31 Day Challenge to Be a Better Me – Day One

It was this last Friday afternoon that I discovered that the trouble I went through to postpone a payment would not take effect in time for this month. Everything I had (in time, patience and money) went towards remedying the situation. By the end of the afternoon I was tired, frustrated and yet determined to fix the problem.

When times get tough or overwhelming it is sometimes easier to fold in on myself than it is to deal with the problems or I may just start pointing fingers. I’m still not sure what triggered the change, but I felt challenged instead of defeated. The rest of the evening was spent thinking about and praying about the next steps I would take in my life to correct every point, situation or problem – from my family to my home to my writing and even my weight.

Taking Control of My Life

I am responsible. It doesn’t matter who else is in the family, relationship, group or business. I can only blame myself when things don’t get done. All I need to do is follow through on my list and not only will I get things done but I will begin to be the example to my children that I need to be.

No More Excuses:

1. Each pet that lives in our home or is part of our family deserves love and affection each and every day. I may not WANT to go outside and pet the dogs and I can come up with plenty of excuses not to go out but that doesn’t make my inaction right.

2. This house deserves to be clean and sparkly and homey. It does not have to be a showroom but it does have to be comfortable. This will require releasing some of those things that I have hung on to for reasons other than I enjoy them and I use them.

3. Our finances are NOT where they should be. Cutting spending is only the first step. It is time for me to step up and earn more. Immediate income is fine and there are possibilities. But long term income is the ultimate goal. Some of the steps that I can take:


a. Query two print publications each week – regional and national.
b. Query two new potential jobs each week.
c. Write 18 blog posts each week for personal blogs.
d. Write 4000 words each week on fiction material.

4. My weight is out of control. I have used the excuse of pregnancy, lack of time and almost anything else that you can invent. The truth is that I eat more than my body needs. I can choose NOT to do that or continue to let my body be out of control.

5. This family deserves my best. Taking the easy way out – sending them down to grandpas or off to the neighbors – is no longer an option. I should expect my family to be with me and treasure that time together (yes this does include time with my husband 😉 ).

Today is a new day for me. It’s not about anyone else but me. I want to be more, to be better, to reach for the all that I was woven to be. It will not be an easy path but putting the words down is the first step to success.

It doesn’t matter how many times you start as long as you continue working towards your goals. There is no failure until you quit trying. The next 31 days I am challenging myself to continue to try. What can you do in the next 31 days that will push you on towards reaching your goal?