MVP #GenerationGo: Time Management & Setting Goals (& a $50 VISA Gift Card Giveaway)

As an MVP Generation Ambassador, I’ve been posting about various topics.  I posted about ways to explore your community, posted one of my favorite kid-friendly recipes and about finding creative ways for recreation. This week’s topic is Time Management and Setting Goals.

In New York, summer is almost over and school will be starting very soon.  With that being said, it’s time to manage my time wisely and set some goals as well.

Throughout the summer time, things at our house can sometimes be laid back and less strict. The kids are not on schedule and they don’t have a set time for bed, among other things.  But during the last few weeks in August, things start to change.  That’s where I set some goals for the kids (mostly school-related goals) and decide how I will manage my time (and theirs).

For me, the most efficient way to manage time is to have a large, paper calendar hung on the kitchen wall near the refrigerator. It’s the most centralized and most popular spot in the house.  If it weren’t for the calendar on the wall, I would forget everything.   My husband has a nickname for me – Forgetful Lisa.  If it’s not written down, I forget.  Having a large paper calendar is perfect for us because we all have enough space to write down anything we don’t want to overlook.  It’s especially prefect for my kids to see whose day it is to clean out the cat litter. 😉

Another time management saver is my iPod Touch.  I can jot down our doctor appointments, blog events, birthdays and/or school activities in the calendar section and attach an alarm to the day to remind me of the date.  You have no idea how much that has saved me when I forget to write it on the calendar.

Every year, before school starts, I sit down with my two older children and we set the same goals for each of them for the upcoming school year.  It’s self-explanatory and extremely easy.

• Make sure you do your homework every night
• Make sure you read 20 minutes everyday
• Empty and organize your pack back every Friday.
• Find a school activity or club to join
• Write down ALL homework in planner
• Find a study-buddy to make sure you are never behind
• Try to do your absolute best

As you can see from our goals, it’s not that difficult for any child to follow. Some of them even look like rules – they are but I like to call them “goals.”

I have great news for those of you who live near Rochester, NY. It’s Sport’s Day at Frontier Field!

MVP Generation Go Sports Day at Frontier Field

(Registration starts at 9:30 am)

Try each of these fun activities –

• * Baseball with the Rochester Red Wings
• * Lacrosse with Gary Gait – legendary coach and player
• * Soccer with YMCA coaches, featuring Doug Miller
• * Biking with the MVP Health Care Bike Team

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And now, for the best part – the giveaway!

GIVEAWAY

Mandatory Entry: In a comment, please share how you manage your time and what goals you usually set for yourself and/or your children.

FOR ADDITIONAL ENTRIES

1) Like the MVP GenerationGo Fan page and add your favorite time management and/or any goal setting tips over there.

2) Tweet your “Tips” comment with these hashtags: #GenerationGo , #Timemanagement and #GoalSetting .

3) Follow New York Chica and Tweet this (Once a day):

@NewYorkChica is giving away a $50 VISA Gift Card. Perfect for Back-to-School. Ends Aug 26th http://bit.ly/pB0yUf #Giveaway #GenerationGo

4) Like this post (button is below this post).

5) “Like” New York Chica on Facebook.

6) Subscribe by email for free updates.

**For official giveaway rules, please click here.**

Disclosure: I am an MVP Generation Go ambassador. MVP Has provided me with compensation for this post. The $50 VISA gift card is sponsored by the generous people over at Kids Fun Plaza. My participation is voluntary and my opinion is always my own.