Hello everyone,
 
Last round was a smashing success! Thank you all for welcoming me into this amazing group, it's really helped me get more of the important stuff done and understand that it's ok for me to take time for myself too.
 
Big Goals:
1) Finish my most recent degree. If everything goes smoothly this will be finishing in early May. I'm two online classes, which I intend to get an A in. This will involve me handing in all of my assignments on time and calling into class twice a week. One of the classes is creative writing, so that will be most of my new writings  for this round of words.
 
2) Edit my romance novel. I wrote this for National Novel Writing Month in November of 2018. It's my best first draft to date (out of eight or so) and I'm really ready to get it to a state where I can get feedback from beta readers. This happens to harmonize with Camp NaNo, so I'll start it then, though in order to keep myself from burn out I do intend for it to take the whole round. (Not that I would stop myself if I really feel like editing the whole thing quickly.)
 
3) Learn Japanese and get ready for my Japan trip. I took last round to refocus on this, but I need to at least double my effort if I'm going to be as fluent as I'd like to be. That being said, I think this will really be getting focus as soon as Big Goal 1 is complete. Until then the goal is to study for 15 minutes a day, and after Big Goal 1 is done it'll be 30 minutes a day.
 
Small Goals:
1) Save an extra $1,000 dollars and use it to finish paying my student loans. With the extra effort last round I'm within reach of this goal. (It didn't even seem possible when I was making my goals in Jan.) It's time to seal the deal and get these out of my life!
 
2) Host two workshops and one event at local libraries/businesses. This will mostly involve putting together the material and attending the events.
 
3) Read 10 books. My intention is one a week for the year. Last year I was super behind by this point, this year I'm already at 20. Honestly I think this is a good indicator of my mental health.
 
4) Read 3 self-improvement books. My intention is one a month for the year. On the top of the list are: The Art of Non-Conformity, Leadership and Self-Deception, and The Success Principles. I realize that I haven't read/plan to read any writing related self-improvement books, but I'm not feeling it right now either. I think that I'll add them in next round to prep my mind for NaNo.
 
5) Tend the outside of the house and basement before my family visits June 22nd. I think the hardest part will be remembering that this is a small goal, and is not supposed to get prioritized above the big goals. Still there's a lot of stuff that needs to get done in relation to this, including but not limited to:
                Getting rid of stuff in the basement, and then organizing what's left
                Getting rid of stuff in the garage, and then organizing what's left
                Get rid of my attempted garden from last year
                Take out prickly bushes
                Put in fruit trees
                Put in perennial flowers
                Fixing the holes that my dog has dug in the yard
                Taking care of the invasive vines
                Touching up the bricks and mortar
                Outside paint touch ups
                Painting the front stairs
                Washing all of the windows around the whole house
                 
Thanks for reading!
Shannon 

​​Some of my goals follow through to the next round, and some need the rest of the month to finish, so I'll be doing mini checkins to keep up with them until Round 2 starts. I personally format my check-ins as an after action review, then the setting of intentions/minigoals for the next check-in.


​AFTER ACTION REVIEW
1) 50/50 again here. Called into my classes. Did not do the journal. Wrote an outline for the piece for creative writing but did not write it out yet.

2) I've kept up with the email account. Decided not to send the first email to the line editor yet.

3) All done with the documentaries, and much more prepared to edit this book!

4) Finally got to revising and recording meditations! It's not hard, it's just sitting my butt down to do it.


MINIGOALS/INTENTIONS
1) Do journal for creative writing. Do journal for world civ. Write piece for creative writing. 

2) Keep up with email account. Do send the emails to the line editor. Check in with those who are finishing edits.

​Some of my goals follow through to the next round, and some need the rest of the month to finish, so I'll be doing mini checkins to keep up with them until Round 2 starts. I personally format my check-ins as an after action review, then the setting of intentions/minigoals for the next check-in.


​AFTER ACTION REVIEW
1) 50/50 here. I choose a topic for my research paper; shinto shrines. I did not write two scenes for the Mars PI project. I did write the next journal entry for world civ. I did not do the journal entry for creative writing. 

2) Overachieved here by sending *all* the contracts and followed up with everyone who does not have the final edit to us yet. Over 75% are complete, which is pretty darn good and keeps us even a bit ahead of schedule.

3) Solid progress. Watched three more documentaries and watching another one right now. Only three more after this and I'll be done with this section of the research.

4) No progress, simply didn't have time to work on meditations while focusing on goal 2. 



MINIGOALS/INTENTIONS
1) Call into two classes. Do one journal entry for creative writing. Write two more scenes and turn in the piece for creative writing. 

2) Keep up with the email account. Consider sending the first email to the line editor, depending on how many contracts come back.

3) Finish watching the documentaries on my list. 

4) This will be the focus for Tuesday. Revise all meditations and record new ones.

For those tuning into this round my master goals list is here. I personally format my check-ins as an after action review, then the setting of intentions/minigoals for the next check-in.

​AFTER ACTION REVIEW
Big Goals:
1) Success! Called into both classes. Wrote both papers and handed them in. Typed up the edits on my short story and sent that in. Finished a journal and handed that in. (Busy week!)

2) Caught up! All emails sent that needed to get sent.

3) Managed to do this every other day. As I said last checkin I'll be doubling down on this soon, but not this exact moment. 

4) Watched another two documentaries. I didn't realize I had so many on my list, so I'll continue to watch them until I decide to find another resource.

Small Goals:
1) Didn't do well the first two days. Did do well today, and I think that's because I went to bed early.

2) Went to bed early last night and I can feel it in my bones. Much better sleep and overall a better day today for it. 

3) Nothing, as planned. 

4) Mailed out two more. 

5) Sent an additional email. It looks like they've got a virus, thus sending spam. So I won't expect an email back right away.

6) Nothing special.

7) Already complete. 


Some of my goals follow through to the next round, and some need the rest of the month to finish, so I'll be doing mini checkins to keep up with them until Round 2 starts. 


MINIGOALS/INTENTIONS
1) Choose a topic for the research paper. Write another two scenes for Mars PI project. Next journal entry for World Civ. Next journal entry for creative writing. 

2) For all people who are done send contracts. For those not done send followup emails on Sunday. 

3) Continue to watch more documentaries or otherwise continue research. 

4) Revise all meditations and record new ones.

For those tuning into this round my master goals list is here. I personally format my check-ins as an after action review, then the setting of intentions/minigoals for the next check-in.

Posting this a bit late. I'm not sure what's up right now but I've been extra tired the last couple of days and just feel asleep anytime I had the time to do my ROW 80 post. Is it the weather? Daylight savings time? My new bottle of D3 vitamins? I wanna know soon, in order to do something to counteract it, I need my energy back!

Honestly some of me feels that this is so late I should just skip it, but another half knows that this is super useful and needed for prioritizing/appreciating things in my life. In my attempt to listen to myself more I'm going with the second feeling. This is an important part of my life now, and it deserves the time, even if it's late.

Also, to finish these goals properly I'll probably need the rest of the month. Everything that can be wrapped up early is, but Big Goal One won't be taking a break at all, and Big Goal Two is based on having the whole month. I think I might post a couple extra blog posts just related to those until they're complete. We'll see. 

​ 
AFTER ACTION REVIEW
Big Goals:
1)I have edited my short story! I still need to type the edits into the computer, but one small step at a time. I also went on my date to the art museum, it was a great time, and probably one of the largest museums I've ever gone to. The related paper didn't get done over the weekend, though it has been done since. I'll be double mentioning it in tomorrows ROW80 post. 

2) I cleared the inbox and sent a number of additional emails, though not all of them. I also read the first chapter of the novels and posted my thoughts on the subject. 

3) I ended up studying Japanese for 15 minutes twice during the time frame, which is ok. I'll be doubling down on this next round, so this will be the last couple of times where I give myself slack on this goal.

4) I watched quite a few great documentaries so far. (I've even been doing the stepper while watching them! Win!) I've been aiming for one a day, so that I'm properly prepared for editing next round. 

Small Goals:
1) Since daylight savings time it's been tough to get up on time, and I'm still not into m new routine as much as I'd like to be. Trying to be patient with myself, I was doing really well and then it just got thrown off.

2) The before bed routine is a bit better. I should probably go to bed earlier and take the time to read more. Again small steps.

3) I didn't listen to my meditations. My wireless headset is broken right now (new one on it's way) so that's been putting a damper on this. 

4) Going well. I've been selling a handful more things and shipping them out in a reasonable time frame. 

5) Waiting.

6) Finished another audiobook! 

7) Finished reading 7 habits! That means this goal is complete for this round! 


INTENTIONS AND MINIGOALS
Big Goals:
1) Call into both classes. Write both papers and hand in. Type up edits, then submit short story for critique. Do quick creative writing journal.

2) Finish sending poetry emails. Send followup emails to those who aren't done with their edits. 

3) 15 minutes of studying Japanese every day.

4) Watch at least one more documentary. 

Small Goals:
1) We'll start back at the beginning. Try to wake up and get up at 6AM.

2) Again starting with the basics. In bed with phone off at 10PM every day. 

3) Nothing. I'm simply going to wait until my new headset is in.

4) Autopilot. 

5) Send another email to the local library and see if they'd like to host. At worst I'll be doing three workshops instead of two. 

6) Autopilot.

7) Done.

Thanks for reading!

Throughout the last couple of months I've been researching vitamins and supplements that improve memory and then trying them out. What I found were a variety of pills that drastically lowered my stress levels, improved my energy levels, and one that actually improved my memory. These were things I wasn't intending and didn't know were possible, but now that I know they've drastically improved my life.

While this is all my personal antecedents with these vitamins and supplements I thought it would be worth sharing. There's so many options out there now a days that people might want to experiment more to find something to help them be the best them that they can be. (Also I'm not a doctor so don't sue me if these don't work for you, thanks.) 


Evening routine
NAC - This was the first one that I tried. The literature I read said that it would improve memory and brain function. The first time I took one right before bed and the next morning there was less stress in my shoulders than I've had in years. I've been taking it since then and it's absolutely been helping my stress levels. It's also improving the health of my neck and back, which is where I keep my stress. My massage therapist has said that I have one of the top 10 most messed up backs she's ever seen, so anything that can help that is good in my book.

GABA - This is a new one that I found out about quite recently. It's also an amino acid like the NAC. This one is supposed to be particularly good for sleeping, though I haven't had a problem taking it in the morning as well. Since I started to take it I have been having more dreams, though I have not been sleeping particularly less than my normal 8-9hours a day. I do feel more well rested in the morning. This has also helped reduce the tension in my middle back. While that sounds oddly specific for me it's stress reducing affects are noticeably different than NAC, and when combined they reduce my tension headaches considerably. 

Chelated Magnesium - The body's processes for using those amino acids involves the use of magnesium. Thus I wanted to make sure that my body had enough to get the results from both of those consistently every night. I had been noticing inconsistencies in their affects until I added this into the mix.


Morning routine 
CoQ10 - This is a nutrient that also should occur naturally in the body and the foods that we eat. When I started to take this I noticed a drastic improvement in my energy levels. It also keeps my energy consistent throughout the day meaning I don't need the afternoon cup of coffee. 

Vitamin D - Because living in NY during winter we are prone to having very low levels of vitamin D, which can lead to a multitude of health issues.

NAC again - Twice a day is the right amount to keep my stress levels low. 

GABA again - Twice a day is the right amount to keep my stress levels low. 

DHA -500 - This compound is the active part of fish oil. This is the only vitamin or supplement that I've noticed to actually improve my memory and recall. 


Didn't work
Alpha-Lipoic Acid - Not much to say, I took it for a week and didn't notice any differences. 

​PQQ - I also tried this one for a week and didn't notice any change.

Melatonin - I've tried this on and off many times throughout the years, particularly when I worked nights. Sometimes it's helped more than others, but considering the drastic changes I've seen from the vitamins and supplements recently I don't think that it's ever been enough of an improvement to bother with again. 

What do you take that helps you?

For those tuning into this round my master goals list is here. I personally format my check-ins as an after action review, then the setting of intentions/minigoals for the next check-in.

Monday involved a particularly bad headache. Tuesday was great and today was medium. Therefore some stuff got done, but not everything I hoped.

What do you do to try and get stuff done on bad days?

AFTER ACTION REVIEW
Big Goals:
1) I DID actually write the new short story. I even got it typed onto the computer and printed off for editing. Did not write the journal entry for world civ because the assignment isn't posted yet and I don't wanna write up the entry on the wrong topic.

2) I sent the first five emails but wasn't up for sending any today. Did some email, there's one left in there that I need to take care of. Again, not something that I'm going to do with my mental power right now.

3) I studied Japanese on the app three times and made an effort to translate one line of the easy Japanese news site. It took a long time and I still have a lot of progress to go before I'm fluent. 

4) Ended up watching one more documentary between then and now, and it wasn't what I was hoping for. Ended it early and moving onto the next one.

Small Goals:
1) Day light savings time is the worst. End of goal.

2) The before bedtime habit isn't going wonderfully, even after changing out the bedside book choice. I've been trying to do more in the evenings, perhaps being a little more choosy in my goals will help this out.

3) I listened to two audio meditations despite the fact that my headset has lost power to the left side. These headphones have lasted me years, so I'm sure it's past time for their replacement. 

4) Sold six more items and shipped them out! I'm pretty close to 50 sales now which is beyond my hopes and dreams for this goal! 

5) More waiting.

6) Been enjoying the audiobook "Fractured" by Karin Slaughter. 

7) Finished reading habit 6! One more left~


INTENTIONS AND MINIGOALS
Big Goals:
1) Edit short story. Go on a date to the art museum then write up a paper on it.

2) Clear inbox. Send five emails a day. Read novel. 

3) Study Japanese some every day.

4) Finish watching documentaries I found. Then find some new resources to read.

​Small Goals:
1) Keep at it.

2) Keep at it.

3) Listen to audio meditations once a day.
 
4) Autopilot eBay sales.
 
5) Wait.
 
6) Autopilot.
 
7) Finish reading habit 7.
 
-Shannon

For those tuning into this round my master goals list is here. I personally format my check-ins as an after action review, then the setting of intentions/minigoals for the next check-in.
 
It was a fine weekend where I did some reading, cooking, gaming, and even a bit of TV watching. (A rarity for me!) Overall relaxing and low key, charging up for some of the big actions that'll be happening this week. What do you do to relax and recharge?
 
AFTER ACTION REVIEW
Big Goals:
1)  Didn't actually get around to any of this. It's still a holiday week at school, so my mind just didn't get the oomph that it normally does.
 
2) Followed up on meeting and cleared the inbox. Did not get ahead in the emails, that's the next step.
 
3) Did so some Japanese study. Put one of my old phone apps back on the front screen and that's helping. Did at least two sessions of 10 minutes on it.
 
4) I watched three documentaries so far! (One of the pluses of a light weekend!) I have a couple more to watch, then I'll be moving onto firsthand accounts in written format.
 
Small Goals:
1) Good! I did well waking up early and taking the time to work on stuff before the day started, particularly eBay.
 
2) I have been going to bed on time or early, but haven't been reading or doing as much of my cooldown. I think that my overall stress levels are down so I need the cooldown less, which is certainly nice!
 
3) Guess what, I didn't end up recording more meditations again. I did schedule it for a different day this time, so I need to do something else about it this week. I'm not sure what though.
 
4) Instead of posting one a day I took a chunk of weekend time again and posted the rest of my 50 free items for the month. This ended up catching up to everything that I've put aside so far for eBaying thus far, which is super exciting. I'm sure I'll find more to sell as I continue to clean the house, and if I don't there is always Etsy. That being said, I'm past my $1,500 goal for this quarter, so I'm going to put this on autopilot as I focus on finishing the other goals.
 
5) I did follow up with both libraries. One is officially confirmed, the other didn't respond yet.
 
6) Finished reading the book. It was ok, but I could tell that it was an adaptation from a different format.
 
7) I thought that I wasn't reading habit 4 last check in, but I was. So I ended up reading habit 4 and 5. 
 
 
INTENTIONS AND MINIGOALS
Big Goals:
1) Actually write the new short story. Also write a journal entry for world civ.
 
2) Clear the inbox. Send 5 emails a day until I'm caught up with the poetry section.
 
3) Do ten minutes a day from: Japanese book, Japanese news translation, or phone app.
 
4) Continue to watch documentaries.
 
 
Small Goals:
1) Keep at it.

2) Keep at it.

3) Listen to audio meditations once a day.
 
4) Autopilot eBay sales.
 
5) Wait.
 
6) Autopilot, since this is finished for the quarter. Which doesn't mean I won't read, but does mean that it's not a focus and doesn't get a minigoal.
 
7) Finish reading habit 6.
 
-Shannon

For those tuning into this round my master goals list is here. I personally format my check-ins as an after action review, then the setting of intentions/minigoals for the next check-in.

It was a little weird this week, as I didn't use my masterlist or make mini to do lists for most of it. I just did the most important things and relaxed with the rest. It was odd, but quite pleasant and less stressful. I'm not sure if it'll keep up, we'll see. 

AFTER ACTION REVIEW
Big Goals:
1) I wrote an outline for the short story that was making me laugh outloud. I'll get it down on paper soon, but with this being a holiday week at school it isn't a rush.

2) Cleared the inbox completely including a couple new pieces. Still need to followup on the meeting minutes etc. 

3) Have been looking around for luggage deals, but nothing has caught my eye yet. I read the Japanese book once, but missed the other two days in exchange for lunchtime events. I find if I don't do this during lunch it doesn't get done at all. 

4) Did not do my research. 

Small Goals:
1) My morning routine has been going great. I put myself to bed early twice this week and then got up early twice as well. I thought it was impossible to get up before 7, but apparently I'm learning new things!

2) My before bed routine is reasonable. I changed out the book I'm reading before bed, but still am not getting to it every day, though to be fair I've been putting myself to bed early due to being tired, and thus falling asleep right away.

3) Listened to my meditations twice. I really should update them to be a little more accurate and interesting. This weekend!

4) Kept up with my eBay sales, there were quite a few! I did not post new items yet, I've been talking to the SO about selling a few unused Warhammer figures, so those will be next.

5) Nothing, as planned.

6) Did not finish the book I intended. Did finish the audiobook instead. It was very good! 

7) I meant to read habit 4, but there was an unaccounted for connector chapter that I read instead. 


INTENTIONS AND MINIGOALS
Big Goals:
1) Get new short story down on paper, edit once, submit to creative writing class. Write journal entry for world civ.

2) Follow-up on meeting agenda. Clear the inbox before next check in. Work on poetry emails.

3) Make the time for studying Japanese. I think the problem is that my goal is far out compared to the rest; September. Thus I don't feel the urgency. I need to make it more of a priority. 

4) Research! Find some good resources! 

Small Goals:
1) Keep at it.

2) Keep at it.

3) Update audio meditations and record more. This time it's scheduled for Saturday. 

4) Keep up with sales. Post Warhammer items. At the end of the round (which is coming up soon!) I'm going to put together my total and put that as a major payment towards my student loans. 

5) Followup with libraries.

6) Finish physical book. Less than 50pages left. 

7) Finish reading habit 4 of 7 habits of highly effective people. 

Thanks for reading!
Shannon

For those tuning into this round my master goals list is here. I personally format my check-ins as an after action review, then the setting of intentions/minigoals for the next check-in.

It was a fine productive weekend with some actual unscheduled time to relax and enjoy the best parts of life, like gaming, reading, and hanging with the SO. It was a little distracting, so some of the smaller goals didn't get done. Overall that's fine with me, living life is important. 
 
AFTER ACTION REVIEW
Big Goals:
1) Homework is finished, and the creative writing will be done after this. I realize that it's a random holiday week for school, so it's no rush on these anyways.

2) I knocked this out of the park! I got caught up on the ones that had been hanging over my head and the ones that were freshly sent. Right now there are a couple in the inbox, but nothing I'm worried about. They'll get done soon.

3) Didn't really end up doing any of this. I really do need to amp up the focus here.

4) Done backing everything up. This goal is officially repurposed to writing research for the edits that will be happening next round.
 
Small Goals:
1) Did well! I got up early every day, even over the weekend, and kept to the routine.

2) Also did well here. Mostly caught up on sleep and generally did at least some of the routine before bed.

3) Did not record a mediation. I need to figure out why that is, perhaps because I keep scheduling it for Sunday and then it just gets lost in the other goals I'm working on? I'll try on a different day this week and see if that helps. I did listen to a couple of my meditations at least.

4) Soooo. I was going to post one item a day. Then I posted twenty yesterday. To be fair I was being very efficient, posting them from my phone while getting my hair done. Almost all of the items I set aside for eBay thus are up now. Maybe 10 more to go. I'll be posting them whenever, at least two a check in, for the rest of the month.

5) Nothing, as planned.

6) Ended up starting and getting most of the way through a new book.

7) Nothing, as planned.
 

INTENTIONS AND MINIGOALS
Big Goals:
1) Get a new short story down on paper.

2) Clear the inbox again before the next check in. Follow-up on anything that's needed from the meeting.

3) Keeping an eye out for good luggage deals. I think I need more variety here, so at least once a day do one of the following: read Japanese book, watch video, translate a line or two, card game, phone ap.

4) Look up a couple firsthand accounts relating to my book.
 
Small Goals:
1) Nothing special, keep up the momentum hopefully.

2) Cool down to bedtime. Focus on reading a physical book before bed.

3) Listen to meditation three times.

4) Keep up with eBay sales. Post 2 new items on eBay.

5) Nothing.

6) Finish the book I just started.

7) Read habit 4. 

How is your March looking everyone?
Shannon