Goals work for me. I know that making a New Year’s Resolution isn’t meant for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine (we all are motivated in different ways). But for the 3rd year in a row now, I’m making some goals for myself to accomplish within the upcoming year.
Each of the goals I chose for 2013 intimidate me. I doubted making and highly considered erasing and forgetting about at each one of them at one point. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned about setting goals, it’s that they’re supposed to scare me, if even just a little bit. If my goal intimidates me, then by reaching for and accomplishing that goal I know I’m going to learn and grow from it.
I’ve also made a point of creating specific goals–ones that can be easily accountable for and I can track them throughout the year. If I avoid setting a vague goal (which I struggled with a little last year), I make my goal more attainable and easier to track throughout the next year.
So here goes….
My Goals for 2013:
- Read the entire Bible. I don’t know exactly why, but this goal really intimidates me. My Grandma (upon my request/wish list) gave me a Chronological Bible for Christmas, and I’m using that as my guide. I’m really looking forward to having read and reflected (at least a little bit) on all of God’s Word!
- Run at least 5 races, 2 of them being half marathons. So far I’ve registered for 1 half marathon in May, and I’m already excited to be on an official training plan again. I do so much better with a plan…I’d love to set a new PR for a 5k as well.
- Go Vegetarian. Okay family (2 sides of farmers) and paleo friends, please don’t freak out or judge me on this (but go ahead if you want to). I’m going to try it for a year and see what I think/how I feel. There are many reasons for me doing this, and maybe I’ll share those reasons in a post sometime, but it’s something I’ve been considering and researching for a long time now (nearly a year), and I’m using the new year as a time to commit to it. And just to clarify, I’ll still be eating seafood and the little dairy that I eat now (primarily organic cheese), just not meat. We’ll see how it goes!
- Try 5 new-to-me fruits or vegetables. Obviously I’m excited for this one.
- Go on one date night every month. Jesse and I both know how important it is to specifically take time to focus on each other, just talk without the distraction of our phones, cleaning, computers, work, etc., and date nights are just fun! Every one doesn’t need to be something fancy, by any means, but we agree that these nights are important for our marriage.
It’s going to be a great year!
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What goal have you set for 2013?
If you’re not a “goal-setter,” what works well to motivate you?
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I love all your goals, Danica! I’m so glad that you acknowledge that goals are supposed to be hard and sometimes scary. I know my resolutions are! I think reading the Bible in a year is such an awesome idea and something I definitely want to do someday.
I was vegetarian for about 5 years when I was younger. I definitely didn’t eat as healthy as I should have, but I still have some vegetarian roots in me. Sometimes I just don’t care for meat or am grossed out by it. Good luck giving it a try. I hope you like it and find it works for you. Best of luck with all your goals!
I get really grossed out by meat now too. I don’t mind that other people eat it (not at all) but I realize that just because others eat it doesn’t mean I should too :) I hope it works out too! I think it’ll really help me eat more fruits and veggies.
yay!!! good luck girl!!!
Thanks :) Your blog will be my major go-to for vegetarian recipes!
My main goals right now are to continue to run a race every month (did this in 2012), and complete in a 28 mile superhike in September. I also want to read at least one book every month. Good luck with your goals!!
That’s awesome! Good luck to you too, Vicki!
I love your goals! A chronological Bible is a great way to get through it. And good for you for going vegetarian! I’ve been vegetarian off and on for ten years. I really feel good on it, though I crave meat occasionally and give in. It’s all about balance. And despite how different paleo and vegetarian eaters are, they both emphasize fresh, whole foods which is really the key to good health (imho). Wishing you the best in 2013!
Yes exactly! I’ve done a lot of research on a lot of different eating “styles” but ultimately I know it’s just important to eat whole foods. I think vegetarian gets a bad rep sometimes because some people just eat processed junk because it’s meat-free. I’ll make sure not to do that of course, and I really think it’ll encourage me to eat more fruits and veggies :)
My mom comes from a farming family and my dad is OBSESSED with steak and grilling anything and everything…. when I went vegetarian I got a few side-looks, but now everyone has embraced it. My mom makes a lot more vegetarian dishes now and my dad has swapped some portobello mushrooms for me when grilling. They will be fine with it in time :) I also initially went pescatarian for about a year before going full veg. You’ll see that it will make you feel amazing, just make sure you still eat lots of protein otherwise you will be snacky every two hours (that’s my problem lately).
I’m copying your goal of trying 5 new fruits/vegetables – that’s such a good one!
Happy New Year!
Thanks for sharing all of that, Nicole :) I’m definitely excited to see how eating this way makes me feel, plus it’s much more encouraging now to fill my plate with veggies and fruit!
Those are great goals! I also want to read the whole Bible…but it is really intimidating! It’s a big commitment, but I’m excited to try it out. :)
It is a big commitment! And to be just completely blunt, the first few days are not too exciting–it’s primarily Genesis and the stories about Isaac’s family–it makes it much more challenging to find the “take-aways.” I’m looking forward to getting further into it :)
Great goals, Danica!! Yay for more date nights with Jesse <3 <3
I agree! :)
Sounds like some great goals. Especially the date night one, it’s so easy to lose that time when life is zooming along.
exactly :) We were both glad to be held accountable for date nights–they’re always fun so making a point of having them is definitely a good thing!
I think you picked great goals for 2013! I’m on board with the bible in a year plan…feel free to keep me accountable. I’m glad you are still eating seafood with the vegetarian goal because I believe there is valuable nutrients in animal proteins. You should try turnips, eggplant and tomatillos for a few new veggies! I made an awesome turnip, kale and broccoli soup that I’m sure you would love. My one goal for 2013 is a sub 2 hour half marathon and my theme for the year is prayer – because with prayer everything is possible.
I definitely want to experiment with eggplant, but I just had to look up what tomatillos are haha They look interesting! I’ll have to keep my eye open for them at the grocery store…Would you send me the recipe or the link to that soup please?
Love your theme for the year…how is Bible reading going so far? Not going to lie, Genesis has a lot of weird, sometimes less than exciting stories.
These are some great goals! I am always so scared to set them because I know that if I don’t meet them I always feel guilty. But this year I came up with some things that I wouldn’t even call goals….just a way of living!
Good for you! And yes, I know what you mean about that feeling of not meeting a goal…as long as you work your hardest towards it that’s good though, it’s about the progress right?! :)
I love all your goals…every single one! I’m just getting back into running, so I look forward to running some races again. I’m also impressed you want to read the whole bible. That is intimidating! Good luck! ;-)
Thanks, Melanie! So far so good :)
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