I love a new year. Now, I’m not crazy about how quickly each year seems to approach, but I love the idea of a fresh start. I see each New Year as a do-over. You know, those things you got to do back when you were a kid and you messed up. Like when you missed the kick ball, or when you reset the Atari when you messed up on your first life on Pacman. A do-over.
For me, 2015 was a tough year. Sure, it had some bright spots. Parts of it just really sucked though. Sucked big ole rotten eggs!
I guess that’s why I am excited about 2016. Like a lot of Americans, I start off the year with a list of things I want to accomplish. I don’t like to call them resolutions. I think that word has too many negative connotations associated with it. I like goals. I set goals for each year. Sometimes I am successful (like my goal to give up Diet Sun-drops three years ago) and sometimes I am not so successful (like that weight loss one I set each year). However, I set them each year.
Now, I am of the opinion that goals not written down are just dreams. If you really plan to accomplish your goals, you must write them down. So here is my list of goals for 2016.
1. Finish the last three classes for my teaching certification (yes, it’s a long story. Even though I have my MBE, I am being required to take three more classes).
2. Read 24 books. This is less than last year’s goal. I was on schedule, but the volume of text I was required to read for my MBE really turned me against reading for a while. This was sad for me. but I have rekindled my love of reading in recent weeks. I am playing around with this reading challenge. I don’t’ have the goal of reading 50 books this year, but it gives me some fun options for choices. It’s kind of like a book scavenger hunt.
3. Home improvements. Chris and I are both on board for this one. We have written a two-page list of home improvement projects. Some are small and some are not-so-small. I’m going to keep the list and mark off each one we accomplish. We will see how many we get done by the end of the year!
4. Get fit. Yes, this one again. I actually started working out more before the holidays. I have found myself working out at least four days each week. I have got to lose some weight. I’m trying to be realistic yet consistent. I have an accountability partner, so that is a positive step!
5. Scrapbook more. I had gotten more on track, but after my mother-in-law passed away, I really didn’t have a lot of desire to be creative. I’m ready to rekindle that passion, too. I’m downloading some scrapbook kits as I type this.
6. Blog more. I think I have said this the past two years.Once I and the rest of the world joined Facebook, I pretty much stopped blogging. Blogging used to be part of my daily life. I would blog and visit my favorite blogs each morning. Then Facebook took over. Honestly, I have grown tired of facebook, and I am seldom on there. I’m more drawn to Twitter and Instagram. In 2016 I hope to FB less and blog more.
7. Bible journaling. I discovered Bible journaling on Pinterest. I’m not an artist, but I was immediately drawn to it. For Christmas, Chris gave me a journaling Bible. I haven’t garnered the courage to do my first entry yet. My hope is that journaling in my bible will enhance my Bible study. I need to just dive in and do it! I will share here when I do.
8. Financial Goals. Chris and I are going to work on our financial plan for 2016 together. We need to get back to budgeting like we used to do. This is personal in nature, but I at least wanted to share here that it is on my list.
9. Couponing. Life got busy last year. Really, I think it was last summer when I was taking four classes to finish up my MBE. Couponing went out the window. I’ve gotten a little bit back in the swing, but for 2016 I plan to get back on schedule. I save so much money for our family doing it that I have got to get back to it.
Now, it seems that I should have just one more to make the list complete. You know, a nice even 10. Well, those are my top ones, and I see no reason just to add another to have a Top Ten Goals of 2016. Do you? Yes, if I accomplish these, I will feel accomplished!
So what are your goals for 2016? I’d love to hear them. Just remember to right them down! They are just dreams until you do!
I use the word "goals" too. I seem to be more motivated to reach goals than follow through with resolutions. 2015 was the hardest year of my life. I am excited about a new year and hopefully a much better one to boot! I am hoping to blog more this year too. Facebook is just so blah to me these days. And I miss the daily blogging for me personally to look back on. I am excited to see your scrapbook layouts this year! I need to finish up my 2014 Project Life book. I am so far behind!
Posted by: Shari Barnes | January 14, 2016 at 06:19 PM