- even beyond
our assigned one. I have felt the power of my Heavenly Father in my life as
I reach to achieve the goals I have set.

Laurel Weed's progress

I have been loving this program! Ever since I've become a mom, I have felt like I'm just "doggy paddling" through life. I'd take care of Anna and do what needed to be done, but I felt like I was void of personal life direction. Now, I actually feel like I'm making personal progress. I feel good about myself. Here's my results thus far:

-- I am in Proverbs in the Old Testament. I am right on schedule to finish at the end of 90 days.

-- I have been exercising regularly. This is huge for me because I have struggled with high blood pressure my whole life. I had to be put on medicine when I was pregnant with Anna which was one of the causes of her low birth weight. I am now over half way done with this pregnancy and my blood pressure has never been better.

--I figured out how to rollover our Roth and 401K to a new company. The check for our 401K is in the mail as is the paperwork for the new Roth. I did some research and I'm really excited about our new investment. The old one was basically ripping us off in fees. I'm so glad to have this figured out because the whole process was very daunting to me.

--I am almost done with "Wuthering Heights" which is a book I have wanted to read since high school. In fact, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish before I die when I was a senior in high school and reading this book was on the list.

--I've been regularly watching Photoshop tutorials so that I feel more acquainted with the program. Like, I could actually do some things with the program.

--I am almost done typing up one of Josh's grandma's journals

--I've been getting enough sleep which has made my quality of life so much better. I go to bed at 10:30 and get up at 6:30 and it is refreshing.

--I've been able to gain the appropriate amount of weight for my pregnancy by sticking within my food guidelines. I have definitely been getting proper nutrition during this pregnancy. Being accountable to my partner has really helped me with this.

I am excited for the next month and a half. I actually want to do another "90 days" when this one is over. Ashley has been a great partner.

I hope you're all having success!