I love goal setting. I am one of those people that loves to write it down and see my goals in print, giving me accountability to myself and what I want. My goals are small and realistic. They don't turn my life upside down and they aren't meant to change the world. Mostly my goals are there to check in and to continue to work on the things that give me the greatest joy or are the most important to me. It's a way for me to keep them at the forefront and not lose them in all the other opportunities or responsibilities. The next best thing is the REFLECTION part of this process. I love checking in on my self quarterly to see how I am doing. Not all goals are equally persuade at all times of the year, although some always are such as relationships. Sometimes a check-in helps me reevaluate a goal, whether it serves me anymore, if it needs to be adapted or potentially dropped. I love meeting every goal but I am learning to value the PROCESS not the RESULT.
One of my goals in 2021 was to Run 1000 km. I tracked it right from the beginning. I was doing really well mid-year and going into the summer. Then in August I gained an injury and slowed down. I still continued to run but returning back to work in September and struggling with my back, I slowly started slipping a little bit. I turned to walking daily, stretching more frequently and trying new therapies. By mid-November I realized in order to meet the goal I would have to run a lot in the last month and a half. I wanted to throw in the towel, I knew if I reached the goal I was going to be stressed and have to give up time in my other parts of life that were going well. I would be so focused on reaching the goal that I would not enjoy the holidays and not make time for friends, reading, stretching, etc. I had to dig deep and come to celebrate all the running I did do and could continue to do. Also the fact that I had brought cross-training back into my life with Beach Body and was walking almost daily with my husband and connecting with him in a good way. In the end I ran at least 839km. More importantly I had to practice not thinking of my goals as process of growth and not having an all or nothing mentality. In the end I am proud that I continue to put my health, wellness and exercise as a priority because it makes me happy, strong, and centered.
Let's take a look at my other goals.
1. Relationships. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I continued to hold my closest people close and didn't really expand further beyond that to be honest. As much as I like the idea of expanding my tribe, the thing is, I love my tribe and those relationships require time, energy and tending. I continued to connect with the women in my book club monthly and we even added a few new members throughout the last part of the year that I am looking forward to getting to know better.
2. Read 12 books. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I read 15 books this past year. Disclaimer I did listen to four audiobooks this year which is new for me but I am hoping to continue this trend in 2022. To see my books and reviews go here.
3. Blogging. ⭐⭐⭐ I am giving myself a three because I still struggle with finding time to balance all the things that I love including brainstorming, creating, writing, reading other blogs, and connecting on social media. I just don't know how to make more time without taking up more time from my other responsibilities and hobbies that I love. So that struggle continues. BUT!!!!! I have joined the ladies of Ageless Style and I am looking forward to growing my friendship and blogging connections with and through them. Join us every third Thursday of the month by linking up your favorite fashion related posts with us!
4. Finances. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I actually think we did really quite well on this again this year, probably due to limited travel. We got away to visit my sisters family at the beginning of summer and that was a blast. We saved enough money for a family all-inclusive for 2022 (that's getting canceled), managed to put away money for both a major trip we plan to take the girls on when they graduate, also just our savings towards whatever may be needed in the future and we splurged on a hot tub for the family! Yep, overall we managed pretty well!
5. Photography. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My little side business grew this year and so did my confidence! I am so thankful for all the families that have booked me over the past year and have supported my learning and growth journey in this area. You can see a full gallery at
A & H Snapshots or sometimes I post on my IG account.
It's great you did so well with your goals even if yo udidn't meet your running one you're right to celebrate what you did do! :)
ReplyDeleteI read a few of the same books as you as well - I was thrilled to read 103 books last year, as we spent a lot of time at the library and there was always a good book or two I'd go home with, haha! Not sure I'll be able to read the same amount this year as things will be changing up a bit but it was nice to make it a priority this year :) I used to read so much before kids and I enjoyed getting back to it!
Hope that 2022 is off to a good start for you! :)
Away From The Blue
A 103 is absolutely incredible!!!! MY jaw in literally hanging. Well done. You must give me a few of your favorites to add to my list. I think if I can listen to about 10 this year that would really bump my consumption up.
DeleteSo far 2022 hasn't been my favorite as we are in extreme cold temps now going on to three weeks but its supposed to end at the end of this week and then things will look brighter I am sure.
Happy New Year! You did great with your 2021 goals! I think it's important to celebrate the small wins even if you didn't meet one! Finding the balance between blogging, working and everything else is so hard. I in the process of setting my goals for this year and need to do a better job checking in on them!
ReplyDeleteJill - Doused in Pink
I try to check into them quarterly just because not all of my goals are progressing at the same time and pace. Sometimes they need to take a step back or to be re-evaluated. I am looking forward to hearing about what your 2022 intentions are.
DeleteReflecting on goals is always helpful for me to see where I need to focus. What is life but an opportunity to grow!
ReplyDeletewww.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
That's exactly how I feel! I try to do it quartely.
DeleteBravo, my friend!! The relationships goal seems most important to me and you did wonderfully well of in loving those you love the most. I think that was probably my strong suit this year, too. Although, I worry all the time that I am slighting my Prince C.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of setting a running distance goal for the year. I made a goal of trying to run a marathon distance each month. Will try to continue that this year but it has been suggested by my spine doctor that it is probably time to give up the running.
Good job on the photography business and on thinking about the future and retirement. It's never to early to start planning for that.