2022 Goals December Update

2022 Goals December Update

Here is my 2022 Goals December update:

Fail: Lose five more pounds. I am maintaining my weight but currently not losing much. However, from December 31 to Thanksgiving, I was down 4 pounds.  By December 31, my next loss was nothing.  Not a pound.  I will admit that starting off in January I am slowly heading down.

Maybe: Ancestry: Contact at least two cousins. I have reached out to 2 cousins but have not heard from them. I tried someone else. Does an attempt to contact someone mean I contacted them, but they didn’t contact me back?

Complete: Read 30 books. I have read  46 books,  reading two books in December.  I will admit some of them were shorter than your normal novel. Reading is always easy for me.  I crave reading.  If only I could crave walking and exercise.

Partial: Get through at least my second and third drafts of the book I wrote in 2021 and finish the first draft of my second book. On June 11, I started a class to help me write my second book’s first draft. I have created an outline for that one and written about 10,000 words. I have completed my first book. My first letter to an agent was sent in October, but then I decided to make some significant changes before I sent it out to anyone else.  So I have completed the drafts of my book written in 2021.  I am only in chapter 4 of the second book.  So it’s incomplete.

Fail: Visit three states I have not visited before. We planned to go to New Mexico, Wyoming, and North Dakota this year. We traveled to New Mexico in April. In September, I changed the plan to go to North and South Carolina. All reservations were made. And then plans changed again. We went to North Carolina and decided to go home due to my health. So we will not complete 3 states this year. I was confident about this goal, but it won’t happen.

 

Completed: two quilts. I plan to finish a quilt for my son-in-law and one for my daughter-in-law. I pushed it and worked on the quilts three days in a row, eight or more hours a day. It was exhausting. On August 30, I brought them to the quilter to be quilted. I picked them up in October and have machine sewn on the bindings.  Then I started the hand sewing of the binding. That is the most time-consuming step. I finished the hand sewing and wrapped them up for Christmas presents. They were finished a few days before Thanksgiving.  Before Christmas, I made a doll quilt for each of my granddaughters for their baby dolls.  I might make more in 2023.

Fail: Walk 1000 miles. I have attempted this for four years and never reached it. This year, I have walked only 667.6 miles. . I walk more often, but I think I will end up, if I’m lucky, getting to 700.  And I didn’t make 700. Once again, I will have to put this on my list for next year.

December was the last month of my attempt to finish this list.  And I didn’t do so well. How did you do on your goals? Let me know below. How I did this year has led me to make some tough decisions for 2023. 

 

2022 Goals August Update

2022 Goals August Update

Here is my 2022 Goals August update:

Goal: Lose five more pounds.

I am maintaining my weight but currently not losing any. I need to get more serious about losing weight. No progress in June, July, or August

Goal: Ancestry: Contact at least two cousins. I have reached out to 2 cousins but have not heard from them. I tried someone else. Most of these cousins are a lot younger than me, and I think that may be why they are not responding since I’m old. A great excuse, isn’t it? No progress in June, July or August.

Complete: Read 30 books. I have read 32 books. I read 3 books in August. This goal is complete, but I’m not stopping reading.

Goal: Get through at least my second and third drafts of the book I wrote in 2021 and finish the first draft of my second book. I have joined a group that will help me with this. And I have a writing coach now, so that should help. She and I talked on the 31st of January, and I’m excited I have been going through the third draft and making changes. On June 11, I started a class that will be helpful in writing my first draft of the second book. I have created an outline for that one.

The goal for book number one is 55,000 words, and then we will discuss the next step. I plan to be working on my 3rd draft until I hit that word count. Currently, I have 1,103 words to go. Great news – I have found two people to be Beta readers. I joined a group of fellow writers who are working on their memoirs (like my second book,) so I have been making progress on that. I currently have 4,590 words done on my first draft.

Goal: Visit three states that I have not visited before. We are going to New Mexico, Wyoming, and North Dakota this year. We traveled to New Mexico trip in April. I need to plan the other trip to Wyoming and North Dakota. However, I am thinking about changing that trip to North and South Carolina. No progress in June, July, or August.

Progressing well: Complete 2 quilts. I plan to finish a quilt for my son-in-law and one for my daughter-in-law. I pushed it and worked 3 days in a row, 8 or more hours a day, on the quilts. It was exhausting. On August 30th, I brought them to the quilter to be quilted. They should be done in early November. Then I will pick them up and put the binding on. At this point, this should be easy to complete this goal.

Goal: Walk 1000 miles. I have attempted this for 4 years and never reached it. I need to be really serious about this year. The fifth attempt must work. So far this year, I have walked only 405.5 miles. If I did this evenly each month, I’m about 261 miles behind, which is an increase, once again, not the decrease I had hoped for. I’m getting further behind each month, which isn’t good. I did walk a lot more in August, but these 100+ degree days aren’t helping my situation.

August was good for my reading, writing, and especially my quilt goals. I finished the book goal, and I am very close to finishing the quilts. Now that the quilts are done I should be working harder on the writing.

How are you doing on your goals? Let me know below. Keep working toward your goals. We can do this.

2022 Goals March Update!

We are off and running on our goals

Here is my 2022 Goals March update:

  1. Goal: Lose 5 more pounds. I am maintaining my weight, but currently not losing. I need to get more serious about losing weight.
  2. Goal: Ancestry: Contact at least two cousins. I have reached out to 2 cousins but have not heard from them. I tried someone else. Most of these cousins are a lot younger than me, and I’m thinking that may be why they are not responding since I’m old. A great excuse isn’t it?
  3. Goal: Read 30 books. I have read 13 books. Currently, I’m reading about four books at the same time. They are mostly books about writing.
  4. 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 of January and I’m excited. I have been going through the second draft and making changes. I am getting close to finishing the 2nd draft.
  5. 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.
  6. 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 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 need to go shopping. My usual fabric store has been little help, so I need to take a half-day and drive further away.
  7. 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 must work. So far this year, I have walked only 140.8 miles. If I was doing this evenly each month, I’m about 110 miles behind. I should speed up the pace in April.

March was especially good for my reading and writing goals. I had hoped March would be better for my quilts. April needs to be intense working on my quilts, if I’m going to have them ready for Christmas. How are you doing on your goals? Let me know below. Keep working toward your goals. We can do this.

My 2022 Goals

2022 Goals

Here is my list for 2022

  1. Goal: Lose 5 more pounds. I’m almost at my goal weight.
  2. Goal: Ancestry: Contact at least 2 cousins.
  3. Goal: Read 30 books. I have lowered my goal since last year. I hope to spend more time writing this year.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

2022 Goals
2022 Goals

Ideas for your list: Read my post from last year, below.

21 Suggestions to Help you Set Goals for 2021

Posted on  by Kimberly Anne

Goals

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

  1. Learn something new like how to knit, how to refinish furniture, a new craft, or something else you have always wanted to try.
  2. Take a college class for the fun of it or for a degree.
  3. Learn a second language.
  4. Learn how to snow ski or water ski.
  5. Rescue a pet from an animal shelter.
  6. Donate blood two times, or maybe five times. One donation can save up to three lives.
  7. Tend to health matters and (if age appropriate) have a colonoscopy.
  8. Another health matter that women put off–have a mammogram, if you are due.
  9. Lose ________ pounds.
  10. Declutter your entire house. This can take a while, so maybe tackle a room a month.
  11. Read the Bible in one year.
  12. Attend a Bible study.
  13. 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.
  14. Set a retirement date and stick to it.
  15. Take your mom on a vacation, while she can still travel.
  16. Purchase a motor home or tent trailer and begin traveling more frequently.
  17. Set up a budget that is realistic and includes savings for future purchases/home repairs/emergencies. And also be saving for retirement.
  18. Read ______ books.
  19. Plan and succeed at holding a surprise birthday party for someone you know that is turning 50, 60, 65, 70, 80, or older.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.

2021 Goals September Update

2021 Goals September Update

Here is my list for 2021

  1. No progress: Complete our front yard landscaping. This is an absolute must since it’s carried over from last year. Hoping for October.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Progress: Read 45 books. I have finished 36 books. I am on track to make this one.
  5. 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.
  6. Completed: Visit three states that I have not visited before. This month we finished our travel to Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.

Learn Something New Every Day

Learning is important

The older we get, the less we may remember and the more important it can be to keep our brain active. For this reason, I think all of us over 60 or maybe younger should learn something new every day, or at least once a week.

I don’t actually learn something every day, but I try to learn something new as often as possible. So some months, I may learn 30/31 new things. Other months less and maybe others more. By learning new things, we keep our minds working and, hopefully, our bodies moving.

Continue reading “Learn Something New Every Day”

2021 Goals – March Update

March Goals update

Here is my list for 2021

  1. Status: Complete our front yard landscaping. This is an absolute must since it’s carried over from last year.
  2. Status: Lose 5 pounds. I lowered this, but since I ended the year up instead of down, I am going to lose 5 pounds from my beginning weight of 2020, not 2021.
  3. Status: Ancestry: Type up the list I already have started on my mom’s mother’s side. Spend time contacting at least 2 cousins. I have reduced this goal to a more doable goal.
  4. Progress: I have finished 12 books. I am on track to make this one. Read 45 books.
  5. Status: Ride my bike. This can be a challenge because of my balance issues that seem like they will be permanent.
  6. Progress: Visit three states that I have not visited before. This was a great goal last year and we did it, despite Covid shutdowns. I’ve already picked the states, so I am ready to start planning. This month I changed my three states to include a visit to an old friend and I’ve started looking for things to do in those states.
  7. Progress: I’m doing much better than last year. I have three baby quilts cut out already. Complete 3 quilts. Adult or baby. I might get working on a quilt for my son-in-law and one for my daughter-in-law.
  8. Progress: I’m not as far as I should be, yet I have walked 156 miles. Walk 1000 miles. 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.

In March, I only made progress on four of my eight items. That is one more than the previous month.

Of course, my weight has once again gone up. Too much stress in my life right now is what I blame it on. But it’s really my fault no matter what I blame it on. I’m the one that buys the cookies at the grocery store.

How are you doing? I’m hoping that now that it is spring I will make more progress.