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Hello!! Ah, it's getting tough these days. Steve's new article about maintaining momentum through winter is so apt right now. This challenge, I'm going to focus on doing the things I've gotta do, while attempting to maintain what I outta be doing (balancing the urgent and the important). Here are the battles I've been fighting lately: 1. Graduate school applications. My first application is due Dec 15. Grad school has been on my mind since August. I'm soooooo close to the finish line! 2. Research paper. My advisor has set a tentative Dec 9th deadline for a draft. Gosh, I feel like I've been working on this for forever as well. Mostly in a "binge and fast" fashion. :/ It's not good, but I'm glad this will be over soon too! Then it's just revising and hopefully submitting the paper by the end of the year! 3. Money probz. Usually my finances are on-point, but this season's got me stressed. I have a really big family, so gifts add up. I don't want to NOT send out gifts, but between the holidays, car stuff, travelling, and application fees, I'm really feeling strapped. I suppose there's not much I can do about it, but it's something that I've been dealing with lately. For these upcoming weeks, I'm going to do some of the usual challenges and also attempt to complete some NF Academy Quests: Main Challenges 1. Floss (X/7) - Dental Hygiene FTW 2. Drink a cup of water in the morning (X/7) - I'm trying to stay better hydrated through the day. Maybe this will help me get kick-started. Academy Goals (one per week in addition to the ones above): Week 1. Pack a lunch for work (X/5) - a true challenge now that I have officially run out of Thanksgiving leftovers. xD Week 2. Keep a food log (X/7) - I'm bad at daily accountability. I already even have an instagram for this. You can find me at punch_tonic. Week 3. No junk food (X/7) - I think I decided that dessert is acceptable. Week 4. No unplanned snacking (X/5) - There's so much candy in my house....so yeah this is pretty important. Bonus points! (+1% ea): Read before bed Exercise* Avoid Carbs (1 point/meal)* Loot I'm trying this thing where instead of a specific item, it's a "coupon". I'm pretty strict with my money, so I think giving myself "permission" to spend frivolously will be motivating. Maybe it won't! We'll see! 100% (high success) - $60 80% (medium) - $40 60% (low) - $20 <50% (consolation) - $1/bonus point with a star Are y'all excited for the end of the dumpster fire that was 2016?!?!?! Gotta finish strong!