A New Year, New Goals

A new year. A new me. That is my vow. I have already failed in some aspects.  I planned on not waiting until the last minute to write my blog, but here I am, at the end of the month, on the first month, writing my blog.

In 2020, I set goals in 6 areas of my life: health, business, psychological, relationships, financial, recreational, and spiritual. I hung those goals on my wall, so I would see them all of the time. While 2020 was a difficult year to get some of the goals accomplished, I achieved most of what I set out to do.

Here is a reminder of what those goals were:

 Health

1. Workout more. Follow through at least 5/6 days, and make sure to exercise core daily.
2. Go to sleep earlier, so I can get 7.5 hours of sleep, instead of the 5.5-6 I have been getting.
3. Be more consistent about the eating rules I already have in place.

I have done a pretty good job at working out more, though I tend to combine my workouts together on many days. I don’t want to do that anymore. I also don’t work out my core every day; that usually gets put to the wayside. I need to do better at accomplishing this goal. I did learn to belly dance in 2020, and I am planning on posting a video of my routine, but life got a head of me at the end of the year. I did do better following my 8-8 rule, until the end of the year hit. Then, I was constantly stress snacking after 8. I feel I can always do better at this rule. I am happy to report I weigh 128.6, and I feel good. This is 10 pounds under my goal weight. I have been super grateful that I don’t need the gym to work out since gyms here were closed for a while. And every day I walk at least 10,000 steps. Usually a lot more, though Sundays were difficult, especially during football season.

According to my FitBit my average sleep was 6.5 hours, which means I still have room to improve there, and I would really like to accomplish more sleep without the use of medicinal help.

My eating is better than it was last year, but in November and December I fell off the food wagon and ate snacks after 8. I need to do better at this.

Business

1. Take 4 continuing education courses throughout the year—one each quarter of the year. I hope to find ones about policy subjects I can influence through my education.
2. Become acquainted with APA Manual 7, so I can use it in my professional life however I need.
3. Create and implement a job plan to have a position by the end of the year.

I completely failed at all these goals. I could blame the pandemic or other concerns—which they all had some influence on some of the things I could accomplish—but the truth of the matter is I was overwhelmed by all of this, so I didn’t make it a priority.

Psychological

1. Say no less and yes more.
2. Develop a “growth mindset” and think positive daily. Replace irrational, unrealistic, self-defeating thoughts with reality-based and hope-inspiring thoughts.
3. Invest in bettering the life of 2 people in tangible ways.

I tried to do my best. During the months I was angry, I probably said no more than yes, and I struggled to have positive thoughts all the time, but in the last few months, I have been doing better at both.

It’s hard to judge if I have bettered the life of two people; I hope I have accomplished that.

Relationships

1. Work on communication skills to be more open and honest with others, which means I will have to be vulnerable with others.
2. Spend less time on social media and on my phone. Make sure posts are positive and uplifting for others.
3. Make time to volunteer—at least 5 hours a month—in many different ways.

I have done pretty well with this, though I know I could still do better at being vulnerable with people. I don’t like asking for help, or letting people know what I am struggling with. I have done really well with the second goal. I did a good job at making my Facebook posts mostly positive, even when bad things were happening in my life.

It was hard to volunteer when nothing is open, though I tried to volunteer with my family and friends.  I probably did not volunteer 5 hours a month.

Financial

1. Put 10% of every paycheck into savings.
2. Begin to pay off college debt.
3. Be less frugal, and utilize my money more by spending it wisely, giving it to charity, and helping people in need.

I did not pay off any college debt; the government stopped student debt payments, so I do not have to start paying off that debt until September. I did save my stimulus check to pay back my student loans. My theory: it’s money they gave me, so I will give it back to them. I do put 10% of my paycheck into savings most of the time, but I will always be frugal; that’s never going to change.

Recreational

1. Go on two vacations—one each half of the year.
2. Read 20 books this year.
3. Learn and master a new hobby by the end of the year.

I went on a vacation in August. It was hard to travel this year since flying or going to other states was nearly impossible.  My one vacation was a bit of a bummer: shark diving with no sharks, but it was nice to get away for a bit.

I learned how to belly dance. I will post my whole routine sometime soon.

I read 31 books this year. Some audible. Some paperback, but they all count. I loved this goal, and it’s something I want to keep doing for years to come.

Spiritual

1. Spend at least 15 minutes in spiritual reflection daily to have less doubt and more faith.
2. Complete 50 plans on Bible app this year.
3. Meditate 15 minutes daily.

I failed miserable at this. I read from the Bible every day—not for 15 minutes. And I am terrible at meditating. It’s just not for me, though I keep trying. I’ve tried at all different times during the day, but I just always struggle to calm my mind.

I completed 61 Bible plans. On all different subjects. Hope. Advent. Being a woman. Peace. Leadership. Anxiety.

I also wanted to be more present, which I felt I did a pretty good job with. Though at times it is difficult, as many people are hooked to their technology. I can do better. I need to do better.

I did not publish my poetry book. March hit, and I avoided life. And, again, being vulnerable is a difficult task for me to accomplish. I did use my social media to publish some short stories and poetry. Maybe one day I will be willing to fully publish my poetry.

So, new year, new goals. Same areas of life. My goals are slightly different as they reflect living during pandemic times.

Health

1. Do core exercises every day. Exercise abs in different ways: standing, sitting, lying.
2. Wake up earlier. Go to sleep earlier. Meditate before bed to sleep better.
3. More closely follow the 8-8 rule.

Business

1. Sign up for Upwork to keep current with my editing.
2. Update my LinkedIn page, and keep it updated.
3. New job. Create and implement a job plan. Apply to more Adjunct positions.

Psychological

1. Describe—keep a journal to discover why I am experiencing anxiety.
2. Learn more about mindfulness and practice the skill daily.
3. Always find positives—make a list of 5 each day.

Relationships

1. Be bolder and more vulnerable in my communication with others.
2. Be more positive in my relationships with and towards others.
3. Make time to help others. Volunteer outside of the home. Help those closest to me when they need it.

Financial

1. Create a plan to pay off debt, save, and plan for the future.
2. Use my money to help other people.
3. Increase cash flow.

Recreational

1. See Ilya. (He’s in the US, and it would be great to see him, though I know it might have to wait since he’s in New York.)
2. Publish my 2020 poems. Write more poetry consistently.
3. Expand my movie and music repertoire.

Spiritual

1. Follow along with LDS “Come Follow Me,” which is the Doctrine and Covenants this year.
2. Pray at meal times.
3. Spend more time growing in faith.

Additional goals:

1. 52 Bible apps
2. 25 books
3. Be more present:
   1. Less cell time
   2. Less social media
4. Check in with my friends more.
5. Practice more patience with the twins.
6. Procrastinate less.
7. Make my house my own (I kicked my roommate and her bad juju out, and the vibe is already different, but I need to decorate, and make the house Morgan).
8. Create an end of life folder
   1. Passwords
   2. Will

January has been a tough month for me, and I feel like I have already failed at many of these goals. I have been great at accomplishing others. I will keep plugging along. There are 11 months of 2021 left after all.