After having some time to
reflect on the goals I had set last year, and the things I want to accomplish this year, I was finally able to come up with a decent list. I never have a problem thinking up things I want to accomplish for the year, or ways to stretch myself in one way or another, but I always struggle to set goals in a measurable manner. This year I have tried to set some goals in a numeral-way, giving me an exact number that I need to reach in order to cross the item off my list. I felt that last year's goals, although better than the previous year's, were still hard to measure in completeness. I thought that maybe numbers would help. We'll see, if not, I can always try something different next year.
I also realized that my work schedule, once it picks back up in April, is fairly nuts. This year I will have a regular, set work schedule and days off, but I still work more than I am at home. Which is fine, I love what I do, but it means there isn't a whole lot of spare time for a long list of to-do's and goals. This meant I really needed to keep my goal list focused and simple. I know that some people pick a word for their year, and I didn't really go into my goal-making think-tank session with that in mind. However, after finishing my list, there is definitely an overlying theme apparent -- simplifying and betterment. As you will see below, I really want 2016 to be the year I get my house, blog, finances, and self in order. Most of the goals I set are either focused on making something better (losing weight, regular blog posts), or making something more simple (decluttering, finances). And that is really what I want to be focused on in 2016, so that I can enter 2017 a better person with a more simplified way of life.
I broke my goals in 4 main categories: personal, financial, household, and blogging. Then I picked 2 or three items off of the big list I brain-dumped for each of those categories, and came up with this...
Personal:
- Lose 20 lbs - I accomplished this in 2015, but I definitely have more to lose. I am hoping to lose more than this over the course of the year, but I know that 20 lbs is definitely doable.
- Exercise 292 days - This is one of those number-oriented goals I was talking about earlier. I knew if I set the goal of exercising every day I was just setting myself up for failure. You and I both know that there are some days it just isn't going to happen, because life just happens -- you get horribly ill, or your kid does, you end up working overtime because of some 'surprise' project that needs to be done tomorrow and no one told you about it until today, a family member needs help with whatever and they call you, etc, etc. I took vacation days into account, and a smattering of other times when I probably will be otherwise busy. My goal really is to meet this number and then exceed it.
- Drink at least 70 oz of water everyday - I have a large mug that measures the ounces for me. Basically I just need to drink this mug full of water twice, and then I can move onto hot tea or a diet soda. I was working towards this at the end of 2015, it's a stretch, but it can be done. I try to finish my water by a little after lunch, and then treat myself to an afternoon diet soda. Sounds a little crazy I know, but it works for me, and anyone who has ever dieted will tell you, you do what works.
Financial:
- Coupon and deal shop to stick to my $350/month budget - I raised our grocery budget to $350 a month this year instead of $300. I spent some time looking over my purchases for the year, and found that I went over budget several months. I looked closer at my spending those months, and found that usually Howard was having a growth spurt and eating me out of house and home, and I purchased diapers at least once. So, since Howard is not going to stop growing or eating anytime soon, and I doubt he will be fully potty trained this year, I decided it was in everyone's best interest to raise the budget. Plus, with my increase in work hours, we have the money available to add to the budget. I will still need to watch the sales and coupon to make this happen, but I know it's possible if I try.
- Earn at least 6 - $25 Amazon gift card through Swagbucks - Since we have gotten our new I-phones and have the Swagbucks app running every day on both, we earn a crazy amount of swagbucks. This means it doesn't take me as long to earn gift cards. I still do the daily poll, NOSO offers, and daily crave everyday, and usually earn something for searching the web a couple of times a week. It all really adds up. There will probably be months when I earn more swagbucks than others, that is why I included a total number for the year.
- List at least 10 things per month online - I have discovered Facebook selling pages, and they seem much easier to use than eBay, etc. These pages do best for larger items, and there is always a lot of baby/kid stuff selling. So, I'm going to test the waters, as well as continue listing books on Amazon, and misc. higher-priced items on eBay. I fell very short last year in selling online; I'd like to make up for that in 2016. There will be months when I declutter and find 20 things to list, and then there will be months when I will be lucky to list 10 books from my ever growing pile, but I feel like 10 is a reasonable and attainable goal for each month.
- Set up at 6 Flea Markets/Shows to sell our wares - Joe and I are flea market dealers in our down time. We mostly sell antiques, collectibles, and tools, with some toys and household items thrown in for good measure. Joe has been selling with his grandparents for years, but as they have aged, we have taken over the 'business' so to speak. I love it, and have a super fun time doing it - you get to meet such interesting people, who collect all kinds of things! Plus, we can make decent money buying and selling. With living at the museum though, we don't have the freedom to do a show every weekend, 6 is about our limit.
Household:
- Completely declutter the entire house - I put this on my list every year and pretty much spend January-March working on it. I plan to do that again this year. It really sets a clutter-free tone for the house, and it helps me to get refocused after the holidays, and centered before I head back to a regular work schedule.
- Finish my 2016 project list - I am going to publish this list separately, as this post is already a bit wordy. I plan to post an update on this list monthly, just like I already do for my yearly goals and budget. There is a LOT on it, but I feel like I really need to cross that stuff off so I can move on to more fun projects.
Blogging:
- Post at least 3 times a week - I started last year blogging amazingly well, and my stats were up, and I was feeling great about the whole thing. Then I went back to work, and I had so many things tearing me away from writing, and I barely got any time to blog at all. I gave myself a lot of leeway in my blogging goals last year, which didn't work for me at all. I need to be held accountable, I need a goal number. I feel like 3 posts a week is reasonable. Most blogs I follow do not post everyday, unless they have sponsors, and/or staff. Since it's just little ole me, I feel like 3 will stretch me, but should actually be manageable, even when I go back to work.
- Do a 31 day series in October - I really enjoyed blogging daily, and sharing the things that I am thankful for in my 31 days series in October last year. I am also really glad it was only for 31 days. Posting everyday is a little stressful. But it was still fun, and I enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment I got from finishing that goal. I have a different theme already picked for this year, and I have already started brainstorming posts for October!
- Set up a Facebook page for my blog - This is pretty self-explanatory, and probably should have been done eons ago. This will most likely be one of the first goals I cross off this year with my husbands help of course.
How is everyone else doing with their goal-setting?
Anything new or different you are trying this year?
Share some of your goals in the comments...
