Goal Check, Month One

 

Where did January go??  For some people (my self included) this is the month that typically drags if you are into spring-autumn outdoor activities.  It's Winter and I'm so not a snow sports person.  I do love taking walks in my neighborhood, the town parks, or the nature preserves if conditions allow it, but for the most part this month drags on with its gloomy days and non-snow days.  We finally got snow last week although it was  only 5 inches.  It's now down to just a couple of inches due to the weekend's thaw but at least the sun has been out the last few days!  This year January flew by for me as we have been busy with work,  extracurricular activities that has included friends and family, ministry duties, and cleaning the home.  And now we are looking at February, come morning! 

So since this is the last evening of January, I'm going to do my 2023 Goal Check for the first month.  Did you set goals for this year?? 

PERSONAL/CAREER/MENTAL GOALS

The overall goal is to complete 15 credit hours for my NYS Aspire account (teaching credits).

Short term goal 1: complete 3 on site trainings by April. I have completed 1 training (Lockdown Drill review training) on site.  We have 2 more on site trainings to do in March. 

Short term goal 2: complete 2 online courses via the NYS OCFS website:  This goal is met!!  I have completed 3!  (Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome; Adverse Childhood Experiences aka ACEs; Mandated Reporter Training to Identify Neglect and Abuse). 

Short term goal 3: participate in all agency staff meetings January thru August:  our first one was cancelled for January and we don't have another one until March so this is on-going. 

Short term goal 4: upload all certificates to Aspire by the end of Summer School (I have already uploaded all of the ones I have completed/earned).  I believe we will have several more to upload after this quarter. 

Overall Goal Two:  Spend less time on social media

Short term goal 1: Turn off my phone after 8 pm.  I'm still working on this!

Short term goal 2: no Facebook or Insta before work or after dinner.  I've successfully done this with the before work thing but am still working on the after dinner part. 

Short term goal 3: read 2 non-fiction books by June:  I am almost done with 1 and I have started a 2nd one! This goal is not met yet. 

Short term goal 4: write letters to far away friends and family twice this year: I have written one letter this month:  to my friend Diane who lives out in central NY.  I am working on sending 3 cards with letters out for Valentine's Day to family members. 

Short term goal 5: practice piano 3x a week after work.  I am still working on this.  I did practice 2 evenings in the last 2 weeks! 

SPIRITUAL GOALS

Overall Goal: Pray more and discuss spiritual matters more with family and friends 

Short term goal 1: Read and study 1 major prophet of the OT and discuss with Dave:  I am currently studying the book of Isaiah.  I have shared some insights with Dave and wrote a blog post summarizing the first 5 chapters. This goal is on-going. 

Short term goal 2: read through Psalms.  I am currently reading  through the Psalms and began with Psalm 30. This goal is not met yet. 

Short term goal 3: read and study the book of Galatians in the NT.  This goal has not been started yet. 

Short term goal 4: begin a new woman's small group (this will happen come May) 

Short term goal 5: have a set time for prayer and meditation each morning or afternoon.  I am doing this (meditation) in the morning.  I also pray every morning, evening and sometimes while driving. this goal is on-going. 

Short term goal 6: Engage in one online Bible study:  this goal is met!  I participated in one led by my cousin Trisha about the Fruit of the Spirit. 

EMOTIONAL/RELATIONAL GOALS

Overall Goal:  continue to establish and maintain friendships and family ties

Short term goal 1: set up coffee dates with younger daughter: This is on-going.  We had our first month one about 3 weeks ago when we had a lunch date at a fave vegan cafe. Month 1 date is complete!

Short term goal 2: set up dinner dates with oldest daughter: We have had two this month!  one at her apartment and one at our home. this goal is on-going for the year.

Short term goal 3: continue to have at least 1 date night per month with Dave : this month we had 2 dinner dates (Indian restaurant; local fave diner) and 2 in-home movie date nights.  This goal is on-going all year. 

Short term goal 4: set up coffee/breakfast dates with close friends:  I had one breakfast date this month with my friend Cindy R. This goal is on-going. I'd like to have at least 3 more by June. 

Short term goal 5: continue to meet with prayer partner/spiritual mentor every 2 months:  I have not done this yet except over the phone with my prayer partner Monica.  Next month we plan on getting together in person for brunch and prayer. I did pray with my close friend Diane over the phone this month.  This goal is on going. 

Short term goal 6: host 4 game nights/dinner nights by end of calendar year:  We have plans to have a young couple over for Sunday dinner next month but this is just in the planning stages. This goal will continue to move forward. 

PHYSICAL GOALS

Overall goal: make treatment plan for back/neck/head pain

Short term goal 1: meet with neurologist:  This will happen on April 4th!

Short term goal 2: continue meeting with Chiropractor: this is on-going and pain is decreasing!!

Short term goal 3: follow the stretching/yoga routines daily: this is being met daily!

Short term goal 4: follow the fitness ball routine daily: this goal is being met daily!

Overall goal: continue to be physically active within the proper boundaries and lose some weight. 

Note: my primary and ob/gyn do not want me to lose weight.  they say i am fine as is. I would personally like to lose about 8 lbs. 

Short term goal 1: plan more deep woods hikes in the eastern/High Peaks regions of the ADK: this will be starting come Spring as is weather dependent. 

Short term goal 2: hike on 2 new trails in Vermont: this will happen  beginning in Spring

Short term goal 3: power walk 5x a week outdoors; walk with Dave 2x a week.  This goal is on-going.  I am averaging 3x a week this winter outdoors for a true brisk/fast power walk.  Currently (this week and next ) I am to not swing my arms...just brisk walk.....

Short term goal 4: continue to take phytosterols for lowering cholesterol levels naturally.  This is met and is  done daily.

Short term goal 5: continue to follow a plant-based diet.  We are eating more plant based foods and this is on-going.  I'd like to cut out 1 day of chicken and replace it with something plant-based.  

Short term goal 6: learn 2 new plant based recipes by June ....not met yet.....

Short term goal 7: hike 2 mountains by July (waiting for spring!)

Short term goal 8: bike 2-3 times a week this spring:  not met yet but looking forward to this! 

So I guess I'm off to a good start with my yearly goals.