Setting Goals

I’m a goal setter and last year, after learning about 18 for 2018, I set 18 goals for 2018. Now, while I pride myself on setting goals, I’m not the best at reaching all of my goals. . . yet! Today, I reflect on the goals I met, the goals I haven’t met. . .yet, and the goals I’m setting for myself for 2019.

18 for 2018

monitor sugar intake – During a challenge at the gym in September, I was able to successfully monitor my sugar intake for about 3 weeks. Within those 3 weeks, I lost about 8 pounds, but more importantly, I was able to quit soda! I have not had a soda since September 18, 2018!
get back in touch with creative side (craft, paint, re-purpose, etc.) I enjoyed many crafty activities in 2018, including beginning Pinterest Parties in which the participants create a craft based on a theme.
weekend at Hotel Hershey (particularly the spa!) I was not able to schedule this in for 2018, so it’s on my list for 2019.
create accent wall in basement We did create an accent wall out of reclaimed wood in the basement.
say “yes” to my kids more I tried this, but I’m not sure I was incredibly successful!
Family Fun Friday Night once a month This, unfortunately, fizzled out pretty quickly in early 2018.
finish 3 puzzles and frame them Never even took the puzzles out of their boxes.
bi-monthly adult evenings out We were fairly successful at this. I forgot to keep count, but there were several times that we went out with other couples in 2018
plan family weekend trip to Philadelphia I wasn’t able to schedule this for 2018, so it’s on my list for 2019.
date night once a month We were able to get several date nights in during 2018, but I don’t think they were monthly.
clean out email in-box (this is a doozy!!) I did not get to this, so it is on my 2019 list.
be in touch with long-time friends I did an OK job with this, but I want to do an even better job in 2019
read every day (2017 was not my best reading season) I did not read every day and 2018 wasn’t my best reading season either. I’ve set a new reading goal for 2019.
increase weight when strength training I started increasing the weight, but I stopped weight training regularly. I hope to get back to it in 2019.
watch Big, Little Lies I binge watched the first season and hope to be able to binge watch the 2nd season when it comes out in 2019.
write EVERY day I was unsuccessful at this, but hope to find, no make, more time for writing in 2019.
create family photo albums I created one family photo album. ONE!
organize home library I was unsuccessful at this in 2018, so have added it to my 2019 goals.

And here are my 19 for 2019

I hope that you are able to take some time to reflect on your 2018 and project what you would like to see in 2019. As the ball drops tonight on another year lived, I am hopeful that you find exactly what you are looking for in the new year!

For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed learning. I love to grow in various facets, both personally and professionally. “My Learning Life” is my opportunity to reflect on my learning as a reader, writer, and teacher.

I am a firm believer that the effort we put into something directly correlates to how much we get out of it. Lately though, I feel that I have been spinning in circles. I have been putting forth effort in a lot of different areas, but haven’t been able to really see the benefits in any one area. I think I’m burning the candle at both ends.

So for 2015, I’m going to be a “goal” getter. I have always worked better with set goals because I tend to challenge myself to meet those goals. My hope is that making my goals public will help me hold myself accountable, but will also help me to narrow my foci for 2015 and allow me to put forth effort into a few areas instead of a lot of areas.

Work out 5-6 times a week My ultimate goal is to make this a habit by my birthday (it is one of my 40 Things to do Before 40).
Write every day — my goal is to post 3/4 times a week to daily on this blog in addition to the other writing I do.
Read more — I read every day, but I need to build up my stamina in reading again. I’d like to finish a book a week during the school year and a book a day during breaks and the summer.

That’s it. Three goals. These are three areas that I have tried to work on over the last couple of years, but they always seemed to take a back burner when other things arose. This year, I’m going to make these front and center.