20 Goals in 2020 – Week 1

I do best when I have lists of things I’ve decided to do and cross the items off. I need to see right in front of me what I’ve decided to prioritize. I need to have the satisfaction of seeing items on the list crossed off. There is something about the act of crossing things off and seeing them accumulate that energizes me.

The past few years I’ve thought about doing a weekly series of goals, but didn’t. This year I decided I am going to try it so over the past few days I’ve created this list from all the thoughts and ideas running around in my head. Some of these seem very achievable to me. Some seem like a stretch. Some feel beyond my control, but I still want to reach for them. Some will seem like I should be aiming a lot higher, but I want to be reasonable. Setting myself 20 goals I’m going to struggle to meet is not motivating. So I could and would like to set some of these higher, but I’m going to allow myself some grace.

The problem with making a list like this and committing to updating it publicly each week is I could fail spectacularly and then you all will know it. I also can’t know what the year holds and so to “plan” for a year seems like presumption. But these are all doable, important, and reasonable. They are also things that I can do by myself (for the most part). I tried not to include too many things that require David’s help because those goals become very frustrating when he isn’t available to help me.

My plan is to post an update every Wednesday. If you would like to play along at home (and I sincerely hope some of you will), please leave your goals for 2020 in a comment. It can be two or three or ten or twenty. There is no right or wrong number. The important thing is to select goals that are important and encourage each other. (UPDATE about why I stopped updating weekly: The Hours and Days Create Your Life)

Goal 1: Have 20 minutes of Bible, prayer, and quiet time each day

I decided to start my reading with Malachi and move into the New Testament, reading in chronological order. So that’s what I’m starting with this year using this free printable (PDF).

Goal 2: Read 20 books

I have a reading tickler list page that you can see. I have no set agenda regarding what I want to read. I just know I want to read books, not just internet stuff. I would expect it would include lots of non-fiction, politics, theology, and light novels written a long time ago. I’m not into stressful reading, best-sellers, or contemporary fiction. Trust me. I’m not someone who is going to dazzle you with my amazing reading list. LOL!

Goal 3: Write 20 personal letters and send via snail mail

Write actual notes or letters to people. Birthday cards and such don’t count.

Goal 4: Clean out, label, and organize 20 years worth of digital photos

This one overwhelms me, but it isn’t going to get any easier if I keep waiting. I need to start to methodically go through all of it and do something with it.

Goal 5: Lose 20 pounds

I feel a bit iffy about this one. It’s a very (very) valid goal. It also feels like one of those I don’t have as much control over as I would like. If you are over 50, you will know what I mean. My weight can vary by 5-10 pounds a week just because of the wackiness of being over 50. It’s nuts. But necessary.

Goal 6: Lose 20 inches

I took all my measurements this morning. I’d like to lose 20 inches in some combination of waist, hips, thighs, bust, calves and upper arms.

Goal 7: Walk 200 miles

This probably sounds like not very many miles to walk in a year. Truth be told, before I had EoE, I would power walk on the treadmill 30-45 minutes three or four days a week. I haven’t walked at all in the past few years. My worst triggers are dust and grass so walking is complicated. I am feeling somewhat better so I’ve dusted off the treadmill and am going to try to get back at it, even if it’s just a half a mile a day. I have no idea what to expect so I’m aiming low at this point.

Goal 8: Go on one bookstore/coffee shop night out each quarter as a family

We need to get out and have fun. I originally had once a month for this one, but changed it to once a quarter since some months are much more challenging than others.

Goal 9: Find 20 new EoE-friendly foods and/or recipes for myself

I desperately – and I do mean desperately – need to vary my diet and make progress in this area.

Goal 10: Clear out the basement once and for all and finally have a crafting area I can use

If I were truly brave (or insane) I would share before and after pictures. Actually the basement is organized except for a bunch of stuff I just don’t seem to be able to deal with. In my defense, DUST. Anything that is older (books, papers, etc.) makes me sick. I could probably complete the entire task in a couple of days if I could go at it and totally focus. But I can’t and so it drags on and on and on.

Goal 11: Increase our family income by 40%

This is a lofty goal. But really necessary.

Goal 12: Reduce our family debt by 20%

Also necessary.

Goal 13: Create 100 new products for my shop

Okay, this is a HUGE reach because we are also in the midst of rebranding and updating all 300+ products I already have. But I really want to do this because of Goal 11 and Goal 12.

Goal 14: Pin 20 posts, pages, or products from my site to my Pinterest boards 3 days a week

I really don’t mind doing this, but I forget. I think if I add it to this list, I’ll remember and do it.

Goal 15: Add 20 new pieces of content to the forums each week

This one should be the easiest since I enjoy it the most. LOL!

Goal 16: Learn how to process and watermark photos for my site

I would like to be less dependent on David so I could do more with my site. Not sure about this one, but I’m putting it down as a wish list goal to meet sometime this year.

Goal 17: Create 1 product all by my big self (as little Caroline would say)

I would like to try to teach myself how to use PowerPoint to create a product by myself. Right now I do all of the content creation, but David does all of the actually making of the product since he’s the graphic designer. Again, I’d like to be less dependent on him.

Goal 18: Add 20 unit study posts to my site

This has been on my to do list for many months. Due to changes with Google, Amazon, etc. I’m glad I dragged my feet a bit. I still plan on doing more unit studies, but with a modified approach.

Goal 19: Record and release 10 podcast episodes

This one heavily depends on David’s availability, but I would like to do more podcasts.

Goal 20: Leave 10 comments each week on other blogs

I want to take the time to encourage other bloggers. I think by putting this here, it will spur me on to do so.

So those are my goals. I’m probably forgetting something, but this is what I’m going to make public and try to follow through. I’ll give myself one week to tweak these if needed.

Do you have goals you would like to share in the comments? I really hope you will!