Goals.

2013 is officially behind me, it was a year full of lots of blessings and as well as some hard lessons. When looking back at the goals I set for myself this year, the majority of them were accomplished. I PR’ed in all my races, became more comfortable with lifting heavier weight, spent more time praying, writing, reading, figured out some tools to keep my clean eating on track, created a Spartan Ambassador program and have almost completed my Masters. But the BIG goal I set out to do this year did not happen. I did not qualify for Boston, even after two attempts. I would be lying if I told you I have not replayed those races over and over in my head a million times. I am still angry with myself. But I also know better. In many different ways, the experience of falling short humbled me and taught me a lot. I know I will get that qualifying time, there is a reason it wasn’t in the cards this year. I will be going for it again in 2014.

As I have mentioned before, I break my goals down into categories and I have a strategy for how I go about making them. For my detailed list of resolutions and those strategies I use, feel free to click on “2014 goals” tab on the top of my site. But for this post I will spare you and just give some highlights 🙂 In addition to going after Boston again, below are the other things I am going after.

Nothing New: In 2012 I made the goal/resolution to not buy a single item of clothing for an entire year. It was one of the best things I ever did. I became more aware of my spending and I learned to want less. Even though I had “free reign” to shop this year, I still carried those lessons with me and bought clothes on rare occasions. THIS year, I am allowed to buy clothes but NOTHING new. Meaning, I am only to buy clothes second hand from places like goodwill, salvation army etc. This will not only save me money, but keep me out of the stores that suck you in. I will be sure to share my finds with you 🙂

Nothing negative: Among stressful situations it can be easy to get caught up into other peoples’ gossip or venting sessions. I find myself in these situations very often at work, and it is unacceptable. I feel terrible about it every time it happens. I am making a pact to myself this year to say NOTHING NEGATIVE about anybody while at work. If I need to get home and vent to Shain, that is fine. But it is not allowed to anybody else. I will raise those around me up because that is what they deserve. Nothing good ever came out of negative banter.

Wedding under $10,000: This has been and will be a very difficult challenge. I have shed so many tears over people I love dearly but cannot invite due to space and cost, but it is one of many factors in having an affordable wedding. We will fight to keep things simple and keep everything in perspective.

More FUN: I have a goal to be better balanced this year. To still work hard but also remember to let loose. This has always been a little hard for me, both Shain and I are homebodies by nature, but even he knows how to let loose with his friends once in a while. I need to learn from him and have more fun.

I would love to hear what your goals are for the year. You don’t have to know them right now, take your time. Be intentional. Most importantly, set yourself up for success. Don’t just say you will do something, plan for it, write it down, tell everybody you know. Make 2014 your best year yet!