While riding in the car for 45 hours during our road trip to Iowa for Christmas, I had ample time to reflect on 2013 and make some goals for the new year. Honestly, 2013 was such a blur. From January to December, so much changed.
I learned a goal setting technique some time ago that radically changed the way I make New Years Resolutions. Instead of setting goals for the entire year in January, I make a list of ten goals for the year, but re-write it every week. If something happens that requires my priorities to change, there's no guilt. I found that I accomplish much more than when I wasn't able to take unforeseen circumstances into account.
Last year, I ...
Actually made money from my blog
Started a small business
Reached my goal weight
Got more involved with managing our finances
Trained for and ran a 5k
Was published in a magazine
Finished my quilt
Finished my wedding scrapbook
Started an Etsy shop
Redesigned Scribbles from Emily
Made art
Guest posted on 3 blogs
Quit Target
Curated my wardrobe to 100 items
Paid off a school loan
Guest posted on 2 more blogs
Applied for 20ish jobs
Traveled (California, Oregon, Iowa)
Got better at driving
Made two new friends
Maintained goal weight all year
Did an internship
Got a full time job
This year, I hope to accomplish at least these, some of which carried over from last year:
Run a faster 5k (February). My first was 45 ish minutes, so I'd like to do better this time!
Pay off school loans. With my full-time job, we could potentially be out of debt this year!
Get a bigger bed, bedroom furniture. Much needed. Can't handle sleeping in a full sized bed much longer.
Read 12 books. Approximately one a month, so if I read the Harry Potter series again, that takes care of seven.
Blog 52 posts on scribbles from Emily. Aiming for once a week.
Build a professional wardrobe. Also much needed!
Re-decorate house. A goal from last year, I've come to terms with the fact that I'm not very good at interior design. I'd like to learn some new skills in this area.
Finish embroidery pillows. I started these ages ago, and can't wait to finish them.
Learn to golf. It looks like a fun sport, that I could actually get good at.
Take a writing class. Since I'm a writer now, I'd like to work on my technique and learn some things that can help my career. Plus, it'd just be fun.
Last year, my theme was Confidence. This year, my theme is Brave.
It's similar, but difference. Brave is doing the right thing, even when you don't feel confident. It's doing what you need to do, even when you're still afraid. It's saying what you need to say, knowing that not everyone will like it. Brave is pushing for what you believe in, standing up for the right, and being yourself instead of fitting in. Sometimes, being selfless is brave.
I think I was inspired by this song, that I'm kind of obsessed with right now.
I like choosing songs for different seasons of my life, and this is mine right now. I was also a little influenced by reading Divergent.
The verdict is still out on where I'd rank this book in comparison to the Hunger Games and other dystopian literature, or young adult literature.
Regardless, I plan to accomplish something brave this year. What about you? What are you excited about for 2014?