Thursday, December 31, 2015

Year in Review: 2015 Goals

The anticipation of the crisp, fresh start of a new year has a goal-oriented gal like me practically salivating. As a lover of lists, I love setting goals (not resolutions - I'm not a resolutions person) for the new year. But I can't set my sights on what I want to accomplish in 2016 without reviewing my 2015 goals!  Here is how the year shaped up for me.

1.  Work on resolving my sleep issues.  DONE! Out of the goals I set for 2015, this was the most intimidating goal and I didn't make any progress toward it until July when I went off Ambien. I had taken Ambien every day for nearly 2 years so it was extremely difficult to adjust to a drug-free solution to my sleep issues. Luckily the cognitive behavioral therapy techniques that the sleep doctors recommended worked and I am now sleeping much better. I still have further progress to make but I'm proud of the fact that I am now off of Ambien.

2.  Tackle a list of purging/organizational projects. DONE! I focused on this goal during the cold, yucky winter months and completed projects such as purging my book shelves, organizing recipes, cleaning out my financial documents filing box, and cleaning and organizing my closet. I also moved in May which forced me to do yet another purge of my belongings. It felt great to lighten my load!

3.  Complete the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge. DONE! I had so much fun doing this challenge. It pushed me to read books I wouldn't have read if not for this challenge. Did I love every book I read for this challenge?  No (I'm looking at you, Sense and Sensibility). But I'm still glad I did it and look forward to participating in the 2016 challenge. 

4.  Read 12 books that I own. DONE! I still have MANY more unread books to read, but it was nice to read 12 books that I owned. As I finished each book, I either mailed it to someone that I thought might enjoy it or I donated it, thus continuing the book purge that I started at the beginning of the year when tackling my organizational projects.

5.  Employ a "Buy One Give One Away" approach to all book, clothing, and kitchen gadget purchases. DONE.  For the most part, I didn't exactly do this in tandem (i.e., I donated a bunch of books/clothes early in the year and gradually added back pieces throughout the year). I did achieve the goal in tandem when it came to my kitchen, though.

6.  Complete a sprint tri. DONE. I completed my first spring tri in August and had a great time doing it!  I look forward to doing more in the future! 

This post feels a little braggy since I achieved all of my goals, but many of them required a lot of work and dedication on my part. Also, for me, the trick to achieving my goals is setting the right number. I've learned that I can only really focus on 5-6 BIG goals. For some people, it works to set 5-6 goals/month, or possibly more, but that approach just doesn't work for me as I'd be setting myself up for failure or would feel overwhelmed/stressed out, especially since I am an "upholder" so when i set a goal, I'll do all I can to finish it.  I think the key to achieving your goals is knowing yourself well enough to know how to set yourself up for success - and that looks different for every person.

Next week I'll be sharing the goals I set for 2016!

Have a safe and happy new year, everyone!  Here's hoping that the year to come is a great one for one and all!

15 comments:

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

This is not braggy, it's awesome! Great job with all your goals. I'm not sure if I've ever seen you not meet a goal ha ha, it's the upholder in you!

I can't wait to see what your 2016 goals are!

Jeanie said...

Wow! I am seriously impressed. Brag away (personally, I think of it as stating your accomplishments -- which are terrific ones.) All good goals and I can see where some would be extremely challenging! Here's to a great 2016! Happy New Year!

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

I have yet to listen to each of the 4 tendency descriptions yet but I am thinking I have a lot of rebel in me hahahah. If I quietly do something I'm pretty good. But when it is out in the world. I stop. It's like a sick twisted self-failing doomsday when I tell someone hahaha. But I keep making lists. Cuz I like lists. ;) I don't remember if I made any goals but I know personally my goal has been to clean out my office and it's only been in the last two months that I've made serious headway there! I've donated over 40 books and thrown a lot out. My current plan is to clear all the stuff from their floor or bed spots and any papers I think that are necessary are going on my desk. When I'm done with all of that I'm tackling the file cabinet and going to town. I hate clutter. But I seem to hav eone giant room of clutter. Good work on achieving your goals.

Raquelita said...

Happy New Year, Lisa! You should definitely not feel like you are bragging. You set some pretty challenging goals and accomplished them, and I know how much work, time, and energy that can take. I like what you said about setting yourself up for success. I struggle to find a balance between the motivation of goal setting and the realities of a workload that can be pretty intense at times of the year.

Vanessa Meads said...

Wow, you really rocked it this year - way to go!

There is nothing I love more than a good purge. We gave away a ton of stuff when we moved this year as well, and it felt great.

Happy New Year!

Carolina John said...

Wonderful! You had a great year.

Unknown said...

This is awesome!! Great job! I am super impressed that you kept all those goals. I don't know if I made any goals for this past year, so I can't say whether or not I accomplished any of them but I still feel pretty good about the year. One thing I know I want for 2016: to see more of you! It's been waaaay too long.

Elizabeth said...

What a great year! LOVE that you accomplished all of them. It feels so great to check the items off the list and I agree about trying to make sure that they're obtainable. Looks like it was a wonderful holiday season too :) Love seeing the joint Christmas experience with Phil and you :)

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

Nice work on the goals girl! I don't think it's braggy at all - you need to own your accomplishments and celebrate them :-) You've had a wonderful 2015! All the best to you in 2016!!!!

Stephany said...

Nice job on checking off all the goals on your list! Cheers to 2016!

Jenny said...

Happy New Year :) I don't think its bragging at all, you would still have posted if you hadn't achieved one or more of them, you just happened to work hard and knocked it out of the park - nice job!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

Great job on achieving your goals! I think that is one of the things that is important if you are an upholder, learning not to set too many of them! Otherwise we (upholders) get frustrated with ourselves, which is never a good thing. You have a good number of goals, which are not "easy" but ARE achievable, which in my mind is a good mix (but a hard one to judge at times).

I have a list in progress right now! There are a lot of goals for me which I will not post, but fear not, they are also here on a list at home!

Amber said...

Way to go on completing all of your goals! I think I am going to employ your tactic of having a list of organization projects and have a list of house projects for 2016. There are a few things I really want to do in our house this year, like some painting, but it just sounds sooooo daunting when I think of all of it. If I make a list I can slowly chip through the list over a few months! I have not really set any New Year's goals for a few years now but I might do it again this year to motivate myself on a few fronts like with organization/house projects and finances!

Linda said...

Congrats!! Sending you a high five.

Abby said...

You always impress me so much with how you make all the goals you set for yourself!

I actually forgot about your sleep issues - which is a good sign that things are better! Thank GOD!!! I hope that continues!