Tag: New Year resolutions

2025 Goals

~ K ~ Leave a comment

Let’s try this again for the I-don’t-know-how-many-nth-time since I started this blog: Green indicates easiest, yellow indicates moderate difficulty, red indicates great difficulty.

  1. Read 4 full books for the year: 1 per quarter.
    a. [Jan-Mar] Red, White & Royal Blue (fiction)
    b. [Apr-Jun] Interior Castle (non-fiction, The Walk course)
    c. [July-Sept] Theologizin’ Bigger (non-fiction reread)
    d. [Oct-Dec] Defy or Defend (fiction)
    [e. (anytime) Finish Unclobbered (non-fiction)]
    [f. The Curious Case of the Werewolf That Wasn’t (fiction reread if possible)]
    [g. The Councilman (fiction) if it gets published!]
  2. Read 2 chapters of the Bible 1 day per week.
  3. Pray some time during the day for myself.
  4. Cronometer: Update at least 3x per week.
  5. Exercise 1x per week either walking outside or streaming BODi for at least 10 minutes. (Attempt to complete at least 2 BODi programs this year.)
    Options:
    a. Shaun Week
    b. T25
    c. 21 Day Fix (original) or 21 Day Fix (real time)
    d. 4 Weeks for Every Body
    e. 3-Day Split
    f. For Beginners Only
    g. Morning Meltdown 100
    h. A Little Obsessed
  6. Attend church 2x per month. (Children’s ministry doesn’t count.)
    a. First of the month – Communion
  7. Stretch goal! Visit Mom on Long Island 1x per quarter.
  8. Easiest. Book a massage 1x per quarter.
  9. Complete YA steampunk novel by Wednesday, December 31st. (Minimum: 5,000 words per month.)
  10. Take 2 LinkedIn Learning Courses by year’s end:
    a. [Jan-June]: TBD
    b. [July-Dec]: TBD
  11. Watch 2 TED/TEDx talks this year:
    a. [Jan-June]: TBD
    b. [July-Dec]: TBD

End-of-Year Update: 2024 Goals

~ K ~ Leave a comment

2024

I failed at achieving most of these goals. Miserably. I contended with a difficult first half of 2024 with issues with my son and daughter at school, then getting laid off in June, then subsequently being rehired at another place within my company (along with a 30% salary reduction), and now here I am in December, trying to figure out what I did with all that time, what I plan to do in 2025, and paring my goals back significantly from even a Top 10.

2024 Goals

  1. Read 6 full books for the year. Needs improvement.
    a. Theologizin’ Bigger (reread)
    b. So You Want to Talk About Race
    c. Rising Strong
    d. The Councilman
    e. Unclobber
    f. Red, White & Royal Blue
    None of these. The last time I read an entire book was the advance copy of Theologizin’ Bigger at the end of last year. The Councilman has been delayed, which makes me hella sad because I absolutely love the story between Gillian & Gunner. Alas, we shall see what 2025 brings. I should follow up with the author.
  2. Read 2 chapters of the Bible 1 day per week. Accomplished.
    It’s not consistent, but it’s better than any Bible reading I’ve done in a while. I’ll give this one a W for the year.
  3. Pray in the morning for 5-10 minutes 1 day per week. In progress.
    This also has not been consistent. I pray for other people and I praise God a lot, but I need to pray for myself and my needs. It’s not an L but more in progress.
  4. Noom: Update at least 3x per week. Accomplished. Adjusted but accomplished.
    I’ve canceled Noom because it’s much too expensive, and I prefer the use of Cronometer. I’ve lost 50+ this year, thanks to getting COVID-19 in February and not having any sense of smell or taste for the 6 months following, but I’m finally at a manageable weight I’m happy with. I’m down from the “obese” BMI category to the “overweight” category, and honestly, I’m okay with that. 20 lbs away from the minimum ideal BMI, but I’m fine with where I am.
  5. Exercise 1x per week for at least 10 minutes. Needs improvement.
    I did okay for the first 2 months of the year, then I got COVID-19 in February, and it was downhill from there. We’re going to try to pick this back up in 2025 with a modest goal of 1x per week either BODi or walking outside with a 10-minute minimum.
  6. Attend church 2x per month. Needs improvement.
    I started out really well earlier this year, and I’ve just fallen off the wagon. Thankfully, I’ve got Brian to keep me accountable. We’re keeping this goal as-is for 2025.
  7. Visit Mom on Long Island 2x this year. Accomplished.
    I’ve visited my Mom more than twice this year. And she’s finally retired! Free of taking care of everyone but herself! So she’s been down here recently more than we’ve gone up there, but I’d like to keep this goal as-is so I can go back and visit friends and snag some Ciro’s tortellini pizza.
  8. Book a massage once per quarter. Accomplished.
    Success! Managed it all this year. Let’s continue to carry over to prioritize my self-care.
  9. Complete YA steampunk novel by year’s end. Needs improvement.
    I did not get this done. Sad with myself, but I need to refocus on this goal. Completing this by the end of 2025 is extremely doable (Lord willing) but will require some extra dedication and sessions with Ruth.
  10. Meditate 1x per week. Fail.
    I haven’t been interested in meditating. It’s been a goal but an unrealistic one. Prayer is more important to me. This is not getting carried over.
  11. Duolingo: 2x per week for 10-15 minutes. Fail.
    I’m always finding excuses not to do this or not in the mood for it. I’m not going to make it a goal (I’ve got enough already), but I will do it as I can (or feel like).
  12. Hand journal 2x per month. Needs improvement.
    I went several months not hand journaling on and off. I think this is a doable goal, but I’m not carrying it over. I will journal when I damn well please.
  13. Substack post 1x per month. Fail.
    I haven’t written a Substack post since March. I vacillate on whether to keep this or my WordPress blog updated, but either way, I don’t think I’ll carry this over.
  14. Blog on WordPress 1x per month. Fail.
    I haven’t updated this blog since June, which I suppose is better than anticipated. I need to choose between updating this blog or Substack—not both. Whether I’ll make either a goal, I’m not sure. I’d like to keep this on my radar, but along with completing my novel, I’m not sure this will be realistic.
  15. Take 3 LinkedIn Learning Courses by year’s end. Fail.
    I took 1 course and that was on “surviving a layoff.” (facepalm) I may make this a goal for 2025, but either reduce it to 1x per year or 1x per 6 months.
  16. Watch 3 TED/TEDx talks this year. Fail.
    I may have watched 1 TED talk this year? It might have even been at the end of 2023 and I’m imagining it occurred in early 2024. TED Talks are only 10-15 minutes so it’s not an unachievable goal. I may adjust this to 1x per 6 months, and if it gets done more than that, super hooray.

By the way, I really, really, really hate this WordPress block editor, it’s not user friendly or intuitive. I really, really hate it.

2024 Goals

~ K ~ Leave a comment

2024

Hi. I’m not back. I have no delusions of resurrecting this site anymore. lol. But this was always the place I came to document my goals. Aaand to be quite honest, I haven’t had any goals in a while other than to survive. I have a lot of goals. I could pare them down, but I’ll order them in priority. I’m not resolving myself to complete these goals in their entirety. They’re just that—goals. I hope to make some progress during 2024. This is all a lot. I’ll need to make a note to myself to come back in late December 2024 and see what habits I’ve established for 2025. (Note: It is currently difficult to prioritize these goals apart from number 1.)

2024 Goals

  1. Read 6 full books for the year.
    a. Theologizin’ Bigger (reread)
    b. So You Want to Talk About Race
    c. Rising Strong
    d. The Councilman
    e. Unclobber
    f. Red, White & Royal Blue
  2. Read 2 chapters of the Bible 1 day per week.
  3. Pray in the morning for 5-10 minutes 1 day per week.
  4. Noom: Update at least 3x per week.
  5. Exercise 1x per week for at least 10 minutes.
  6. Attend church 2x per month.
  7. Visit Mom on Long Island 2x this year.
  8. Book a massage once per quarter.
  9. Complete YA steampunk novel by year’s end.
  10. Meditate 1x per week.
  11. Duolingo: 2x per week for 10-15 minutes.
  12. Hand journal 2x per month.
  13. Substack post 1x per month.
  14. Blog on WordPress 1x per month.
  15. Take 3 LinkedIn Learning Courses by year’s end.
  16. Watch 3 TED/TEDx talks this year.

2013 End-of-Year Goals Check In

~ K ~ Leave a comment

2013

1. Schedule a blog post for each month
FAIL. I didn’t post much in the summer and through the latter part of the year.

2. Go to the gym once a week
FAIL. I quit the gym because I got an elliptical trainer at home.

3. Strength train on Mondays
FAIL. I have not strength trained on Mondays. I will wait until the baby’s born before tackling this again.

4. Read 80 books this year
FAIL. I haven’t been in much of a reading mood. I’ve only read 35 books this year.

5. Craft a new novel from an original idea (not something that I’ve recycled)
SUCCESS! I started writing an original novel for NaNoWriMo. I haven’t finished it yet, but I’d like to.

6. Write a new novel from start to finish in 30 days
FAIL. I had a lot of health setbacks in November that prevented me from completing a novel in 30 days.

7. Write 300 words a day whether it’s a combination of blogging, journaling, article writing, or noveling
FAIL. I haven’t written much this year.

8. Attend the Writer’s Digest conference
SUCCESS! I attended the conference, pitched some agents, and had a mighty good time.

9. Submit query letters to literary agents
SUCCESS! I’ve gotten nothing but rejections, but I’ve submitted query letters.

10. Complete synopsis of Getting Right with God
SUCCESS! In fact, I received a synopsis from an editor that’s even better than the one I wrote.

11. Watch a movie on Saturday evenings with Jason
FAIL. I’ve been bad about doing this. I just haven’t been in a movie-watching mood. 😦

12. Submit a query letter for an article
SUCCESS! I submitted a query letter for Relevant magazine. Never heard anything back, but I did submit something.

13. Develop a routine in the morning
FAIL. I have no routine except to get the heck up.

14. Develop a routine before bed at night
FAIL. I have no routine except to fall into bed.

15. (And oh, why not?) Become a mother
SUCCESS! Fertility treatments have helped me to realize this 2013 goal. I’m due in late February 2014. Exciting!

2012 Mid-Year Goals Check In

~ K ~ Leave a comment

1. Schedule a blog post for each week
FAIL. I forgot about this. It’ll be more realistic for me to schedule a blog post for each month.

2. Go to the gym on Tuesdays for at least 15 minutes
FAIL. We are down to one car making it almost impossible for me to go to the gym during weekdays. This goal will be revised to go to the gym on Sundays for at least 15 minutes.

3. Strength train Mondays and Thursdays a week for at least 15 minutes
FAIL. I’ve forgotten about my strength training goals. This goal will be revised to strength train on Mondays.

4. Put aside $25 per paycheck ($50/month) for website redesign in March 2012 (before website expiration in April)
SUCCESS! My website has been redesigned.

5. Combat discontent by listing 3 things every day that I’m grateful for
FAIL. I’ve fallen off the wagon with that as well. I will list 3 things every night in my journal.

6. Relax 2 times a month on the Sabbath (a day off, not necessarily Sunday) by reading, listening to music, dancing, napping, meditating, watching a movie (something fun) for most of the day
SUCCESS! I’ve been relaxing more.

7. Read a book for at least 15 minutes 3 times a week
SUCCESS! I am ahead of my reading.

8. Read 36 books (3 books a month) by December 31
SUCCESS! I am on track to surpass this goal.

9. Complete half of manuscript rewrite by June 2012 (Work on 10 pages once a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays for 2 hours)
SUCCESS! My manuscript is complete.

10. Complete rewrite of manuscript by December 2012
SUCCESS! See previous point.

11. Edit for 1 new client this year
IN PROCESS. I haven’t had a new client yet but the year isn’t over…

2011 Resolutions… Goals… Targets… Likely Misses… (Revisited)

~ K ~ 5 Comments

On January 4, I promised to revisit my 2011 resolutions to see how I was doing. Most people have forgotten about their resolutions by now but I’ve mark it on my calendar to revisit these goals on June 4 (okay, I’m a day late) and December 4. Here they are in all their uncompleted glory:

2011 Resolutions/Goals

  1. Land an agent for my young adult novel. Postponed as I edit a book and revise my novel to make it even better.
  2. Exercise for at least 15 minutes 4 times a week. More like exercise for 10 minutes once every two weeks.
  3. Lose 25 lbs. Hah!
  4. Eat more salads and vegetables. I am eating more greens so I guess I’m on track so far…
  5. Read 75 (or more) books. According to Goodreads.com, I’m 10% behind my goal. I’ve only read 26 so far.
  6. Relax on the Sabbath (Sunday). [This one, by far, will be the most difficult one for me to do.] Fail. So far.
  7. Attend a writer’s conference. Done! Completed in January!
  8. Attend CCEF’s October conference in Louisville. I received a slew of invitations to weddings this year. This, unfortunately, may be an unrealized goal.
  9. Learn to be content with what I have and who I am. Working on this. It’s not easy.
  10. Spend more time with God through prayer and Bible reading. I’m on the wagon and then I’m off. Ongoing process.
  11. Attend morning church services at my home church at least twice a month. I’m a little less married to attending services at my home church than I am about getting to church twice a month.
  12. Write a post (nearly) every day on different aspects of enjoying God. I was really good with this for a while. I suppose I should start this back up. What haven’t I already said?
  13. Cut down on sweets aka be less addicted to sugar. I’ve cut back from 5-6 packets of Splenda to 2.5-3 packets—woot!
  14. Read through the Chronicles of Narnia. Oof, I haven’t even started yet.
  15. Hold scheduled write-ins at the library through the month of November for NaNoWriMo. I’ll see if this is possible. For right now, though, I can’t even think about November!

I’m not opposed to creating new goals and resolutions and dropping others as the year goes along. Upon today’s reevaluation of these resolutions from January, here are my goals are for December:

2011 Goals

  1. Land an agent for my young adult novel.  Build up clientele for book editing.
  2. Exercise for at least 15 minutes 4 times a week. Exercise for at least 20 minutes 2 times a week.
  3. Lose 25 lbs. Lose and keep off 10 lbs.
  4. Eat more salads and vegetables. 
  5. Complete the reading of 80 books. 
  6. Relax on the Sabbath (Sunday).
  7. Attend CCEF’s October conference in Louisville.
  8. Learn to be content with what I have and who I am. 
  9. Spend more time Focus on building discipline with God through prayer and Bible reading. 
  10. Attend morning church services at my home church at least twice a month.
  11. Write a post (nearly) every day once a week on different aspects of enjoying something that God is teaching/has taught me. 
  12. Cut down on sweets aka be less addicted to sugar. Designate specific days for dessert and stick to it.
  13. Read through three of the seven books in Chronicles of Narnia. 
  14. Hold scheduled write-ins at the library through the month of November for NaNoWriMo. Complete the rewrite of my novel before December 31.

In six months, I completed one of my goals. Many of these are attainable; others I don’t expect to actually complete as they are ongoing processes that will be on my annual list year after year (exercise and losing weight). But in the future, I hope that spotty church attendance becomes less of an issue.

2011 Resolutions… Goals… Targets… Likely Misses…

~ K ~ 1 Comment

I don’t have the statistics on how many people fail to keep their resolutions and how quickly it drops off but I know for certain that the percentage is high (ie, majority of people who make New Year’s resolutions don’t keep them).

So with the dawn of a new year, I’m not expecting much either so I’ve thrown something on the list that’s a definite (to make me feel better) and the rest are just hopeful shots in the dark. They’re not unrealistic but the likelihood that I’ll actually hit any of these goals by the end of 2011 is low. That being said, I’ll revisit these goals on June 4, then again on December 4 to see if I’ve made any progress.

2011 Resolutions/Goals

  1. Land an agent for my young adult novel.
  2. Exercise for at least 15 minutes 4 times a week.
  3. Lose 25 lbs.
  4. Eat more salads and vegetables.
  5. Read 75 (or more) books.
  6. Relax on the Sabbath (Sunday). [This one, by far, will be the most difficult one for me to do.]
  7. Attend a writer’s conference.
  8. Attend CCEF’s October conference in Louisville.
  9. Learn to be content with what I have and who I am.
  10. Spend more time with God through prayer and Bible reading.
  11. Attend morning church services at my home church at least twice a month.
  12. Write a post (nearly) every day on different aspects of enjoying God.
  13. Cut down on sweets aka be less addicted to sugar.
  14. Read through the Chronicles of Narnia.
  15. Hold scheduled write-ins at the library through the month of November for NaNoWriMo.

I purposely left #16 off this list. Since it falls under contentment, I will try to deal with that as best as I can.