Goal:Lose 5 more pounds. I am maintaining my weight, but currently not losing.
Goal:Ancestry: Contact at least 2 cousins. No progress.
Goal: Read 30 books. I have already read six books. The fact that I had Covid a large part of January helps explain why I’m a fifth of the way done with this goal.
Goal: Get through at least my second and third drafts of the book I wrote in 2021. Finish the first draft of my second book. I have joined a group that will really help me with this. And I have a writing coach now, so that should help. She and I talked on the 31st and I’m excited.
Goal: Visit three states that I have not visited before. We are going to New Mexico, Wyoming and North Dakota this year. We made most of the plans for the New Mexico trip in 2021 since we are going with a group. I still need to find any other things that I would like to do while we are at the “must see” spots. I need to plan the other trip.
Goal:Complete 2 quilts. I plan to finish a quilt for my son-in-law and one for my daughter-in-law. I already had the pattern for my son-in-law. In January, I have bought some of the fabric for this one. I bought a pattern and most of the fabric for my daughter-in-law in 2021. I have purchased more fabric this month. Unfortunately, I was down with Covid when the big 40% off sale at my favorite fabric store was held.
Goal: Walk 1000 miles. I have attempted this for 4 years and never reached it. I need to be really serious about this, this year. The fifth attempt better work. So far for January I have walked only 45 miles.
Covid put me behind a bit, but once it was over, I had a lot of energy that helped me catch up on things a bit, but unfortunately, not so much on my goals. I’m looking forward to a better February. How are you doing on your goals?
Completed: Complete our front yard landscaping. This is an absolute must since it’s carried over from last year. We finally did it a few weeks ago. It looks great and finally feels finished.
Completed:Lose 5 pounds. I lowered this, but since I ended the year up instead of down, I will lose 5 pounds from my beginning weight of 2020, not 2021. I am currently losing weight. In July, I started the old system I used, and I have made progress!! In September, I felt like I had hit a plateau. So I have started using Noom. I am losing weight again. And I’m excited to say I have lost the five pounds, which in reality is 10 pounds.
Progress:Ancestry: Type up the list I already have started on my mom’s mother’s side. Contact at least 2 cousins. I have contacted two cousins; however, they have not answered me back. I contacted another one and have heard back from him and his mom.
Completed: Read 46 books.
Completed: Ride my bike. I did it on July 23 – it was a bit wobbly and I will have to practice my turning, but I did it. I overcame my fear.
Completed: Visit three states that I have not visited before. In September, we finished our travel to Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas.
Completed:Complete 3 quilts. My quilts are at the quilter. So I am done.
Not completed: Walk 1000 miles. This was my 4th year to fail, but it doesn’t mean I will give up. I didn’t hit 600 miles, so that is a long way off. I tried to pick up my pace for December. But then I got sick on December 27 and there went that. Once I feel better again, I will have to work harder to hitting this next year.
In December, I read two books. Thanks to Noom, I have lost the weight I wanted to for the year. I did pretty well with my holiday eating. It seems like I should give up on walking 1000 miles, but I am not going to unless something drastic happens.
How did 2021 go for you? I hope you did better than you expected. 2022 has just begun. Let’s make it a productive year.
Goal:Lose 5 more pounds. I’m almost at my goal weight.
Goal:Ancestry: Contact at least 2 cousins.
Goal: Read 30 books. I have lowered my goal since last year. I hope to spend more time writing this year.
Goal: Get through at least my second and third drafts of the book I wrote in 2021. Finish the first draft of my second book. This is really scary saying this, but I really want to accomplish this.
Goal: Visit three states that I have not visited before. We are going to New Mexico, Wyoming and North Dakota this year. We made most of the plans for the New Mexico trip in 2021 since we are going with a group. I still need to find any other things that I would like to do while we are at the “must see” spots. I need to start planning the other trip.
Goal:Complete 2 quilts. I plan to finish a quilt for my son-in-law and one for my daughter-in-law. I already had the pattern for my son-in-law. No fabric yet. I bought a pattern and most of the fabric for my daughter-in-law in 2021.
Goal: Walk 1000 miles. I have attempted this for 4 years and never reached it. I need to be really serious about this, this year. The fifth attempt better work.
This year I have a small head start, so I’m hoping I finish this list this time. Plus, I reduced the number of goals, however, a few of them are harder than last year.
I hope you have made your list for 2022. Let’s do this together and share the ups and downs that lie ahead.
Ideas for your list: Read my post from last year, below.
Goals are things that are achievable. They aren’t wishes or dreams that you know are not attainable. An example of a goal is to pay off a certain amount of debt, to hand-make all your greeting cards for the year, to lose 10 pounds, or to learn how to knit. Some things that would be unattainable for me would be to lose 50 pounds, win $1,000,000 in the lottery (I don’t play,) or become President of the United States.
Goals should be given some thought. Don’t write five things down and think you are done. There is a lot more to it than that. Especially if you plan to succeed.
Why set goals?
Goals should add value to your life. They must interest you. They should improve your life or the life of others. Areas to improve include your home, your health, your family relationships, your finances, and your faith.
How to achieve your goals
Last year, I set 10 goals for the year. Ideally, if you are setting goals, you begin making progress in January so that you will have plenty of time to complete them. It’s pretty difficult if you wake up in October and decide it might be time to get going on reaching your goals for the year. Push yourself if needed. I ended October this year with only five of my ten goals completed, but I still hope to come very close.
Setting goals is easy. Achieving them is not always so easy. To keep you working toward your goals, they should be written down. View your list regularly and be sure you are making progress. Progress could be selecting a design for a remodel of your home. Or maybe you have signed up for lessons to knit. Start a project on January 1, which will take you all year to accomplish, like reading the Bible in a year. It is wise to share your goals with at least someone that can hold you accountable. I’m available – comment below.
Here is a list of suggestions for you to consider for your list of goals for 2021
Learn something new like how to knit, how to refinish furniture, a new craft, or something else you have always wanted to try.
Take a college class for the fun of it or for a degree.
Learn a second language.
Learn how to snow ski or water ski.
Rescue a pet from an animal shelter.
Donate blood two times, or maybe five times. One donation can save up to three lives.
Tend to health matters and (if age appropriate) have a colonoscopy.
Another health matter that women put off–have a mammogram, if you are due.
Lose ________ pounds.
Declutter your entire house. This can take a while, so maybe tackle a room a month.
Read the Bible in one year.
Attend a Bible study.
Tackle a fear that you hold on to. Maybe try flying on an airplane for your first time. Other fears that can be tackled include going to the dentist or a fear of heights.
Set a retirement date and stick to it.
Take your mom on a vacation, while she can still travel.
Purchase a motor home or tent trailer and begin traveling more frequently.
Set up a budget that is realistic and includes savings for future purchases/home repairs/emergencies. And also be saving for retirement.
Read ______ books.
Plan and succeed at holding a surprise birthday party for someone you know that is turning 50, 60, 65, 70, 80, or older.
Tackle a momentous dream you have always known you could do, but you never have tried. Like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa or Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, California. Go on an African Safari or visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Mail a card or letter to someone each month. Ideas: your grandmother, a favorite aunt, the uncle that taught you how to ride a bike, the widow that sits near you in church. You can send this to the same person all year, or to twelve different people. Make their day. And if you want, do it secretly and maybe tell them who you are in December.
So what do you think? Will you be making a list of goals this year? You can start with one or two items and increase it next year. Please let me know in the comments section below.
Completed: Complete our front yard landscaping. This is an absolute must since it’s carried over from last year. We finally did it a few weeks ago. It looks great and finally feels finished.
Completed:Lose 5 pounds. I lowered this, but since I ended the year up instead of down, I will lose 5 pounds from my beginning weight of 2020, not 2021. I am currently losing weight. In July, I started the old system I used, and I have made progress!! In September, I felt like I had hit a plateau. I switched to Noom. I am losing weight again. And I’m excited to say I have lost the five pounds, which in reality is 10 pounds.
Progress:Ancestry: Type up the list I already have started on my mom’s mother’s side. Contact at least 2 cousins. I have contacted two cousins; however, they have not answered me back. I contacted 8 cousins on November 29. One of them was a second request, so I’m hoping to have results this time. On November 30, I heard from one of my cousins. We are talking back and forth to each other. Excited. I hope to complete this in December.
Progress: Read 45 books. I have finished 44 books. I am on track to make this one, easily since I’m already started on my 45th.
Completed: Ride my bike. I did it on July 23 – it was a bit wobbly and I will have to practice my turning, but I did it. I overcame my fear.
Completed: Visit three states that I have not visited before. In September, we finished our travel to Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas.
Completed:Complete 3 quilts. My quilts are at the quilter. So I am done.
Progress: Walk 1000 miles. I’m not as far as I should be. I have walked 584 miles, walking 61 in November. This has been something I have attempted for 3 years and never reached it, but this year is my worst and I’m not sure why. However, I have to give up on this. But at least I’m going to go out trying hard to get as far as I can.
In November, I read three books. Thanks to Noom, I have lost the weight I wanted to for the year. I need to make it through Christmas yet. I still have another 6 to go next year, but maybe I’ll be able to lower that by the end of this year if I lose some more weight. We completed our yard, which looks great. And I’ve made more progress on my ancestry project.
So I made some progress. How are you doing with your goals? I hope you are checking them off your list.
And 2022 is just around the corner. Have you started making, or at least thinking about, your goals list for 2022? I have. Several items remain the same, but there will be some new things on mine. And I’m determined to walk my 1000 miles next year!!!
Be sure to commit below on your progress. I’d love to hear how you are doing with your goals.
Thanksgiving is a time of giving thanks for your blessings and we don’t think about it as a time of tragedy. But this year there will be many people that will be in the midst of or just getting beyond a tragedy. And they will have to decide if they will be celebrating Thanksgiving after tragedy.
So many things could happen to stop or delay your Thanksgiving celebration. A death in the family can cause you to cancel it for the year or postphone it a few days or weeks. Or maybe you will be having a small meal at your home. And other family members will do the same or gather with other friends and family.
If someone in the family is hospitalized or just released from the hospital it may cause you to change the plans.
A very unexpected tragedy could be the loss of the home where you gather due to flooding, a fire, or a hurricane.
No progress: Complete our front yard landscaping. This is an absolute must since it’s carried over from last year. Unfortunately, this waits for my husband to instal sprinklers, so I don’t have much control over it.
Progress:Lose 5 pounds. I lowered this, but since I ended the year up instead of down, I will lose 5 pounds from my beginning weight of 2020, not 2021. I am currently losing weight. In July, I started the old system I used, and I have made progress!! In September, I felt like I had hit a plateau. So I have started using Noom. I am losing weight again. And I’m excited
Progress:Ancestry: Type up the list I already have started on my mom’s mother’s side. Contact at least 2 cousins. I have contacted two cousins; however, they have not answered me back.
Progress: Read 45 books. I have finished 41books. I am on track to make this one, easily.
Completed: Ride my bike. I did it on July 23 – it was a bit wobbly and I will have to practice my turning, but I did it. I overcame my fear.
Completed: Visit three states that I have not visited before. In September we finished our travel to Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas.
Progress:Complete 3 quilts. I’m doing much better than last year. I have three baby quilts cut out already. My only progress this month was to buy fabric for the backing of the quilt, that I have yet to sew. I have sewn one – it is now about 3/4 done. Instead of all baby, I might get working on a quilt for my son-in-law and one for my daughter-in-law. Maybe next year.
Progress: Walk 1000 miles. I’m not as far as I should be. I have walked 523 miles. This has been something I have attempted this for 3 years and never reached it, but this year is my worst and I’m not quite sure why. This year it is in writing, so I had hoped I will complete it at last. However, I think I might have to give up on this.
In October, I read 5books. I am making progress on my weight. I am down about 8 pounds since I started Noom. I’ll continue doing that for the rest of the year, I hope, but Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming and I tend to eat more then. Doesn’t everybody? I’m sure Noom will give me guidance.
No progress: Complete our front yard landscaping. This is an absolute must since it’s carried over from last year. Hoping for October.
Progress:Lose 5 pounds. I lowered this, but since I ended the year up instead of down, I will lose 5 pounds from my beginning weight of 2020, not 2021. I am currently losing weight. In July, I started the old system I used, and I have made progress!! In September, I felt like I had hit a plateau. So I have started using Noom. I am losing weight again.
Progress:Ancestry: Type up the list I already have started on my mom’s mother’s side. Contact at least 2 cousins. I have contacted two cousins; however, they have not answered me back.
Progress: Read 45 books. I have finished 36 books. I am on track to make this one.
Completed: Ride my bike. I did it on July 23 – it was a bit wobbly and I will have to practice my turning, but I did it. I overcame my fear.
Completed: Visit three states that I have not visited before. This month we finished our travel to Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas.
Progress:Complete 3 quilts. I’m doing much better than last year. I have three baby quilts cut out already. My only progress this month was to buy fabric for the backing of the quilt, that I have yet to sew. I have sewn one – it is now about 3/4 done. Instead of all baby, I might get working on a quilt for my son-in-law and one for my daughter-in-law. Maybe next year.
Progress: Walk 1000 miles. I’m not as far as I should be. I have walked 523 miles. This has been something I have attempted this for 3 years and never reached it. This year it is in writing, so I hope I will complete it at last. However, I will have to speed things up to come close.
In September, I read 4 books. One of which was the Bible, but I had started that last year. Some books take longer than others. I am making progress on my weight. I am down a few pounds, and I’ll continue doing that for the rest of the year, I hope, but Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming and I tend to eat more then. Doesn’t everybody? I’m sure Noom will give me guidance. My trip to three states is complete. We are actually making plans already to travel to New Mexico next year with a group. And I have narrowed it down to 4 states, 2 of which I’d like to add to New Mexico to get my three for next year.
My father taught me how to ride a bike in the JC Penneys parking lot across the street from our home on a Sunday afternoon. JC Penneys was closed on Sundays back then. There was plenty of open space for me to learn in. Later in life, he taught me how to drive a car in a high school parking lot when the school was closed. I always thought that once I learned how to do these things, I would never forget how. I didn’t forget how to do both of them, but riding my bike again at 65 would be a challenge.
Eventually, following surgery to remove a brain tumor, I had to drive my car again and see if I could do it successfully. That was easy, even though I waited months to do it. Riding my bike again at 65, following two surgeries, was more difficult.
