SixEight Life

At years end.

Photo Credit: ky_olson (Creative Commons)

Happy 2014 everyone! 2013 was an incredible year for me and my little family. We had our share of ups and downs, but truly felt blessed throughout the journey. We started the year serving at the Passion conference and ended the year at Disney World. We experienced a tough summer with some health issues and tight finances, but had an incredible fall and winter filled with near constant reminders of God’s faithfulness.

This was my second year blogging, and my first year where I set concrete tangible goals. Thanks for following along on my sometimes repetitive blog posts with my goal progress. This blog truly kept me focused on the goals I set and it was encouraging to get positive feedback from friends. And finally, I present to you the final result of each of my thirteen goals:

1. Run a Half Marathon – The year started strong, then I slacked off, then I started strong again, but ultimately a slight injury to my left foot kept me from that half marathon. But I’ve got one in my sights for February, so this goal will be extended a bit.

2. Innovation as a professional every month – I believe with one or two exceptions this goal was accomplished every month. Even when I wasn’t being innovative at my paid job, I still found ways to grow myself as a professional.

3. Read 24 books: It was about 11:30pm on December 31st when I finished the last page of book number 24, but I did it! 24 books read this year.

4. Get Biscuit certified as a therapy dog Check! Accomplished this goal, with the help of Biscuit of course! He’s starting 2014 as a therapy dog!

5. Encourage two people a month with a handwritten note I did not accomplish this goal this year. I think I would have done better if I gave myself a yearly total and not a monthly, because it was discouraging to get behind.

6. Write 60 blog posts I exceeded this goal: 65 posts total for the year! I’ve really seen my writing strengthen as well, it’s been a good year for this goal.

7. Get to know people who different from me I feel like this goal was accomplished as I saw community grow throughout the year in many ways.

8. Enter into a mentoring relationship I feel like this goal has been accomplished. Most importantly, this year I’ve learned the value of relationships with older women. It’s been a great year for this and I hope I continue this habit.

9. Pay the car off – Well, we ended the year with less debt than we started, but paying the car off did not happen. So partially accomplished, but not in the way I thought. Shooting to get this done next year.

10. Increase my political activity- first name basis with elected officials – This goal has been accomplished, but I’ll pick back up in January to keep these relationships going.

11. Publish a professional article (or at least write one)– This goal didn’t happen either, I just simply ran out of time and the circumstances weren’t ideal to get this done.

12. Memorize the book of Philippians – This goal also didn’t happen simply due to busyness and a lack of discipline if I’m to be completely honest.

13. Love my husband in a new way every month – There were a couple months where I was stretching it, but I feel like I was able to find new ways to love my husband each month. It was a good year for our relationship, even with our ups and downs.

So there you have it. The final tally of all 13 goals: 8 accomplished, 2 postponed due to circumstances beyond my control, and 3 not accomplished due to busyness and/or lack of discipline. I’m ending the year feeling pretty content though, for a first year of tracking goal progress I’m proud of what has happened.

I have a new set of tasks for 2014: a “30 by 30” list. I don’t think I’ll update my progress monthly on this blog but I’ll do updates in some form. I love setting goals and I’m so glad I was able to work towards these accomplishments this year. Thanks for following along!

What are your 2014 goals? Any plans for this new year?