A couple of years ago, I decided to change up the way I established my goals for the year by using a word to center my goals. In 2017, my word was balance, and I used that word to guide my approach to my goals. 2018, the word I picked was gumption and I continued to remember balance along with gumption since I did not change too much with my goals from 2017 to 2018. This year, I decided on a new word of that has been really moving me forward since about June, along with modifying my existing goals. After reflecting on my progress, I realized that by the summer, I loosen up on my goals and the steps I’m taking to follow them. So, this year, I have made a note in each month of my planner to take a minute and reflect on these goals and my word of the year. Here is a year in review and my 2019 personal goals.
2018: A Year in Review & My 2019 Personal Goals
Prioritize
This has been a goal of mine for the past two years, and by prioritizing my time and commitments, it has been easier to say no. I did really well prioritizing in the early part of 2018 and towards the end of the year, but I slacked up in the middle of the year and started feeling overwhelmed again. Also, for 2019, I am focusing on prioritizing the content I want to share in this space and making it relevant to my professional interests as well.
Exercise
A continued goal from 2017 & 2018: There were times in 2018 where I dropped off my exercise routine and it made me feel like a slug. I find that when I plan my months, scheduling my workouts and adding them to my calendar makes me more committed. I have already scheduled my workouts for January and have really loved being back in the rhythm of my barre classes over the last couple of weeks.
Explore
A continued goal from 2017 & 2018: David and I definitely had some great adventures in 2018. I was committed to exploring new places each month, and was happy to have content to share with you each month as a result. You can see our 2018 Travel Recap here. I am looking forward to our upcoming adventures in 2019 as well.
Relax
A continued goal from 2017 & 2018: I am still not good at relaxing, but scheduling my hair appointments with Katy and my manicures and pedicures with Kham at Paintbase has been a consistent way for me to take time for myself. I also generally practice Self Care Sunday and squeeze in time for meditation and stretching. Another thing I learned about relaxing for me is to start my morning going through my to-do list for the day, listening to The Daily podcast, and drinking my coffee. I don’t start my day as frantic, which helps me be more productive. My quest for learning how to relax will definitely continue in 2019.
Grow
A continued goal from 2017 & 2018: I definitely experienced more personal growth than I thought possible in 2018. I had personal and professional situations that arose in 2018 that were completely out of my control. I learned a lot about patience, letting go, and being present despite feeling lost, alone, and suffering losses. It was a dramatic growing experience, and to be honest, I am ending this year feeling like I don’t even know the person I was a year ago because so much changed. I am grateful for this learning experience and for the opportunity to grow, but I am not sad to see 2018 go as a result. However, I am looking forward to applying the learning to the new year as well and hope to continue to grow.
Eliminate
A continued goal from 2018: I am on a quest to eliminate and stop bringing so much clutter in to my space. It all started with our move and my 40 bags in 40 days challenge. I did a pretty big purge of our closets and pantries, but am still finding myself purging items every quarter. If I am going to say quality over quantity, then that means I’ll be eliminating some of the spending that I’ve done in the past in 2019.
Experience
A continued goal from 2018: When I made the decision to be more present on trips, it made my experience so much richer. When David and I went to NYC this fall, I made a decision not to take my camera and I wasn’t entirely sure I would write a blog post about our trip. However, I did a recap according to the photos I took with my iPhone, and it was amazing to me that was one of my most popular pins from 2018. I vow to continue bringing authentic experiences to you in this space in 2019.
New 2019 Goal: Limit
For my new goal this year, I decided on limit as a reminder to limit commitments, exposure to negativity, time on social media, or anything that takes away from my ultimate goals. I even established a flow chart (seriously) in my planner to remind me in May/June about the limits and boundaries I’ve put in place. In my self-reflection, I realize in the spring and early summer, I loosen up on those.
For starters, my word of the year is dissent. Dissent is the expression or holding of opinions at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially held. Considering personal and professional obligations and aspirations, dissent spoke to me more than any word.
How did you do on your goals in 2018? What goals did you set for 2019? What word did you pick for 2019?
Don’t forget to enter My Favorite Things of 2018 Giveaway here.
I love both of those! I think Dissent is an amazing word for 2019!