I’m on a countdown to my 50th birthday. As you can see at this publishing I approximately 11 months out til I hit that magical number.

At first, I won’t lie, I cried. I turned 49 and thought to myself ‘I don’t feel 50….50 is old right?’ I used to think that like most arrogant teenagers, 20something and even newby -30 yro. Then, I took a breathe, then another and when I opened my eyes my son was staring back at me perplexed at what I was doing. I smiled, he smiled back and then slowly walked away looking at me with what I would describe as funny trepidation. It was at that moment, I decided when I turn 50, I want to be the version of me possible. I want to kick off this second journey of life knowing I entered with a healthy mind, spirit and body. My kids are young and I’ve done the math when then start/finish college. I’ve done the math on possible marriage for them and if I am lucky to see their children born. I want to be around for all of that but I won’t be if I do not enter this second half the way I need to.

So, I embark on this 1 week, 1 goal challenge for myself. I was happy I accomplished 2 in the last 6 days (1+pounds and wrote this blog). I know I will not always have more than 1 goal reached, but that is not the goal. Only 1 goal each week. If I can do that, I will have obtained more goals accomplished than any New Years resolution, I’ve ever tried.

Imagine what you could accomplish if you just told yourself 1 week, 1 goal….1 goal, 1 week! It’s a small step but a step no doubt. Sometimes, that is the hardest, scariest and biggest step to overcome. Take the challenge with me!

Grab a notebook (I bought a $0.97 composition book at Office Depot). If you are super creative you can give the inside page a beautiful title. I’m not creative, my first page went right to the point. At the top center write today’s date. Skip a few lines and write out your 1 Goal for the week. Skip another line to two and place the date for the accomplishment. Skip another line and write the title Barriers. Now answer HONESTLY do you have any barriers to accomplishing this goal? Is there anything holding you back. Probably not is the answer. But for the sake of planning it’s always good to write it out. Now, what are one to five things you can actively do to accomplish this goal? Think reasonable, economical and let’s face it, actionable things that will work towards this goal. After all, the goal is but one and it will benefit you greatly by taking this step.

As you can see with my horrible handwriting, my goal is simple, my barriers non, my to-dos manageable, actionable.

Now, since I am a frugal gal, I plan on using both sides of the paper in my book. Plus, it makes it easier to reflect what was done and allows me to focus on the next 1 week, 1 goal.

On the back page of my goal, I write out what I accomplished. Did I reach my goal or more? How do I feel? Did I accomplish more than one goal? Fill in as much as you want here. There have been many studies on the benefits of journaling (Positive Journaling) so write whatever is in your mind for those analytical thinkers or in your heart for those creative souls. This does not need to be a novel. Keep it simple.

Now, we are ready for week 2! Check in next week for more updates!