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Thursday, January 4, 2018

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. 


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



13 comments:

  1. You've gotten so many done! More than me for sure and I started my 101 in 1001 in 2016 haha. You're inspiring me to do better!

    Tori
    www.mooretori.com

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  2. I really want to do my own 101 in 1001 list once my life feels a little more "settled" career-wise. I love reading other bloggers'! You have such great list items!! :) Loved the look back at 2017.

    xoxo A
    www.southernbelleintraining.com

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  3. Wow you've gotten a lot accomplished! I kind of want to do a 101 in 1001 too!

    xo Deborah
    Coffee, Prose, and Pretty Clothes

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  4. I'm dying to visit Charleston!! You've gotten so much of your list accomplished! I want to start one of these too now haha!

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  5. I love reading 101 in 1001 posts! Mine has about 6 months left, and I'm excited because I still have so much to cross off. When I make a new 101 in 1001, I think I'm going to organize it into categories like you did so that it's easier to manage and see where most of my goals are!

    Hannah | the swirl

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  6. Congrats on getting a new car! Subarus are great vehicles. I feel like buying a car is the ultimate sign you're an adult haha!

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  7. Seems like it was a great year!! Best of luck with your goals in 2018!

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  8. So many great goals! I hope you make progress this year!

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  9. What a fun list! 2017 looks like it was an amazing year for you, wishing you all the best in 2018!

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  10. I love this post idea! It sounds like you had an amazing year in 2017 and I can't wait to see what you accomplish in 2018 :)

    Kristen | www.sophisticatedgal.com

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  11. I've always loved these lists and have wanted to complete a 101 in 1001 myself. I just haven't had time to make the list. I love this update. You've already gotten so much accomplished, and there are some even greater things to cross off. Good luck!

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  12. WOW this is so so great! Good luck to acheiving much more!

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  13. Girl you totally got this! I've never participated in a challenge like this but I absolutely want to, it's such a great way to work on long term goals and keep track of what you've accomplished!

    Logan | signedlogan.com

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