Right here it is–a recent new yr! As an inventory maker (I’ve notebooks full of lists–I similar to to write down issues out in record kind, I suppose), I like this time of yr. I write lists of issues from the earlier yr in addition to lists for the upcoming year–everything from targets to books I need to learn to tasks I need to make.
My favourite record, although, is at all times an inventory of targets. To name them New 12 months’s Resolutions is cliché, and I suppose they’re; however I by no means really feel as enthusiastic about engaged on targets as I do on the morning of January 1st. I attempt to hold them from being the standard “drop some pounds” and “eat more healthy” resolutions. I wish to be particular.
Do I at all times attain my targets? Ha! I’d say that out of all of my New 12 months’s targets, I in all probability solely accomplish one or two. Nonetheless, that’s one or two issues that I would not have achieved in any other case, so I name it a win. I will write about how I did with final yr’s targets on one other submit.
For now, I will write out an inventory of my targets for 2023. I’ve solely chosen 4 targets and this yr, I’m going to make use of the SMART technique for (hopefully) reaching them! The SMART technique is one thing I discovered waaaay again in elementary college. Objectives ought to be:
So, listed here are my targets and the way they match into the SMART technique…
1. Get my weight again into the aim vary of 125-135 and work on upkeep habits.
I labored very onerous to take off the load I misplaced between Could 2021 and September 2021, and I will be damned if I achieve all of it again. I am nonetheless making an attempt to get it to choose a quantity (or vary) however that’s tremendous troublesome for me. I acquired all the way down to the mid 120s, after which gained again 15 kilos shortly afterward.
Now I am over my aim vary, but it surely makes me surprise if I ought to change my vary. I do not know! I’ll attempt to get my weight all the way down to round 130, give or take a number of kilos, over the following two months. After which I will see what I can do to take care of it. (Sure, I’ve accomplished this a number of instances earlier than, however I’ll should check out completely different upkeep habits till I discover one thing that sticks.) In an ideal world, I would be capable to preserve my weight with out counting energy or following some form of plan. I used to be in a position to do that for some time in 2022, however then I simply acquired carried away with snacking.
For January, I’ve determined to log my meals and depend energy. The primary purpose for that is to see the place most of my energy are going and if I am getting all the vitamins I want on a vegan eating regimen. As soon as I can analyze that and spot any downside areas, I could cease calorie counting and work on the habits I want to deal with (ahem, snacking).
SMART:
Particular (Get my weight all the way down to my aim vary of 130-135)
Measurable (Weigh-ins and meals logs)
Achievable (I’ve accomplished it earlier than)
Related (I need to be wholesome and really feel comfy in my very own physique)
Time Sure (Two months, however since I can not management the speed of weight reduction, this is not set in stone)
2. Run 500 miles.
Unfold out over the yr, after all 😉 I do not normally do yearly mileage targets, so I assumed this is perhaps enjoyable. I can unfold them out nonetheless I would like–500 miles would equal about 42 miles per thirty days, 9.62 miles per week, or 1.37 miles per day. I will purpose for 2 3-mile runs and one 4-mile run every week, however regulate as wanted. I believe it is going to be enjoyable to fill in a chart and have a pleasant visible for the yr!
SMART:
Particular (Run 500 miles)
Measurable (Monitoring distance with my Garmin and a chart)
Achievable (It is inside my potential; I simply want the self-discipline to do it)
Related (I need to get and keep in form for my well being)
Time Sure (One yr)
I printed out this cute tracker to log my miles–you coloration in a single little spot for every mile, and it is going to be totally crammed in after 500 miles. Sure, I like monitoring the quaint means! (Yow will discover it right here)
3. Full one crafting mission per thirty days.
A “mission” is mainly one thing that I do by hand–knitting, woodworking, stitching, restoring furnishings, and so on. That is extra for my psychological well being than something. I actually take pleasure in doing crafts and if I purpose to work on finishing one merchandise every month, it will give me one thing to work on a bit of at a time.
And since I am making an attempt to be particular in my targets for this yr, I got here up with an inventory of varieties of crafts to decide on from–there are 12 right here, so I will select one every month to work on. I like the thought of a special crafting method every month!
Knit
Crochet
Sew
Cross Sew
Woodwork
Furnishings Restore
Clothes Alteration
Latch Hook
Weave
Papier Mâche
Origami
Weaving
The one issues that I am fairly unfamiliar with are weaving, and papier mâche. The one origami I’ve accomplished has been with greenback payments that I took to Punta Cana for tipping the staff–they liked the folded payments!–so I haven’t got a lot expertise with that. I have already got the stuff to do most of this stuff, so total, it is going to be fairly cheap.
For January, I am going to decide on cross sew. I already began it final month, however I am solely about midway accomplished. I underestimated simply how a lot time it could take to complete–I work on it a bit of every night earlier than mattress, and I assumed I’d have completed it a very long time in the past.
SMART:
Particular (Full one craft every month)
Measurable (A completed mission)
Achievable (Undoubtedly inside my limits, assuming I select one thing comparatively small)
Related (Good for my psychological well being)
Time Sure (One merchandise per thirty days)
4. Increase my vocabulary.
Till I began studying from a Kindle Paperwhite, I by no means bothered to search for phrases that have been unfamiliar to me as a result of it was inconvenient. Whereas studying on the Kindle, once I come throughout a phrase that I’ve by no means seen earlier than, I simply faucet it and skim the definition. I’ve discovered loads of new phrases this manner! It even helped me get a number of of the Wordle puzzles.
To work on this aim, I printed out flashcards (there are MANY greater than 52, however I did not need to type via them). I lower and folded them, put them in a mason jar, and now I will randomly draw a paper every week, learn the definition, and attempt to use the phrase wherever I can. I will tape the cardboard to the fridge in order that I can see it often. So, you might even see some phrases that stand out or look misplaced on my weblog posts, haha.
SMART:
Particular (Increase my vocabulary by one new phrase every week)
Measurable (Itemizing every phrase as I be taught it)
Achievable (One phrase at a time is unquestionably achievable)
Related (As a result of studying and stuff!)
Time Sure (Weekly-one phrase every week for a yr)
This three-minute clip is from the Mates episode the place Joey makes use of a thesaurus to write down a advice letter in order that he sounds smarter. The tip result’s hilarious!
And there it’s… my record of 4 SMART targets for 2023. I actually preferred writing these out with the SMART technique as a result of I really feel like I’ve an agenda not only for a yr, however damaged down into segments to give attention to. We’ll see if it helps me obtain them!
Anybody else have new yr’s “resolutions”/targets? Please share! It is inspiring to see what different individuals are doing.