SMART goals matrix

... in which our plucky heroine examines progress made in 2014...

On the last day of 2013, my thoughts were on how to begin making the needful changes to have a life congruent with my intentions. "While there are a lot of aspects of life I've no idea how to shift, these three are ones already within my skillset, and like any other part in need of strengthening, repetition should make a difference..."

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely (SMART) goals. Training theory says that X-ing out tickey-boxes is a Useful Signal and helps in changing habits. Realistically, the combination of a monthly active chart, and a larger whole year chart that was filled in every month with progress, did work well to encourage active effort to move forward over the course of the year.

It was surprising to me that I was successful in maintaining my motivation over the whole year, and tempting to simply continue the identical plan into 2015 (if it isn't broken don't fix it). The chart is full, not specifically with the exact items I expected. I included various projects that were done with help. That I am developing an ongoing relationship of mutual assistance with Blue Cedar House is a great pleasure for which I am incredibly grateful. That Kateline has been helping me with my decluttering has made that part of what I want to do possible. Some of my projects are large, some are small, and some were accounted one project when they actually encompassed several or many parts. My choice was to not be rigidly precise in how the various entries were logged, but to put attention on gently moving forward.

rising 60: a year long SMART goals challenge

#	THINGS MADE	THINGS FIXED	THINGS GONE
1	2 Goutte medallions	planner calendar pages	bag to Goodwill
2	2 Jambe medallions	6mo EBT paperwork	bag to paper recycling
3	Pomegranate Laurel	leather sewing thimble	bag to paper recycling
4	fingertipless gloves	front yard trees pruned	bag to paper recycling
5	black owl pendant	apple tree pruned	bag to Goodwill
6	Roman brooches	rivet head micro anvil	yardwaste branches
7	sample transparent reds	new yard rake handle	yardwaste branches
8	knitted pouch, green ramshorn	I: medallion bid	yardwaste branches
9	knitted pouch, multicolor	D.M. coronet bid	yardwaste branches
10	B: SCA trews	AnTir Crowns bid	bag to Goodwill
11	U: medallion setting	gutter clog cleared	bag to Goodwill
12	not-right golden Laurel	Federal taxes	yardwaste branches
13	the right golden Laurel	State taxes	backyard yardwaste
14	knitted pouch, octopodian	side yard clothesline	bag to paper recycling
15	black one-wire Laurel	pegs on coatrack	bag to paper recycling
16	charted knitting design	underdress sleeves	bag to paper recycling
17	bone needle	CR regalia	metal scrap to recycling
18	new green underdress	SR silver chain	bag to Goodwill
19	sports bra	backyard meadow mowed	bag to Goodwill
20	crescent Laurel medallion	half craftwall organised	bag to paper recycling
21	thread-winders	sleeve bands on green gown	bag to Goodwill
22	red rose heart pendant	SPQR pendant setting	bag to Goodwill
23	red rose earrings	craftwall organised	bag to paper recycling
24	2nd sports bra	workbench cleared	bag to paper recycling
25	duvet cover	SR brooch setting	bag to paper recycling
26	embroidered red horses	setting for one Anglo Saxon enamel	bag to paper recycling
27	nine tiny enamels	hem on red silk gown	bag to Goodwill
28	green silk gown for U	green undergown mended	bag to Goodwill
29	1st wool cardweaving	bicycle area cleared	bag to Goodwill
30	blue Pel Laurel	LED switch repaired	cardboard recycled
31	two orb enamels	paper wasp nest destroyed	cardboard recycled
32	wooly pony embroidery	2nd wasp nest destroyed	bag to Goodwill
33	third orb enamel	parking strip planter improved	cardboard recycled
34	1st Pegasus embroidery	north side yard cleared	yardwaste
35	tunic muslin for B	bathroom sink attached	fabric to Goodwill
36	gown muslin for M	bathroom wall repaired	bag to Goodwill
37	2nd Pegasus embroidery	broken toilet seat replaced	yard waste bin
38	2 very tiny Roman enamels	towel holder attached	yard waste bags
39	8 Roman buttons	SCA closet reorganised	Rebuilding Center
40	sample for Fox Paws	carport cleared	paper to Shredfest
41	gown muslin for L	shelves in SCA closet	bag to Goodwill
42	bra pattern for B	herb planter improved	bag to Goodwill
43	sports-bra for B	housefront plantings mulched and weeded	yardwaste bin
44	Norse embroidery pattern	disassemble and clean venerable box fan	5 yardwaste bags
45	Norse collar embroidery	sewing machine shelf	funky red dresser
46	Mindy cuffs embroidery	salad table base	old baby stroller
47	Quince syrup - 5 jars	small raised bed	clay flowerpots
48	Quincemeat - 7 jars	wall anchored lumber	4 Goodwill bags
49	Mindy yoke embroidery	shower handpiece holder	2 paper recycling
50	candied peel	3 bubblepack curtains	1 paper recycling
51	Quincemeat - 7 jars	fingerless gloves mended	4 Goodwill bags
52	Mindy undergown	hem and new pockets on Stacey dress	cardboard boxes
53	red-dyed wool, from pokeberries	new printer cable	yardwaste bin
54	grey slip-dress	shower handpiece encased in rubber	broken cot
55	two kitty face needlebooks	black pinafore edges new bias binding	bag to Goodwill
56	four more kitty needlebooks	new furnace filter	bag to Goodwill
57	acorn ornament	deodorise teak bowl	recycle bin full
58	sekrit santa gift	re-attach downspout	1 paper recycling
59	looper potholder	carved oak plugs for kitchen beam	bag to Goodwill
60	wool Laurel cardweaving	two bubblepack curtains	three bags full recycle and trash

rising 60 - quantification

As 2014 shall see our plucky heroine rising sixty, it occurred to me that would be a good matrix to hang change upon, and also a way to hold self to noting progress and scheduling time for needful activities. While there are a lot of aspects of life I've no idea how to shift, these three are ones already within my skillset, and like any other part in need of strengthening, repetition should make a difference...

60 projects made

a combination of needful clothing sewing and increased studio metalwork/enameling; I need some new everyday clothing to replace worn/threadbare garments, and I need a coat and a jacket. By also focusing on my creative work, new income opportunities will become possible.

60 hours of home refurbishment

there's already fair amount of useful supplies for some needed projects around the homeplace, now to focus on doing the work, asking for help where required, and figuring out how to repair and create better infrastructure.

60 grocery sacks decluttered

I've no idea if this is far more or far less than is needed. I function better in an orderly environment where the supplies and tools are ready to hand, so creating that kind of environment is a priority for 2014



This might be enough. This does feel doable, in that I am looking at maybe an hour or two out of every day, to make these goals a reality.  And so it begins...