Goal Setting

"You are 33% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down." 

-Source: G. Matthews, 2015 research study

That's probably accurate, at least I know it is for me.  I know if I don't write stuff down I forget about it.  I have lists for everything, my desk is a treasure-trove of Post-It notes with things to do on them, and I get a huge sense of satisfaction when I can cross things off (or better yet, complete) a list.  This time of year is filled with resolutions, goal setting, and plans for a great future. So, naturally as I'm doing what many are doing this time of year, I decided to write them down!

One key thing about goals, for me, is that they have to be something I can actually achieve.  Of course it has to be something that pushes me, but not something that is so unattainable that I won't be able to do it.  If the goal makes me feel pressured or increases my anxiety it isn't a goal worth having, so I'm sure to think about why I want to achieve whatever it may be.  So now, if you're still with me, I'll give you a peek into my goals for the future!

• Read more for fun - I have always loved to read.  I actually started really reading when I was three years old.  As I got older and life got busier, reading for pleasure started to fall by the wayside.  I find that I end up reading a whole lot during school breaks, but not as much throughout the year.  So I set a small goal for myself on GoodReads - my goal is to read a minimum of 26 books for enjoyment this year.  I really hope to read much more than that, but I feel that this is a truly achievable goal and will help me get into the routine of reading more often.  This isn't just a goal for this year, but one to help me increase my reading on a continual basis.  I hope that this is just a starting point to me getting back to having reading be a part of my routine again. 
• Get out of debt - My husband and I have struggled with debt for many reasons (maybe a post more about this later).  This year we are finally in a position to really get rid of it - if we do this right!  We are both fully on board and plan to use the Dave Ramsey method and the EveryDollar app to help us get on track because the real goal is to build or buy a home by the end of the year, but we will only do so if we have paid off the debt we have planned to. My goal is to pay off the debt required for us to move into our own home by the end of the year.
• Stop accepting apologies not accompanied by changed behavior - I am an optimist and a kind person at heart.  I was taught growing up that the world is a good place overall and that we should do good for others.  I give people the benefit of the doubt and truly believe they deserve it!  However, it is also something that I have allowed to be detrimental to me at times.  I have allowed people to stay in my life longer than I should have, or treat me in ways that they shouldn't.  I have stayed silent when others have made me feel bad or said things that I didn't appreciate out of concern for their feelings, even when my own were being hurt.  I'm learning to be healthy and take care of myself and so my goal is to stop allowing my feelings to take a backseat to others. 
• Do more things for enjoyment - For many reasons, over the years, the number of things I have done for my own enjoyment has decreased.  From parenthood, to debt, to life, mental health issues, and other things (trust me... more here later) I became a homebody and feeling lonely and sorry for myself.  My goal is to do at least 1-2 things per month outside of the house with my husband and/or friends.

Well, I guess that's it... here we go! ♥♥