I have joined a 30-day Productivity Challenge and wanted to share my journey with you and invite you to join me. Click here – https://30dayproductivity.com – if you want to join me. I think that this could be a lot of fun, especially completing it as a community.

Today’s productivity challenge is to reflect on the daily actions that I took last week. As I sit down to reflect on the past week, it feels like navigating through a series of stepping stones, each representing a day and its contribution towards my ambitious goals for 2024. It’s a journey of meaningful strides and thoughtful pauses, constantly assessing: have I moved forward or simply marked time?

1. Financial Independence: Practical Steps Forward

This week marked tangible progress in my financial journey. Not only did I make the minimum payments towards my credit card debt that came due, but I also took significant steps in organizing a strategic plan to tackle it. As I await this month’s statements, I’m ready to add current balances and interest rates to my Budget in Notion. This approach is not just about paying off debts; it’s about strategically attacking them to achieve financial independence. Additionally, I’ve started investing in my future by allocating 2% of my income to company stocks and 8% to a 401(k) retirement plan. These actions represent not just financial responsibility, but an investment in my future stability and growth.

2. Writing Goals: The Power of Personal Stories

The act of writing, particularly when it delves into the personal and painful chapters of my life, has been both emotionally challenging and exhausting. Each of the 6,500 words I wrote this week was not just an act of creation but also an emotional journey. Writing about these experiences is like revisiting old wounds, reopening them to understand and heal. It’s mentally taxing, yet it’s a necessary part of my journey to share my story with authenticity and depth. The daily blog posts, though less emotionally charged, also contribute to this journey, honing my ability to express and connect.

3. Piano Mastery: Facing the Challenges Head-On

This week, my journey in piano mastery faced its own set of challenges. I discovered that three keys on my 1911 upright Tennyson Chicago grand piano were not functioning properly. The middle E sometimes sticks, disrupting my scale practice, while two other keys produce identical sounds. This piano, well-loved and extensively used over the years, has required investments in new felts and hammers. As she ages, these repairs become more frequent and so the tuner has been schedule to come tomorrow. Despite these hurdles, I completed two lessons on SkillShare, aiming to improve my skills. So, while three hours of practice might seem modest, the challenges I faced with my piano made each minute a valuable part of my learning journey.

4. Family Time: Strengthening Bonds in Simple Ways

Strengthening family relationships took on different forms this week. Volunteering at my youngest daughter’s school basketball tournament and implementing daily habits with her, inspired by “Atomic Habits,” were invaluable. Additionally, I reconnected with my middle daughter over “Atomic Habits.” After hearing part of the audiobook, she expressed a desire to read it herself. Finding and sharing my printed copy became an opportunity for us to bond over our mutual interest in personal development. These activities, along with a date night with my husband, may not be the grand getaways planned for the year, but they are essential to our family life, strengthening our bonds in small but significant ways.

5. Health and Wellness: A Cautious Approach

Sticking to my dietary restrictions has been a victory, directly contributing to my health goals. However, the absence of a regular workout routine is a gap I need to address. Managing fibromyalgia and improving overall health requires a holistic approach, and physical exercise is a key component of that. With the goal of improving my health, I’ve had to be particularly cautious this week. The drastic drop in temperature and a blizzard presented challenges for managing my fibromyalgia. Fearing a flare-up, I limited physical activity, though I know a consistent workout routine is essential. To others who live with Fibromyalgia: have you found exercise routines that work for you? How do you balance physical activity with the risk of flare-ups? I would greatly appreciate hearing your experiences and suggestions, as I navigate this path towards better health and wellness.

Conclusion: Reflecting on a Week of Mixed Progress

Looking back on the week, I see a mixture of strides and steady steps. In areas like finance and writing, I’ve moved noticeably closer to my goals. In piano, family time, and health, the progress is subtler but no less important. Each decision, each action, is just one stone of achieving my goals for 2024. Here, in our cozy corner, I find joy in sharing these experiences, drawing strength from our shared journey and looking forward to the steps we’ll take next.

How did you do with your goals this past week? Was your week a mix, like mine?