The Big White Farmhouse | intentional living, little by little

January 8, 2015

{a year of challenges} My Top Five Favorite Podcasts

This month is all about learning at the Big White Farmhouse. One way I’ve been getting that information in, while keeping up with the daily chores and to-do lists, is through podcasts. Today I’m linking up with Jenna to share my top five favorites:

Brilliant Business Moms // If you are a small business owner or blogger, this podcast is for you. Every episode is full of information and tips. I try to listen while folding laundry, but without fail, I always have to stop to crazily jot down all the great advice. I’m still making my way through the archives, but this one and this one have been particularly helpful.

Elise Gets Crafty // This podcast is a mix of exploring creativity and solid small business advice. My favorite episode about creativity is this one (so far) and this more business-minded one was very thought-provoking.

Fountains of Carrots // This podcast is still in its infancy, but Christy and Haley are delivering great things! Hands down, my favorite episode has been this one; so much of my feelings about my faith, family size and marriage are said more eloquently than I ever could say myself.

Dave Ramsey // I guess this is technically a radio show, but I love listening to these during my treadmill runs. We, like many, are trying to quickly pay most of our debt this year and Dave Ramsey never fails to keep me motivated.

Serial // I know, I know. Everyone under the sun loves this podcast. But if you like a good detective story or you’re a fan of 20/20, this podcast is for you. I was hooked from the beginning, am satisfied with the ending, and can’t wait for season 2!

Do you have any favorite podcasts I should check out?

January 6, 2015

{a year of challenges} January is for Learning

Welcome to the first installment of A Year of Challenges!

I am so excited to share this project with you. I often get asked how I “do it all” and while that is SO far from the truth, I am able to accomplish a lot because of the practice of setting attainable goals. I want to help you get things done this year too! My hope is that you’ll come along with me every month and make a few goals of your own.

So here is how A Year of Challenges will work:
Each month will be set around a different theme: home, food, hospitality, photography and more! At the beginning of the month, I’ll announce the theme and post my personal goals. Some months, my goals may be quite lofty, while others could be really simple. I’ll also include lots of ideas for you, so you can join in too. Around the 15th, I’ll post my reflections at the halfway point and check in on you. And finally, at the end of the month, I’ll look back at what I’ve accomplished and the lessons I’ve learned.

So January.

For me, January is the month where we’re coming off the high of holidays and festivities. Life settles down and we spend a lot of time cozy inside. If we’re being honest, I also tend to get a little lazy. At night, I spend way too much time browsing the titles on Netflix instead of doing something productive. With that in mind, I chose learning as the theme for January as a way to combat the sluggishness.

My challenge:

Read 3 books, each a different genre
Listen to 5 podcasts
Watch 10 Ted talks
Find 3 new blogs that teach me something

How I plan to accomplish it:

I will choose to read a few chapters before turning on the TV at night.
I will listen to podcasts or Ted talks while I’m doing chores: folding laundry, loading the dishwasher, etc.
I will try to start a “Quiet Reading Time” with the bigger kids in the afternoon.

Join me?

Set a goal for January, simple or ambitious. Here are ten ideas to get you started:

+ Read the headlines of the news everyday.

+ Choose to read 10 pages before turning on the TV, computer or phone.

+ Read a few books of different genres.

+ Listen to a book on tape or a podcast while you’re in the car, cleaning or working out.

+ Watch 5 documentaries.

+ Reread a classic novel from high school.

+ Find a blog you’ve never read and go through the archives.

+ Take a class on Skillshare.

+ Ask a professional the questions you may have.

+ Read a manual to something you own, like your digital camera.

Are you in?

Comment below with the learning goal of your choice. I want to cheer you on!

A Year of Challenges: January is for Learning

January 5, 2015

{thrive goals} My 3-Step Process for Setting Goals (& Free Printable!)

If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you know how much I love setting goals. Today I thought I would describe the process I take when deciding what I want to tackle each month. I hope it will be helpful, especially if you find goal setting totally overwhelming. Here we go!

Step 1: Make statements with a bigger vision in mind.
Goal-setting is only fruitful when it’s getting you closer to your ultimate objectives. This is the time to start with the big and broad statements. Here are a handful of mine:

I want to make my house feel more like home.
I want to be debt free.
I want to make memories with my husband and children.
I want to help others.
I want to know and live my faith.
I want to discover what I’m passionate about.
I want to give generously.
I want to re-visit activities/hobbies I used to enjoy.

Step 2: Ask questions relating to those statements.
Now that I’ve fleshed out my vision for the year, I start asking myself more specific questions related to the statements I made above:

What is a recipe I’ve wanted to make?
What home project do I want to tackle?
What is one activity I want to do with my kids?
What organization do I want to give money to/volunteer with?
What is one area I can save a little money to put toward our debt?
How can I make time in my day to read the Bible?

Step 3: Choose a handful of answers from the questions above to make your monthly goal list.
Here is where you finalize your goals for the month! I like to write it out and put the list somewhere I see it often: in my planner, on the fridge, taped to the wall in my office…anywhere I will see it on a regular basis. This helps me to stay on track. I designed this simple worksheet and you are welcome to download it too.

For January, here are the five things I hope to accomplish:
1. Complete a 2014 Blurb book of my Instagram photos.
2. Work on art for the dining room. Maybe DIY a wooden frame?
3. Celebrate Big White Farmhouse’s first birthday!
4. Start to run regularly, 3-4 times a week. Continue to strive for 10,000+ steps daily.
5. Return to regular meal planning and making healthy dinners. No eating out!