Goal Setting Update

If you've been reading my blog for some time now, then you have come to learn how much I love goal setting.  I am not one to set resolutions because they are too vague, which means I never stick to them.  I like setting goals because they are clear and concise. It's easy to tell whether or not you have achieved them or if you fell short. Quality goals are measurable, which makes them easier to check off as accomplished tasks. Last January I created my new year goals a little differently. I created my second 101 things to accomplish in 1,001 days list.  Well, it's been just over a year, so I thought it was time for an update on what I've accomplished thus far. 

The original post that debuted this list

My first 101 in 1,001 list

Starts: January 2, 2017

Ends: September 30, 2019 

(22 complete, 79 to go!) 

Blogging 

1. Collaborate with a brand I enjoy (2017)

2. Host a blogging series

3. Host a giveaway 

4. Make blogging business cards

5. Publish a collaboration post (February 2017)

6. Monetize the blog

7. Publish three “how to” posts

8. Update my “About me” page

Personal

9. Become an involved alumnae of my sorority (Alpha Delta Pi) 

10. Buy a car (April 2017)

11. Complete 52 week saving challenge

12. Go a month without ordering takeout

13. Go a month without shopping (February 2017)

14. Inspire others to create their own goal list

15. Knit for charity

16. Learn calligraphy 

17. Learn how to give myself a blowout

18. Move into my first grown up apartment/home

19. Obtain a passport 

20. Participate in 100 happy days 

21. Put $10 into my savings account for every goal accomplished

22. Read 5 books from the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge

23. Read a book a month

24. Take a class to learn how to use my DSLR camera

25. Take part in More Love Lettering

26. Unplug for 24 hours

27. Volunteer somewhere regularly

28. Write 10 Operation Beautiful notes

Career

29. Have my own classroom (Fall 2017)

30. Obtain a coaching certification

31. Obtain my masters degree

32. Pass the PA Middle Grades Science PRAXIS

33. Pass the Reading Specialist PRAXIS

34. Travel with one of the teams I coach

Just For Fun

35. Attend a concert (August 2017)

36. Complete an adult coloring book

37. Complete one knitting project (April 2017)

38. Do a wine tasting (April 2017)

39. Go for a hike somewhere new

40. Go snorkeling 

41. Go to a beer garden 

42. Go to a concert (August 2017)

43. Go to a MLB game

44. Go to a NFL game (October 2017)

45. Go to a NHL game (December 2017)

46. Go to a NBA game (January 2017)

47. Go white water rafting

48. Have a picnic

49. Learn how to golf

50. Learn how to make a martini

51. Leave a 100% tip for good service

52. Participate in an escape room

53. Pick a pumpkin from a pumpkin patch and carve it

54. Pick berries

55. Play mini golf (August 2017)

56. See a movie in the park

57. Spend a day at the aquarium 

58. Spend a day at the zoo

59. Take dance lessons 

60. Try a new brewery (July 2017- Dewey Brewing Company) 

61. Visit a museum(February 2017)

62. Watch a movie at a movie tavern 

63. Watch a movie outdoors

Friends & Family

64. Eat at Talula’s Table 

65. Give five “just because” gifts(3 down)

66. Treat someone to brunch  (January 2017)

67. Host a brunch

68. Host a cookie/beer exchange

69. Host a dinner party

70. Mail a care package (February 2017)

71. Make a list of birthdays and addresses

72. Plan a ladies’ weekend

73. Send birthday cards

Health & Fitness

74. Complete a fitness challenge

75. Complete A Year of Mindfully Living

76. Don’t let more than two days in a row pass without working out for a year

77. Make a routine of doing yoga/Pilates

78. Make homemade hummus (Summer 2017)

79. Participate in “Meatless Mondays” for one month 

80. Participate in a color run

81. Plant a vegetable garden 

82. Run a 15 K

83. Run a 5k (November 2017)

84. Run a half marathon

85. Try a barre class (July 2017)

Travel

86. Go camping 

87. Go on a road trip

88. Go somewhere with fairly clear ocean water

89. Go to DC at Christmas time

90. Ride a train somewhere

91. Spend a day in Baltimore

92. Spend time in the Florida Keys 

93. Take a trip with my mom

94. Travel outside the United States

95. Vacation on the coast of New England

96. Visit a three new states

97. Visit Boston, Massachusetts 

98. Visit Charleston, South Carolina (August 2017)

99. Visit Chicago

100. Visit NYC

101. Visit Reading Terminal Market

In the past year I have been able to check 22 items off the list. Not quite as many as I had hoped, but it's certainly a start. Take a look at some of the tasks I've completed below. 

Collaborate with a Brand

Check out my post on how to conquer and early morning gym session here

Go a month without shopping

Intentionally, I chose the shortest month of the year to complete this task.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  I think it helps that my birthday is this month, so anything I wanted I just asked for on my birthday wish list.  I think I'm going to be forced to complete this challenge again, at some point, this year because we are saving to pay for our wedding and a future house. 

Buy a Car

In April, I got my first teaching position as a Long Term Substitute. The money I made along with what I had saved allowed me to purchase my own car.  It was a little out of my budget, but since I spend so much time commuting to work I definitely don't mind the pricey car payment.  If you're looking for a new car, then I highly recommend checking out Subaru. 

Have My Own Classroom

This summer was spend job hunting.  The first week in August I was on vacation with my family when I received the long awaited "you got the job" phone call.  I spent a few days in August setting up the classroom that I have been teaching in for the past five months.  It's crazy to believe that I'm coming up on the half way mark of my first full year teaching! Here's a sneak peak of my room. I'm planning to give you a more detailed tour in the upcoming month!

Attend a Concert

To conclude the summer, my family went to see Zac Brown Band.  It was such a fun concert. If you haven't seen him, then definitely add him to your list of bands to see.  I would recommend seeing him at a smaller venue if possible. My dad, who doesn't love country music, even thought the show was awesome. 

Complete a Knitting Project

I forgot to take a picture of the final project, but last year I spent several months creating the softest baby blanket for one of my closest friends.  I gave her the gift just before her baby was born, and it turns out to be one of his favorite blankets now! 

Attend a Wine Tasting

Mid May we travelled to Virginia with Todd's family.  We took advantage of being in wine country and toured several different wineries. Our favorite was a small family run vineyard.  They served the tastiest homemade snacks to pair with each wine.  

Visit a Beer Garden

One of our favorite local watering holes during the summer is a pop up beer garden.  They have yard games, live music, food trucks,  a different brand of beer on tap each weekend, kids activities, and are dog friendly.  We're hoping that our pup will be calm enough to tag along with us this upcoming summer. 

NHL Game, NBA Game, and MBA game

So close to making it to all four major sports in one year!  We went to a Philadelphia Flyers game, Philadelphia Eagles game, and a Philadelphia 76ers game this past year.  I'm hoping to make it to a Phillies game sometime this spring or summer. 

Visit Charleston, SC & Play Mini Golf & Try a New Brewery

This summer my family packed up the car and headed down south for a week of relaxation.  Charleston was absolutely amazing.  I loved the balance of history, beach time, and fabulous food/beverages. My family has developed a tradition of playing mini golf on vacation. Of course we searched for a place to keep the tradition going in South Carolina.  You don't know what competitive is until you've played a round of mini golf with us. 

I have 633 days left to complete 79 tasks. I think it is definitely doable as long as I stay focused. As I rang in the new year, I thought about how I can be more diligent with completing my list.  I decided to break the tasks down by month.  I decided that on average I need to complete about 4-5 tasks per month.  

This month I am working to begin crossing off some longer term goals: starting grad school, reading at least a book per month, not letting more than two days pass without some type of exercising, and by publishing a "how to" post.

The short goals I plan to cross off my list this month include visiting NYC, watching a movie at a movie tavern, inspiring at least one other person to create their own goal list, and leave a 100% tip somewhere even if it's just at the local coffee shop. 

If you're interested in making your own list, then I have a few tips for you.  First, take a look at several different people's list to gain inspiration. Second, break your list down into topics. This will make it easier to come up with 101 items.  Third, once you've made your list break it down into small monthly tasks.  Fourth, have fun! 

If you're interested in making a list, let me know so I can cross off that I've inspired someone! 

Stay current with my list throughout the year by checking here frequently. 

XOXO