Goals - 2023

Inspired by Successful Teacher blogger Pat Hensley, I am going to do something different - actually articulate some goals for the year. Most of these, I admit, are not new nor very ambitious. But perhaps writing them down will provide an incentive to accomplish them.

1. Travel to at least one new country (TBD)
2. Participate in at least three challenging hikes and two challenging bicycle rides.
3. Cook at least one new recipe each month.
4. Add “mini” exercise routines to my usual workout. (Do five squats each time after I get out of my recliner?)*
5. Expand the time spent on my YMCA days to a full hour by adding walks around the track to my weight routine.
6. Read at least 52 books - and not just "junk" reading.
7. Continue to follow my Rules for Retirement.
8. Reflect on my strategies for achieving consistent happiness.
9. Get all my old family photos scanned. (I converted all my VHS home movies to digital in 2022)
10. Visit my 90 year old mother once a month and continue to call her twice weekly.
11. Contact my children once a week.
12. Lead a hike or bike ride for my outdoor club each month.
13. Participate in a hiking trail maintenance project.
14. Explore at least one new volunteer activity.
15. Write at least one blog post a week. 
16. Finish editing my book of extractions from the Blue Skunk blog
17. Begin a collection of posts about my travels.
18. Be proactive in staying in contact with good friends through calls and get togethers.
19. Be more mindful of how I react to the stupid actions of others, especially careless drivers. Be more compassionate toward those who need my help.
20. Refrain from looking at the status of my IRA balance more than once a month.

Overall, my major goal is finding meaning in retirement. How do I balance my inherent laziness and selfishness with purpose? How do I measure my physical strength, my mental capacity, my creativity? Perhaps I these tasks should be my stated as goals.

*Suggested by a columnist who was inspired by the book Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg. On my reading list.

Comments

[Pat Hensley]

What great goals these are! I am going to remember some of these for next year! It really helps me stay on track when I review them each month to see how I'm progressing. Otherwise, it is "out of sight, out of mind" and nothing is accomplished. Good luck! I look forward to seeing how well you do.