We all thought 2020 would look way different than it does now. Now that we're winding down to the last few months of this year, I wanted to talk about revisiting or renewing your goals as we close out a tough, draining, and taxing chapter of our lives.

I plan to set monthly goals for the last four months of 2020. Setting monthly goals seems more practical for me right now than focusing on the whole year. Let’s face it: when I write yearly goals, I hardly ever go back and look at them until the new year is coming once again. So, I will share how my August Goals went and help you set your monthly goals.

Let’s get into it!

For August, I decided to participate in the Whole 30 challenge with @blackgirlswhowhole30. Whole 30 isn’t this diet or fad; it is a program to help you figure out what foods trigger you. As someone struggling with weight loss, heartburn, acne, body aches, and inflammation, I wanted to try it. 

Now listen, when I tell you everything I had to give up, you might stop reading, buuuuuttt stick around!

Whole 30 Guidelines

• No Added Sugar(real or artificial)

• No Alcohol(NOOOONNNEE)

• No Grains-wheat, rye, barley, oats corn, rice, quinoa

• No Legumes-beans, peas, chickpeas, lentil, peanuts, soy, edamame, tofu

• No Dairy

• No carrageenan, MSG, or sulfites

• No Canola Oil

• No baked goods, junk foods, or treats with Whole 30 approved ingredients

• No stepping on the scale

Whew, Chile! I know that’s a lot but I am so happy to say I made it!! EVEN through a hurricane scare and my mama buying bread, ice cream, and all kinds of yummy things. I didn’t touch any of it.

How did I do this?

I was very realistic with myself and proactive with planning meals. I know I like to eat good food so if I wait until the day of to figure out food for the day that I would fail. On Fridays or Saturdays, I would view the menu suggestions @blackgirlswhowhole30 sent and I would look at some Whole 30 recipes from Clean Foodie Cravings. From there, I would type my menu out for the week in my iPhone notes. Then, I made groceries based upon my menu for the week. We also took out almost anything that could tempt us, or we ate it right before the challenge. I think that is major if your goal is eliminating some type of food from your diet and you know you don’t have the willpower, then get it out of the house.

I also had my husband, my friend Ashley, and @blackgirlswhowhole30 as accountability partners. It was always nice to have someone to check in on your progress. It’s a super plus to have people who have the same goal as you to get you through it.

It’s safe to say that August is coming to an end, and one of my September goals is to simply safely reintroduce these food groups back into my life. I don’t want to fall back into unhealthy habits. This is the best I have felt in a very long time. If I reintroduce everything all at once, then I won’t know what foods caused the negative effects in my body.

Enough about me, let’s talk about you! I am going to share how to set monthly goals that can work for you!

How to Set Monthly Goals?

• Be realistic

  • Are you really going to knock out 20 goals in one month? Probably not. Your goal doesn’t have to be big, sometimes, it’s best to keep it simple when just beginning.

  • Choose 1 or 2 goals per month.

• Put it in ACTION

  • Make them SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound)

    • For example, if your goal is to start a blog. Don’t just say start a blog. Aim for this “Create a fashion blog using WordPress and have three blog posts uploaded by the end of the month.”

  • Record those 1 or 2 goals in a planner, on an index card, in your phone notes, and in your calendar. This constantly reminds you of what you are focusing on for the month. 

  • Break your goal into small steps you can do every day. If every day isn’t realistic, aim for every week.

  • Detox anything around you that can get in the way of reaching your goal.

    • For example, if your goal is to give up bread. Remove bread from your house, don’t stop at burger places to eat, and have a plan if you’re going to eat out.

• Find a way to hold yourself accountable

  • Post that goal everywhere you can. On the fridge, mirror, in your car, in your office, etc

  • Set reminders on the phone of your action items for that day.

  • If planners are your thing, leave your planner open and place it in a place you visit daily,

  • Have an accountability partner that can help you throughout the month. This is important on those days you want to give up.

• Plan to treat yourself once you meet your goal.

  • I mean, everyone deserves an award for major accomplishments. You stuck to that goal all month and can check it off your list. Whyyyyy not celebrate that win? I can’t tell you how to celebrate yourself but do whatever floats your boat as long as it doesn’t hinder the progress you made all month. Treat yourself, don’t cheat yourself!!

Need some ideas for your September Goal?

Work Goals

• Have a set time to check emails

• Decorate your office space

• Take an online class

Fitness Goals

• Walk 3 x a week

• Do yoga in the morning

• Stretch every night before bed.

Health Goals

• Eliminate sugar

• No soda

• Monitor water intake to drink half of your body weight.

• No Alcohol

• Limit eating out to once a week or once every 2 weeks,

Financial Goals

• No eating out for the entire month.

• Open an emergency savings account

• Create a budget 

Self-Care Goals

• Journal at the end of each day

• Fast from social media

• Spend quiet time with God at the beginning of each day

• Read one book a month.

Personal/Spiritual Goals

• Make your bed up every morning

• Declutter the house

• Pick Up a new hobby

• Do something you have been putting off for way too long

• Read a chapter of the bible a day.

• Write your prayers out daily

Click here to download a FREE SMART Goals Worksheet Printable.

Scriptures to Meditate on

Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 NIV

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

Proverbs 16:3 NLT

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?

Luke 14:28 NIV

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