A week into 2024, I have my annual goals! 2024 marks the 6th year I’ve publicly shared my aspirations for the year. Just in years’ past, much of these goals are measurable while still offering space for aspirations. It also marks the 3rd time I am setting a word for the year. “Experiment” is my word for 2024, and that’s part of my content calendar.
Likewise, 2024’s goals come from a lesson from last year: A consistent schedule not only sets a content calendar for myself/readers, it always gave me something to write on. Having publication as part of my system helped reliability. A (busy!) synergist, I take pride in developing systems for regularly working toward goals.
Reflecting, creating publication deadlines is both internally and externally driven. I view myself as a writer and therefore want stuff to write about. But I also know the public nature of my website can lean into the idea of being watched/read… even if my audience is a cute little corner of the Internet, there are real people reading (hi!), not just bots.
So, with schedules in mind, 3 of my 5 goals for the year have publication dates for when I’ll post progress via blog. Each goal follows a schedule, not unlike last year. You can expect fresh content on the 10th, 20th, and 30th of each month (with the exception of the 29th in February, happy leap year).
Since much of my time is divided, from grad school to work, I am setting 5 goals this year. As always, these goals relate to my core values:
Creative Goal, with Explanations:
- Lean into writing on feelings and memories for my book draft, Omit to Commit
- This will help give some heart to the book, in the form of what I’m calling “still writing”
- I’m considering some stream-of-conscious writing or mixed media, which may result in more resources, chapters, or new introductions and conclusions for the book
- Discoveries will be shared on the 20th of each month – explore Omit to Commit’s “still writing” content and other chapters here and consider following #omit2commit on Instagram
Exploring Goal:
- Run small experiments as part of word for the year
- These will be small tests for myself, often based on questions, such as ‘What happens when I exercise first thing in the morning for 30 days?’
- 2024’s word for the year is “experiment”, inspired by my godson, seeking curiosity, and finding playfulness in routine
- Each letter will be explored on the 10th of each month – read my “experiments” here – starting with an introduction or possibly hypothesis/es, then running experiment(s) for 30 days, and ending with results/conclusions at the end of the year
Learning Goal:
- Brush up on Spanish skills with weekly lessons
- I will most likely use internal and external resources for this, leaning into people I know and software, such as Duolingo
- This is due in part to my potential future career in Outreach Librarianship to better support communities
- I’m also learning German, coding, and want to keep learning languages!
Moving Goal:
- Lift twice weekly and run twice weekly
- An avid runner and plants-based athlete, I know swapping runs for lifts will support endurance and strength, so this goal gives wiggle room
- Confidence comes when I move!
- My grad school has a gym, so I’m making a system to get full body workouts in regularly (right now, in Winter, that looks like lifting on Sundays and Tuesdays)
Serving Goal:
- Research and develop goals and feelings resources
- Since so many books, handouts, and apps exist for feeling/mood tracking, I am curious how much exists. What works well? How often are these materials based on access, such as having the internet?
- Can I perhaps make an automation or data visualization, and integrate these findings into Omit to Commit?
- Questions, hopefully some answers, resources, and maybe reflections of my (mostly measurable) goals will be shared every month on the 30th – review some honest reflections on my progress here
While I have set ambitious goals in years past (such as an astounding 19 goals in my first year of publishing this website, 2019!), 2024’s time is divided. Much of my time will be spent working, studying, and volunteering. Therefore, I have other goals beyond these pixels. Continuing to excel at grad school is key, especially as I am an older student and am slowly transitioning careers (and industries) from marketing to library and information science.
Making and maintaining relationships is essential for me, on and offline. Everyone has a story to tell, and I’d love to support yours. Whether it’s helping you set a goal or forget one, learn from yourself or others, I’d like to help. Some aspirations of such storytelling-as-service include starting the podcast for Womxn in Progress, as well as the content I mentioned above. So, comment here or reach out on this form, if you’d like to connect on your goals or habits! Here’s to actionable, engaging goals and systems in 2024!