At the beginning of the year, everyone talks about At the beginning of the year, everyone talks about setting goals. Honestly, setting goals is easy. You can set any goal you want to. You can write it in a journal, keep it to yourself, or even tell your friends.

But how often do we actually set a plan with smaller, short team goals to build upon while reaching our end-of-year goal? At the end of the year, we typically think back on whether or not we met the goal we set at the beginning, and the result just is what it is.

Instead, I want to help you learn how to make a plan to *realistically* reach the goals you set at the beginning of the year.

✍️ Quantify your goals (ie. I want to write X blog posts this year, I want to make $X this year, I want to make 3 new friends this year, I want to be able to lift X lbs this year).

✍️ Now that you've quantified your goals for the year, break that number down by the month (if you want to make $12,000 for your small business by the end of the year, you'll need to make $1000 each month. You can also break this down further into smaller, weekly goals).

✍️ Now, outline the steps you'll take on a weekly basis to reach your monthly goal.

✍️ Also note some hindrances you think you might face and how you plan to navigate them.

✍️ Revisit your goals on a weekly and monthly basis and consistently track if you're meeting your goals, exceeding them, or if you need to change your strategy in order to hit your mark.

✍️ Keep a journal of your wins and woes - it's important to recognize what's working well and mistakes that you can learn from!

These are all things I've learned in my work as a content marketing manager at a growing startup where measuring growth is *extremely* important. 

It may seem intimidating, but I've found that being organized in this way actually helps to clear my head and provide clarity on what I should prioritize and how I can realistically reach lofty goals.

Love you guys and hope this helps!
3 things I did this week to feel *better*: 1. I p 3 things I did this week to feel *better*:

1. I put the scale away. Don't get me wrong, I'm still working out regularly and watching my portions and sugar intake, but I'm not letting myself feel discouraged in the midst of building healthy habits. It's just not helpful and it's not about the number anyway.

2. Josh and I organized and decluttered the house. Is it weird that this really improves my mood while working from home??

3. I responded (ok tried to) to emails/texts faster. I'm the type who, if I don't know the answer or the best way to respond, I'll let it sit for a while and mildly stress me out until it's either too awkward to respond or I respond way late. I'm working on just responding quickly, even if it's imperfect. 

Do you struggle with any of these things?? 

Ps this is my favorite new @acta.wear top! Use my code CHELSEA20 for 20% off 👏
What are you currently reading? I admit I'm pretty What are you currently reading? I admit I'm pretty bad when it comes to picking up books but I love me a good audio book! It feels extra productive when I listen because it's automatic multi tasking 😄 I'm currently reading 1 Samuel, Atomic Habits, and Managing Up ☝️

Ps. Swipe for Chelsea Damon presets before and after! Grab the presets individually or in a pack at chelseadamonpresets.com (🔗 in bio).
#ad 2021 for me is going to be all about intention #ad 2021 for me is going to be all about intentional decision making and living joyfully in the in between moments. #ad ONE Bars give me the chance to fill up on something I know is a good choice, with only 1g of sugar and 20g (!!) of protein! Psst, the Blueberry Cobbler is my favorite 😋 Stock up on all the delicious ONE Bar flavors!

 https://lnk2.io/w97K9YV #TasteONEtoBelieveONE #YouveFoundTheOne @ONE1Brands #onebar
Swipe ➡️ to get a better look at that view! Th Swipe ➡️ to get a better look at that view! Then swipe ↩️ to get a look at the handsomest kid I know!
I've never been a huge fan of new years resolution I've never been a huge fan of new years resolutions. My thinking has typically been, "If you want to change for the better, just start." But I will say, this year I want to do better at always seeing the bright side and the opportunity - of taking responsibility. I have a tendency to play the victim when things don't go my way or if my goals are more difficult than I expected. This year, I want to joyfully and patiently work towards my goals as well as enjoy the moments of rest in between. I also want to give more of myself and my resources: to my family, to our church family, and to those in need. 

What's a goal of yours for 2021?

"She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.  She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.  She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.  She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.  She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.  She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.  She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet."

Proverbs 31:15‭-‬21 ESV
So we're past the longest night of winter, that me So we're past the longest night of winter, that means it's almost spring right??
I will never be a cold weather person 🥶
Rainy in a nutshell 👉 😄 Merry Christmas ever Rainy in a nutshell 👉 😄 Merry Christmas everyone!!
It started when we were younger and you were mine It started when we were younger and you were mine
MY BABY 
😭
And it's now stuck in your head you're welcome 🤗
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Baby, Family, fitness, Kids, Toddler, travel · April 18, 2018

6 Tips For Hiking With A Baby

Hiking has always been a huge part of our lives and one of mine and Josh’s favorite pastimes. We didn’t want the fact that we had little kids keep us from the things that we loved and, in fact, we believe that hiking is great for kids! That being said, there are definitely a few things that we needed to change when we started hiking with kids. Hiking with kids (especially a baby) is a whole new ballgame! Here are some of the tips we’ve learned along the way:

1 | Invest in a quality baby backpack/carrier

During Ev’s first few months, we always hiked with her in a front carrier that we had when David was little but, boy, was that rough on my back! For my birthday, I asked my mom to get us a legit baby backpack to carry her in and we have LOVED it! I don’t think the brand is all that important but I would recommend getting a back carrier with a wedge on the bottom that baby can sit on.  It allows their weight to sit at your hips rather than pulling at your back or shoulders. We’ve also found that even though our carrier is mean to be like a backpack, we can switch it around to the front if we want to.

2 | Pack essentials in a backpack rather than a baby bag

It’d be nice if all you had to remember to bring on your hike was the baby but, sadly, that’s never the case. Babies usually need things. Maybe not lots of things, but they do need them. Things like diapers, wipes, nursing covers or bottles, extra clothes, toys, pacifiers, etc. And you’re not going to want to lug that around in a single shoulder strap baby bag.

3 | Be smart about what you and your baby wear

Take it from this picture, Josh and I haven’t always been prepared when it’s come to hiking with the kids. We took this picture in the middle of August when the weather down at sea-level was sunny and in the 80s. Up in the mountains, though? Totally different story. It was misty and cold and we found ourselves in light sweatshirts with no extras. These next pictures tell a different story:

 

A post shared by Chelsea Damon 🍍 (@chelsealeighdamon) on Feb 17, 2018 at 7:47pm PST

A post shared by Chelsea Damon 🍍 (@chelsealeighdamon) on Feb 10, 2018 at 6:36pm PST


Although one setting was colder than the other, we thought ahead and came prepared in the right clothes. We got this great lamp outfit for Ev which was SUPER warm but loose enough to add a layer of cozy PJs underneath if we wanted her to have extra warmth (I’d also recommend a cold-weather suit like this). It’s also usually a good idea to grab a brimmed cap or bonnet just to give baby’s head come cover in case the weather turns bad unexpectedly.

Secondly, if you’re breastfeeding, be sure to keep that in mind on your hike. While hiking, you might feel most comfortable in a sports bra, which is one of my favorite clothing items in the word to wear. Just make sure that your shirt and bra are loose enough to easily move aside for a hungry baby. Breastfeeding can be tricky when you’re on the trail but having easily adjustable clothing will make things less complicated. I use this nursing cover and freaking LOVE it. It feels light and silky like an athletic wear material which is GREAT during the summer!

4 | Understand just how long your baby can go

This picture makes me laugh because Ev and David were just SO DONE with being outside (even though we had technically just arrived there).

Every baby has his or her limits and no matter how well fed or clean the diaper, that baby is going to want to go home or nap eventually. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a baby that falls asleep effortlessly in the baby carrier. Evy has always been hit or miss. Sometimes we’d be pleasantly surprised because she’d fallen asleep in the carrier without us even knowing and other days there was no mistaking that she just wanted to be home in her crib. Josh and I usually have the expectation that we may need to cut the hike short and head back before Ev (or David, our toddler) gets grumpy, that way we make it home in peace. Every child will be different, just do your best to set your expectations for finishing the hike on what you know your baby to be able to handle.

5 | Take a buddy

Whether you hike with your spouse or a friend, it’s always a good idea to hike with someone else, especially if you have kids with you. I’ve gone on smaller hikes with David and Evy in the past and while it started out nice (like most hikes do) I ended up regretting not going with Josh because BOTH kids wanted to be carried home (I should have seen that coming). Besides just having a helping hand, there’s safety in numbers so it just makes sense to have another person with you and the kids on a hike.

6 | Time your hike wisely

This point goes along with point #4. Like I said, every child has his or her limits but why not start strong by starting a hike first thing in the morning or first thing after naptime? That way, your kids are refreshed, getting outside will more likely be exciting rather than tiring, and you’ll give yourself plenty of time for a great hike before kids get worn out. You might think that you’ll be able to push through naptime and/or your kids can just sleep in the carrier or in the car on the way home but, take it from me, a hike down the mountain is no fun with tired and crying kids.

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In: Baby, Family, fitness, Kids, Toddler, travel · Tagged: advice, baby, backpack, carrier, child, daughter, diapers, easy, family, gear, hike, kids, mountain, noads, pampers, prepared, son, supplies, tips, travel, walk, wipes

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6 Tips for Day Trips With Small Children

Hi! I'm Chelsea and we're the Damon's. We spent the last two years in WA state paying off student loans and just bought our first house in SC! I love a smooth black coffee, Josh's first love is the Seattle Sounders. Our kids are huge dorks and constantly make us laugh and we all love spending as much time outside as possible.

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At the beginning of the year, everyone talks about At the beginning of the year, everyone talks about setting goals. Honestly, setting goals is easy. You can set any goal you want to. You can write it in a journal, keep it to yourself, or even tell your friends.

But how often do we actually set a plan with smaller, short team goals to build upon while reaching our end-of-year goal? At the end of the year, we typically think back on whether or not we met the goal we set at the beginning, and the result just is what it is.

Instead, I want to help you learn how to make a plan to *realistically* reach the goals you set at the beginning of the year.

✍️ Quantify your goals (ie. I want to write X blog posts this year, I want to make $X this year, I want to make 3 new friends this year, I want to be able to lift X lbs this year).

✍️ Now that you've quantified your goals for the year, break that number down by the month (if you want to make $12,000 for your small business by the end of the year, you'll need to make $1000 each month. You can also break this down further into smaller, weekly goals).

✍️ Now, outline the steps you'll take on a weekly basis to reach your monthly goal.

✍️ Also note some hindrances you think you might face and how you plan to navigate them.

✍️ Revisit your goals on a weekly and monthly basis and consistently track if you're meeting your goals, exceeding them, or if you need to change your strategy in order to hit your mark.

✍️ Keep a journal of your wins and woes - it's important to recognize what's working well and mistakes that you can learn from!

These are all things I've learned in my work as a content marketing manager at a growing startup where measuring growth is *extremely* important. 

It may seem intimidating, but I've found that being organized in this way actually helps to clear my head and provide clarity on what I should prioritize and how I can realistically reach lofty goals.

Love you guys and hope this helps!
3 things I did this week to feel *better*: 1. I p 3 things I did this week to feel *better*:

1. I put the scale away. Don't get me wrong, I'm still working out regularly and watching my portions and sugar intake, but I'm not letting myself feel discouraged in the midst of building healthy habits. It's just not helpful and it's not about the number anyway.

2. Josh and I organized and decluttered the house. Is it weird that this really improves my mood while working from home??

3. I responded (ok tried to) to emails/texts faster. I'm the type who, if I don't know the answer or the best way to respond, I'll let it sit for a while and mildly stress me out until it's either too awkward to respond or I respond way late. I'm working on just responding quickly, even if it's imperfect. 

Do you struggle with any of these things?? 

Ps this is my favorite new @acta.wear top! Use my code CHELSEA20 for 20% off 👏
What are you currently reading? I admit I'm pretty What are you currently reading? I admit I'm pretty bad when it comes to picking up books but I love me a good audio book! It feels extra productive when I listen because it's automatic multi tasking 😄 I'm currently reading 1 Samuel, Atomic Habits, and Managing Up ☝️

Ps. Swipe for Chelsea Damon presets before and after! Grab the presets individually or in a pack at chelseadamonpresets.com (🔗 in bio).
#ad 2021 for me is going to be all about intention #ad 2021 for me is going to be all about intentional decision making and living joyfully in the in between moments. #ad ONE Bars give me the chance to fill up on something I know is a good choice, with only 1g of sugar and 20g (!!) of protein! Psst, the Blueberry Cobbler is my favorite 😋 Stock up on all the delicious ONE Bar flavors!

 https://lnk2.io/w97K9YV #TasteONEtoBelieveONE #YouveFoundTheOne @ONE1Brands #onebar

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At the beginning of the year, everyone talks about At the beginning of the year, everyone talks about setting goals. Honestly, setting goals is easy. You can set any goal you want to. You can write it in a journal, keep it to yourself, or even tell your friends.

But how often do we actually set a plan with smaller, short team goals to build upon while reaching our end-of-year goal? At the end of the year, we typically think back on whether or not we met the goal we set at the beginning, and the result just is what it is.

Instead, I want to help you learn how to make a plan to *realistically* reach the goals you set at the beginning of the year.

✍️ Quantify your goals (ie. I want to write X blog posts this year, I want to make $X this year, I want to make 3 new friends this year, I want to be able to lift X lbs this year).

✍️ Now that you've quantified your goals for the year, break that number down by the month (if you want to make $12,000 for your small business by the end of the year, you'll need to make $1000 each month. You can also break this down further into smaller, weekly goals).

✍️ Now, outline the steps you'll take on a weekly basis to reach your monthly goal.

✍️ Also note some hindrances you think you might face and how you plan to navigate them.

✍️ Revisit your goals on a weekly and monthly basis and consistently track if you're meeting your goals, exceeding them, or if you need to change your strategy in order to hit your mark.

✍️ Keep a journal of your wins and woes - it's important to recognize what's working well and mistakes that you can learn from!

These are all things I've learned in my work as a content marketing manager at a growing startup where measuring growth is *extremely* important. 

It may seem intimidating, but I've found that being organized in this way actually helps to clear my head and provide clarity on what I should prioritize and how I can realistically reach lofty goals.

Love you guys and hope this helps!
3 things I did this week to feel *better*: 1. I p 3 things I did this week to feel *better*:

1. I put the scale away. Don't get me wrong, I'm still working out regularly and watching my portions and sugar intake, but I'm not letting myself feel discouraged in the midst of building healthy habits. It's just not helpful and it's not about the number anyway.

2. Josh and I organized and decluttered the house. Is it weird that this really improves my mood while working from home??

3. I responded (ok tried to) to emails/texts faster. I'm the type who, if I don't know the answer or the best way to respond, I'll let it sit for a while and mildly stress me out until it's either too awkward to respond or I respond way late. I'm working on just responding quickly, even if it's imperfect. 

Do you struggle with any of these things?? 

Ps this is my favorite new @acta.wear top! Use my code CHELSEA20 for 20% off 👏
What are you currently reading? I admit I'm pretty What are you currently reading? I admit I'm pretty bad when it comes to picking up books but I love me a good audio book! It feels extra productive when I listen because it's automatic multi tasking 😄 I'm currently reading 1 Samuel, Atomic Habits, and Managing Up ☝️

Ps. Swipe for Chelsea Damon presets before and after! Grab the presets individually or in a pack at chelseadamonpresets.com (🔗 in bio).
#ad 2021 for me is going to be all about intention #ad 2021 for me is going to be all about intentional decision making and living joyfully in the in between moments. #ad ONE Bars give me the chance to fill up on something I know is a good choice, with only 1g of sugar and 20g (!!) of protein! Psst, the Blueberry Cobbler is my favorite 😋 Stock up on all the delicious ONE Bar flavors!

 https://lnk2.io/w97K9YV #TasteONEtoBelieveONE #YouveFoundTheOne @ONE1Brands #onebar
Swipe ➡️ to get a better look at that view! Th Swipe ➡️ to get a better look at that view! Then swipe ↩️ to get a look at the handsomest kid I know!
I've never been a huge fan of new years resolution I've never been a huge fan of new years resolutions. My thinking has typically been, "If you want to change for the better, just start." But I will say, this year I want to do better at always seeing the bright side and the opportunity - of taking responsibility. I have a tendency to play the victim when things don't go my way or if my goals are more difficult than I expected. This year, I want to joyfully and patiently work towards my goals as well as enjoy the moments of rest in between. I also want to give more of myself and my resources: to my family, to our church family, and to those in need. 

What's a goal of yours for 2021?

"She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.  She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.  She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.  She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.  She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.  She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.  She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet."

Proverbs 31:15‭-‬21 ESV
So we're past the longest night of winter, that me So we're past the longest night of winter, that means it's almost spring right??
I will never be a cold weather person 🥶
Rainy in a nutshell 👉 😄 Merry Christmas ever Rainy in a nutshell 👉 😄 Merry Christmas everyone!!
It started when we were younger and you were mine It started when we were younger and you were mine
MY BABY 
😭
And it's now stuck in your head you're welcome 🤗
How often do you let your kids in to what it's lik How often do you let your kids in to what it's like to manage life as an adult? To work, budget, to eat healthy not because you have to but because you want to, to give to others, to spend time in the word, to forgive even when we don't feel like it...

I think it's so important to model and help our kids see the every day choices that are not always easy but make a huge difference in the long run. Ie. eating out less = more $$ in the bank to buy meals for the homeless or to bring a child in who need a home. Josh and I don't always feel like cooking, but it's easier when we remember we're working towards greater things ❤️

In a world of instant gratification, what are we teaching our kids to work and wait for?

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