Over the years I’ve toyed with different ways of approaching my annual goals. I’m borderline obsessed with numbers, so they’re normally linked to some sort of coordinating figure, like 25 for 25. This year I tried something different though.
In December 2024, I took the Goals With Laken online goal-setting workshop, and following her lead, I set five somewhat-vague, overarching goals— one for each main area of my life. I chose the areas by mashing up ideas from different productivity books I read last year, like Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal and All It Takes Is A Goal by Jon Acuff and also different iterations of the Wheel Of Life that I’ve found online. The areas I chose for this year are: Me, We, Spaces, Play and Work. These five areas are then broken down into two or three subcategories each, and I created a list of mini-goals or action steps to work on over the course of the year to help me achieve those overarching annual goals (or as I call them, ambitions because I’m also borderline obsessed with alliteration— further examples below).
Laken breaks her goals down by quarter and then month, with some action steps then assigned weekly and others daily. I struggle with the quarterly breakdown concept, so I jump right to monthly goals, or missions as I call them— because, alliteration. I break those down into weekly tasks (I’m trying to find a good alliteration for this… Weekly What? Weekly Work? Weekly Wins? I’m open to suggestions!) and daily habits (Daily Do’s!) that will lead me down the path to success.
Alas, as with everything in my life, this is all still a work in progress. I already have plans to switch things up a bit next year, but that’s for a different post. In the meantime, let’s check in!
Area: Me
Subcategories: Self, Health, Wealth
Overarching Goal: Strive for self improvement, strength and security.
Mini-Goals:
Improve my cooking skills – I’m not exactly sure how this is going…I have tried a couple of new recipes, but that’s about it.
Glow up my style – this is still in progress…. and probably always will be. I’m trying to figure out my colors (I think I’m a dark autumn), come up with my 3 little words (currently “creative, comfy and cute”), pick tried and true outfit formulas I can fall back on, put together ring stack options (this is complete!), and set manicure colors by season, etc. Oh, and also add missing pieces to my wardrobe as needed.
Stick to schedules – I am so bad at this when they’re self imposed, like morning routines or cleaning checklists, but I recently revamped everything and am making a conscious effort to be better. Three days in and not doing too bad…
Lose 20+ pounds – this is a total fail lol— well at least so far it is, but I can’t imagine I’ll hit this by the end of the year. Though I am recommitting myself to really put the effort in.
Reflect regularly – I have been doing morning pages for most of the year, but just transitioned them to PM Pages (alliteration) so as to free up some time in my morning for exercise (see prior goal).
Increase net worth – I hit my figure in June, though that could change with how the stock market has been recently…
Practice slow spending – I try to set a “fun money” budget every month and plan my purchases accordingly. So far I think I’m doing pretty good on this. I’m saying 80% is a good success rate.
Hit 2025 milestones for savings goals – I think I’m on track for these, but I haven’t checked recently and I’ve changed some of them mid-year, so TBD…
Area: We
Subcategories: Friends and Family
Overarching Goal: Develop deeper connections with the important people in my life.
Mini-Goals:
Make progress on the Mom list! There is always a running list of things to do, but this is more like organize basement, declutter and organize attic/loft, etc. I have made some progress on the basement but am close to the point where I’ll need some of Mom’s input. Goal: to be done by end of Q3. Then tackle the attic/loft once it’s cooler, in Q4!
Connect with cousins more – I tend to be a loner type, but not necessarily on purpose— it’s just my nature. I love my relatives and as an only child I really want to cultivate connection with my extended family more, so I am trying to make more of a conscious effort to reach out.
Become a fur-mama – I am always oscillating on this one, but I really do want a couple of kitties. Still a work in progress…
Get together with my best friend at least 4x per year – I think this one is self explanatory, and we’re halfway there with two get togethers under our belts so far! As we get older, it becomes harder and harder to get together as frequently as we once did, so it goes on the goal list for the year so we make it happen!
Area: Spaces
Subcategories: Home, Auto and Digital
Overarching Goal: Simplify, systemize and spruce up my spaces.
Mini-Goals:
Declutter and organize everything! I think this one is self explanatory too. I’m not looking to be a minimalist, but I do want to get rid of stuff I don’t need or want anymore, and in general just have less. What I do keep, I want to have organized and be able to easily find something when looking for it.
Make progress on my Project Punch List – my Project Punch List is a list of house projects that I want to complete— either cosmetic or maintenance. Slowly but surely I’m checking off the list. And maybe adding some things along the way. As I once said in an early blog post, the list is never ending and that’s fine with me.
Get maintenance tasks completed – see above 🙂 and this is also applies to my car, which I’m up to date on. Just got a recall taken care of in July.
Clean up the Jeep – the Jeep isn’t usually in shambles; I think it’s in good shape right now. It does need a good wash and vacuum though… this month!
Test drive a Mazda Plug-in Hybrid SUV… One of my bigger life goals is to someday own an electric or hybrid vehicle. I love Mazda and am interested in their new Plug-in Hybrid SUVs. I have heard that hybrids in general can feel like they’re lurching… which I’m concerned about with my proclivity toward motion sickness. So while I am saving for a new car that I’ll need eventually, I thought maybe I should test drive a hybrid before I go too crazy saving up for it…
Sort and systemize digital files and photos – I try to keep my physical spaces relatively tidy most of the time, but my computer desktop is another story. My digital files tend to get more out of control. I also have several backups of iPhoto (is it even still called this?) from different Mac computers I’ve had along the way. I’m sure there are duplicates upon duplicates upon duplicates to go through. Sigh…
Area: Play
Subcategories: Hobbies, Experiences and Entertainment
Overarching Goal: Cultivate creativity and encourage experience, big and small.
Mini-Goals:
Read 18 fiction books – this is completed! And I’m not stopping either…
Develop my drawing style – I sort of have one already, but I don’t practice enough to feel comfortable drawing much at all really. I have two new sketchbooks that I want to dedicate to drawing and watercolor, which maybe doesn’t apply to this particular goal but just grouping it in.
Try different artsy activities – I want to make jewelry, and crochet, learn to quilt possibly, practice handlettering and look into fiber arts. So far I have started to do clothing modifications, first embellishing a graphic tee with some sequins… and I want to try to tie-dye another one too.
Have an adventure/experience at least 4x/year – the idea behind this is to go to a concert, performance or a movie, or go on some kind of bigger outing. I went to the movies once this year, so I better hurry up!
Watch all of Grace & Frankie – I love this show! I started watching it years ago but only made it part of the way through Season 2 before I decided to cancel my Netflix subscription. I restarted it earlier this year and just finished Season 3 last week. I think I’m on track to finish by end of the year.
Finish my 2024 Music Jar… last year I made a jar of musical artists who I know of and like a handful of their songs, and wanted to listen to more of. I have an Amazon Music Unlimited subscription and am listening there. I still have a bunch to go through, but think I’m on track with this one too.
Area: Work
Subcategories: Positivity and Joy, Extracurriculars and Other Projects
Overarching Goal: Approach my time at work with joy, while expanding my skills and scope.
Mini Goals:
Approach customers/coworkers with positivity and joy – I find myself grumbling more and more, and that is not the attitude I want to portray (or honestly, have). I’m trying to bring greater awareness to my actions and make a conscious effort to be more joyful.
Improve social media metrics – I enjoy working on what I call extracurriculars (social media, email newsletter, once upon a time a blog, etc) to my normal day job tasks (customer service stuff), but I feel like I put in the effort and don’t see much ROI. Need to regroup with my manager and see what we should do moving forward, to make this sustainable.
Take time off regularly – I have taken two week-long staycations so far, plus a few days to make long/longer weekends. I have a couple more planned (in theory, they are not actually scheduled yet), so I’d say this one is a success.
Complete other projects – I have a couple of other projects outside of my normal CSR tasks or my social media extras that I want to complete, like designing a new all-encompassing company brochure, decluttering and reorganizing the sample filing cabinets, and learning more of the technical side of production so I can be a bit more self-sufficient.
Wow, I thought this would be an easy week 2 post, lol—who knew I had so much to say? If you made it to the end, thank you for sticking with me!
How are your goals for this year looking so far?
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