It is New Year’s Eve. I am sitting at home, alone, while my family is out at the movies. Recently I had the flu–or as I like to call it, the “REAL flu”–and am trying to recover my strength before school starts in two days.
All of this time to rest and recover has been as helpful for my mind as for my body. It has given me time to reflect on 2018: the good, the bad, the unexpected. Be looking for more thoughts soon!
Today, though, I am thinking about my goals. How did I do on my 2018 goals? Honestly, not that great. In fact, I am rethinking the entire way that I will set goals for 2019. (More on that in a few days!)
Why I Didn’t Accomplish Some Goals
I think there are a few reasons I didn’t accomplish some of the goals:
1. I Didn’t Care Enough
Some of the goals that I set just didn’t seem as important as I progressed throughout the year. For example, I wanted to learn the Lord’s Prayer in Greek. This is pretty simple stuff. If I had truly wanted to do it, I could have knocked this goal out in a day or two. But I didn’t. When it came down to it, the goal just wasn’t that important to me.
2. It Wasn’t the Right Season
Some goals are good, but they aren’t good NOW. It is just not the season for them. I wanted to develop a weight lifting routine, and I am truly interested in that goal. But, 2018 wasn’t the year for it. Between stress at work, being gone all summer, and having a husband who was finishing his dissertation, the timing wasn’t right.
3. The Goal Depended on Other People
Finally, some goals involve others, which instantly puts many sets of variables into motion. More schedules, more desires, more conflicts. For example, I wanted to read all of the Children’s Bible out loud to my kiddos this year. We read quite a bit of it, but between vacations, sicknesses, schedules, etc. we weren’t able to finish.
So, sometimes we don’t reach our goals. But, sometimes we do. By setting these goals at the beginning of 2018, I did ensure that I made progress in certain areas of my life. And, for that, I am grateful.
Here is:
How I Did on My Goals for 2018
In 2018 I have decided to focus on health. Health was supposed to be my overarching theme of the year–spiritual health, emotional health, mental health, health in my family, and health in my vocation.
My Goals for 2018
Spiritual Health
1. Attend a Women’s Bible Study or Prayer Group at least twice a month.
Nope. I went to several of the group meetings but not twice a month. I also came to realize that getting out of the house more than one evening a week is tiring to me as an introvert. So, on weeks where I already had staff meetings, children’s activities, or church work, I didn’t have the emotional energy to add another evening event.
2. Learn the Lord’s Prayer in Greek
Nope. See above.
3. Read One Spiritual Book Each Month.
I didn’t read one per month; however, I did read several Orthodox books this year. I will count that as a win! Here is a list of the books that I read:
–Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus
–Everyday Saints and Other Stories
–Creation and the Patriarchal Histories
Family Health
4. Read Aloud or Listen to 12 Books with my children.
We didn’t read 12, but we listened to several this year–especially on our road trip to Texas and Oklahoma this summer. Here are the audiobooks that we read: Ramona the Pest, Ramona and Beezus, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, The Horse and His Boy, and The Magician’s Nephew.
5. Take an Overnight Trip with My Husband (without kids!).
Yes! I actually did this one. 🙂 We took advantage of having grandparents to watch our children while we were on vacation. We left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa and took off for three days. We stayed at my sister-in-law’s apartment while she was away on a mission trip, so our lodging was free. We spent time together working side-by-side in coffee shops, going out to eat, and watching movies. It was so relaxing and a fun way to celebrate our tenth anniversary!
6. Read through our entire Children’s Bible together.
Nope. See above.
Physical and Emotional Health
7. Research and implement a weight lifting routine for one month.
No, though I did just read a book on weight lifting for women. This goal will roll over to 2019.
8. Complete a Whole 30.
I did it! I did my second Whole 30 in May. I lost 10 pounds and felt great!
9. Run a 5K.
I ran more this year, especially over the summer. However, I didn’t run a 5K.
10. Read from my “Classics Books” Challenge.
The goal was to read 2 classics each month–focusing on a different genre every month. While I didn’t read 24 classics this year, I did read 13. That’s pretty good, right?
Vocational Health
11. Post on Orthodox Motherhood at least Once a Week.
I did pretty well on this until the end of the year.
12. Learn How to Do and Use Facebook Live Effectively.
Nope. This has been an unaccomplished goal for a couple of years now. Either I just don’t want to do it that badly, or my fear of live-video is getting the best of me.
13. Create a Product that Will Serve My Readers.
Nope. I have shifted the focus of this website from the goals the blogging “experts” have promoted (i.e. making a lot of money, building a brand) to being content to serve as a small voice in the larger community of Orthodox women.
14. Submit a Book Proposal.
Yes, and yes! My friend Alexandra and I submitted a book proposal. I’ll keep you updated as I know more.
15. Redesign the Website.
Yes. I am so excited about the new site redesign! I think that it looks much cleaner, professional, and easy to read!
So, the final score is: Completed Goals–4 Partially Completed Goals–5 Nowhere near Completed Goals–6.
Check back in later this week to see how I will be changing up my goal-setting routine for 2019!
Did you set goals for 2018? How did you do?
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Hello Sarah. Happy New Year from Cyprus! I am really amazed at what you have achieved in 2018. Don’t forget that as a working mom having dinner on the table every night as well as clean clothes for the kids in the morning are two everyday goals that you also achieved. What about getting the kids out of the house on time every morning and getting yourself to work on time? Multiply all the above by 365? 😉 I see many more completed goals achieved in 2018 than the 4 you have listed!
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Maria! You just made my day! Just tonight I was reading a book by Dr. Al Rossi (professor at St. Vladimir’s Seminary), and the phrase “Be gentle with yourself” stood out. I am often much more gentle and understanding of other people than I am of myself. Good reminder!