So remember months ago, back in July, when I mentioned that I wanted to share my goals with you for accountability? Nope, me either because that was ages ago. Sometimes I think a better name for this blog would be half baked as in a half baked attempt.
This being a new year and all, I figured it was finally time to sit down and revisit those goals, evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and formulate new goals.
One thing I did learn about goal making in general was in some areas to focus on process rather than product. For example my original health goal had a weight loss component attached to it. I have found it so much more helpful to not focus so much on the end result, but to make the goal to build up habits that will get you to that point.
In no particular order here are the areas that I have made goals in:
Intellectual
2014: Read a book every two months.
Outcome: Nailed it. I nailed it so far in you can’t see it anymore. I rediscovered reading in March thanks to the kindle, and have read like 25-30 books since then. I thought I would hate the kindle, but oh man do I love it. I am considering writing a love poem to it. I am only sort of joking.
While blogging wasn’t a New Year’s goal last year, it has definitely become a much needed intellectual outlet. I didn’t know how much I enjoyed writing before this year. Now I am wanting to work it into my daily schedule. I am toying with the idea of writing a short story and possibly something longer, except I keep having arguments with the characters over their foul mouths. I am telling them they really need to clean up their act before I will creatively give birth to them. Please tell me I am not the only one who does this?
2015: Read at least two books a month. Write something at least every week.
Spiritual
2014 Goal: Add on 15 minutes of quiet prayer and occasional spiritual reading.
Outcome: I did in fact add on 15 minutes of quiet, personal prayer on most days. However, most of my other daily spiritual practices fell by the wayside. Those 15 minutes have become very fervent and personal, however, and we have been in the process of rebuilding the others.
I read about three books for spiritual reading.
2015 Spiritual Goal: Continue the above. Renew my commitment to seeking the truth, to living sacrificial love, and striving to come to a deeper relationship with Truth and Love Himself.
Relationships
2014 Goal: 4 Date nights a month, two at home, two out.
Outcome: Um . . . I think we went out about once a month and had 1.3 planned date nights at home per month. These were soooo helpful in building my relationship with my husband and in general not going insane from daily life.
2015 Relationship Goal: Increase the date nights to every week.
Health
2014 Goals: T-Tapp 3x a week; 4 servings of veggies a day; Less than 150 grams of carbs a day; 80 grams of protein a day; 2-3 showers a week (you know you are a mom when you have to schedule showers); one other health improvement project a month.
Outcome: Embarrassing. I started out the year strong did a T-Tapp bootcamp, started flossing my teeth more regularly, did a Whole 30, ate all my veggies and protein, more or less controlled my carbs, and started taking Cod Liver Oil. Then I threw my back out in July (doing T-Tapp). Since then things have been deteriorating. Time to get back on the wagon. I have met my showering goal though!
2015: Same as before, but find a substitute for T-Tapp, and increase showers to 3-4 times a week.
Financial
2014: Save up X amount of money for a down payment on a van.
Outcome: Success! We are now the proud owners of a 2012 Honda Odyssey.
2015: Save X amount of money for replacing the roof and other home repairs.
Household
2014: One organization project a week; one small improvement project every month; one larger maintenance project every two months.
Outcome: We only had follow through 50% of the time, but those changes were very helpful. I used this organization resource and will be doing their challenge again this year. I have found that the key to getting organized is getting rid of lots of STUFF. For the improvement projects, I did a few small ones. My favorite was probably our dropzone/ mudroom wall.
Bonus Goal: Reflect on what place acceptance has in one’s life.
Since there are 7 of these (kinda), I am linking up with thisain’tthelyceum for 7 Quick Takes.
What new years goals are you looking forward to tackling? What is your approach to goal making?
I’ve been enjoying reading the various resolutions posts on blogs lately. It’s very inspiring. The degree to which you have kept your resolutions from last year is impressive. Right now we’re trying to figure out our new normal with the night shift schedule, so I can’t even figure out how much of what I want to do is realistic yet. I may have to make February my January and start my Whole30 then.
I’m reading The Power of Habit now. What do you think of it so far? Have you read Switch: How to Change When Change is Hard? I listened to most of that earlier this year, and want to come back to it and finish it. I found some great insights in it, especially with explaining to myself why I’ve had such a hard time keeping to an exercise routine and a good diet. Have you considered doing a little capsule review (like Modern Mrs. Darcy does) for some of what you’ve read? I for one would love to read them; I’m always on the prowl for book suggestions
My kindle is largely responsible for my being able to read at all. And for not spending a horrifying amount in library late fees. The other thing I’m loving to death right now is my Overdrive app on my new (Christmas present) phone. Now I can listen to audiobooks in the car while I drive or while working around the house, and I don’t have to worry about switching CDs or losing my place, which has always been my downfall with audiobooks. The list of audiobooks I have started and left unfinished because I forgot which CD I was on is miles long. And unfinished books (so long as I didn’t choose to not finish them) are a permanent irritation in the back of my mind.
Glad that you enjoyed the post. I always enjoy reading other bloggers resolution posts, especially ModernMrsDarcy’s. I was really hesitant to post this for fear of seeming narcissistic, so I am glad that you found it at least somewhat relevant. I would totally do a Whole30 with you in February! I was really thinking about doing one then anyway.
I can’t even imagine trying to navigate all the changes that would come with a spouse switching to night shift. I am getting overwhelmed just thinking about it!
I have been really enjoying The Power of Habit, I am not too far into it, but already I am starting to recognize the cue, habit, reward loops that I have built into my day. I have done a couple of the twitterature book review link up posts with ModernMrsDarcy (wow I am sounding like such a fan girl), but it has been a while. I have been reading a very loooong fanfic right now that has significantly slowed down my progress on completing other books.
Ditto what you said about the kindle. Even my $10 book purchases this month are not equalling what I was racking up in fines . . .yikes.
Far from being narcissistic, I thought your post came across as good-humoredly self-deprecating. A Whole30 partner for February sounds like a fantastic idea. Count me in! I’ll have to go back and look at your books reviews once I finish my current 3 books (can’t have just one going at a time!)
Well, so far the night shift is going as well as could be expected. We’ll have to see how we handle it long term. I am really hoping with C. being off for 4 day blocks we can finish up a bunch of the half-finished projects around the house. My to do lists are rather extensive at the moment, thanks to 4 years of our ADD approach to projects I am going to have to be more on the ball about things – after his first 2 shifts he no longer knew what day of the week it was – and normally that is my province.
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