It seems like 2018 just started a day ago but here we are into mid-April and we are already a quarter of the way through the year! I know at the start of the year I sat down and wrote down a list of my goals for the year. I actively work on them daily and try to remember that it is not a sprint but a marathon, I do not need to get everything done in the first few months but also not to leave everything until it is about to be another new year.

A few proud accomplishments for me so far:

- I have been doing my best to read the Bible every day. I have an app called YouVersion that keeps track of my reading and I find it helpful to show myself how well I am doing and it encourages me to keep it up.

- We were just about to pay off $58,000 in business debt, which is always a huge sigh of relief. Money issues appear to be a big thing for many people these days and being able to sit down and come up with a good business plan for the year is imperative to getting yourself out of debt and into a good financial space.

So how are all your goals going? Are you happy where you are today with your professional life and your personal life? As we come out of the winter season, many people find themselves in that winter lull still, figuring out how to take on the spring and summer. I know during the warm months too it can be hard to stick to goals when the weather is always nice and there is so much more going on in the city. I have a few recommendations for keeping on track with your goals when the rest of the world gets a bit more distracting –

- Keep a running list – it has been proven time and again that writing things down, not on a computer or text but the actual physical act of writing it down helps the mind keep it in check. Whether you have a journal, notepad or even a white board, make sure to write down your goals and feels good when you can cross them off as finished or when you get to add new ones!

- Words of affirmation – I like to start my day by writing words of affirmation. This is a taught practice with a lot of realtors to get them to start their fay focused and ready to go. I like to write down what I am thankful for that day, what I hope to accomplish that day, who I appreciate and my business goals. Try it sometime; it really is a great way to start the day.

- Make designated down time/personal time – as a realtor, the spring is my busiest time of the year, which means I consistently work a seven-day workweek. While it is great for business, I find it is imperative that I make time for my family, my friends, my church and my other businesses. I like to look at my week on Sunday evening and plan out times where I can take some time for just me because I know that is crucial to me being a good mom, wife, friend and realtor.

You’ve still got plenty of months ahead of you but there’s no time like the present to start checking those goals off your list!