Be SMART About Your Goals

If you're like me, then this time of year brings with it thoughts of change and resolution. It's time to take a look at my life and see what things I'd like to improve or eliminate. And if you're like me, then you might succeed at a few of those things over the course of the next few weeks and months. I was reminded yesterday of something I had heard a long time ago, but it kind of stuck this time, and I think I'm going to use it as I set some personal goals (and we'll use it together on our family goals) for the coming year. The trick is to be SMART.

S is for Specific

M is for Measurable

A is for Attainable

R is for Realistic

T is for Timeframe

My goals need to be specific. Instead of saying 'I need to lose some weight', I might say 'I need to lose 15 pounds over the next two months.' That's nice and specific, so I'll be able to measure myself.

My goals need to be measurable. I've got to be able to measure my progress so I know when I've reached my goal and when to keep working.

My goals need to be attainable. When it comes to goals, nothing is as disheartening as not achieving what I set out to do. So I need to make my goals attainable right from the start.

Going along with attainable, my goals need to be realistic. What could be a good goal for someone else, might not be realistic for me. So I need to set goals that are in line with my life right now.

And my goals need to have a time frame. A nice deadline for when I'd like to achieve my goal gives it some urgency, and a reason to work on it now instead of putting it off until tomorrow. Nothing says I can't extend that deadline if I feel like it later, but having a time in mind for when I'd like to attain is good incentive.

Nuts is for Squirrels

We were at grandma's house a few days ago. Nothing unusual, we like to visit there frequently. Grandpa likes nuts, and had a bowl of them sitting out. Most people were helping themselves, everyone except Anna. Grandma, noticing that Anna wasn't getting any snacks, asked her if she wanted some? Anna's response: "No, nuts is for squirrels."

Livi's Letter to Santa

We found this stuffed into one of the Christmas stockings hanging in the living room the other night.  We didn't know she'd written it, but loved reading Livi's letter to Santa.

(Trans. 'Santa, I want a new pony, please.  Anna wants a princess.  Mommy wants a chocolate.  Jarom wants a new blanket.  Can you give my papa a new pair of work pants?  That's what all of us [want for Christmas].  Will you really bring those stuff?')

House of Giggles

Our home is a house of giggles.

Livi began her nightly prayers as usual, blessing all her loved ones and asking for help to be good. She reached the part of her prayer where she began to bless her Uncle Nathan who is serving a LDS mission in Brazil.

"Bless Uncle Nate in Brazil, that he may be healthy and strong. Help him to serve well and to learn porkajeez . . . porgadeese . . . porjajeeze . . . porjakeez . . . porkageese . . . pordajeeze . . . "

By the third or fourth attempt at saying Portuguese, the once quiet and reverent tone of the girl's bedroom was beginning to be disrupted by Matt's attempts to stifle his laughter. Tricia, coming into the room at about the third attempt quickly dodged into the other bedroom as to not become a distraction with her giggling. Livi, the trooper, tried and tried to say Portuguese a task she has been completing nightly for the four months Nate has been in Brazil. Finally when Anna began to giggle she had to stop and giggle for a minute too.

After calming down somewhat and practicing the right way to say "Portuguese", Papa told her to finish her prayer.

"Bless Uncle Nate in Brazil, that he may be healthy and strong. Help him to serve well and to learn . . . porkajeez . . . porkageese . . . porajeeze . . . . . . "

Our Blog

I found out last night that "everybody" has a blog and most people have several. Well, we have never had a blog, or even been involved with a blog, so I thought I would try and set one up. We have to be like everybody else . . . right?

We are the Robison's; Matt, Tricia, Olivia (5), Anna (3) and Jarom (3 months).