I’ve been thinking through my goals for 2014, and while I tried to set some that will take a little bit of work to achieve–I tried not to overwhelm myself! I have a tendency to do that…
One thing I did a little differently this year was to pick one word for 2014. Using that one word to embody my year–a word to remember and focus upon as I go throughout the year. You can see that one word here. 🙂
As I thought about that word, I wrote my 15 goals for 2014. Here they are:
Spiritual
Read through the New Testament in a year using the YouVersion Bible app and reading plan.
Continue to donate all proceeds from God’s Little Explorers to the orphanage we are supporting in India. (This is both a spiritual and financial goal–I’m still hoping to get to visit the orphanage this year!)
Last year (with all of your help), we were able to raise close to $19,000!! The orphanage has met the first goal of $150,000 to begin the building project, but they will still need to raise another $150,000 to finish it.
Attend a Bible study or small group for part of the year.
Financial:
Pay off our home mortgage as quickly as possible.
Several years ago, we took a Crown Financial study through our church. Both my husband and I really felt led to get our mortgage paid off as quickly as possible. We’ve made good progress and hopefully will have it paid off in the next year or two!
Anyway, to meet our goal we’ll put extra towards the mortgage each month. Plus, we’ll make an extra lump sum payment in June and December.
Replace our 11-year-old Buick Rendevous.
We have just a small amount saved up to replace our car–it will hit 150,000 miles very soon–so we need to become a little more proactive about saving toward that goal. I want to keep driving it as long as possible, but since I don’t want to get a car loan, we need to make sure we have enough to replace it when necessary!
Health and Fitness
Complete a Get at the Roots Weight Loss Class.
I have a friend offering this class, and I decided I really needed the accountability this winter!
Work-out 3-4 days per week throughout the year.
I’ll use the treadmill, our local rec center, some simple work-out DVDs and walking.
Marriage
At least two date nights per month.
Attend a FamilyLife Marriage conference.
Mothering
Work with each daughter on one big goal of her choice.
So far, my oldest wants to learn to cook (she’s done some basic cooking but wants to do some more), my middle daughter wants to do all the experiments in her Snap Circuits Jr kit she got for Christmas, and my youngest…well, she is hard to pin down! 🙂
Complete at least 12 read alouds.
I’ll be sharing those later. You can see our list from 2012 here.
Personal:
Read 30 books
I’ll be sharing my list soon!
You can see last year’s list here. I’ll be posting my favorites from 2013, too. I ended up adding quite a few different books than I had on the list!
Meet weekly with accountability friend.
I just started meeting each week with a friend to hold me accountable for my goals
Blogging:
Attend a speaking conference
Recently God has really put on my heart ways to encourage other moms, and I feel like I’m supposed to do more speaking. I’ve really been fighting this for a while–I’m such an introvert that speaking is challenging for me. I literally get sick to my stomach when I think about it! Yet, I just feel like I’m supposed to stretch myself this year and get out of my comfort zone.
Write another eBook.
Not quite sure of the topic yet, but I do want to do this in 2014! This is another stretching area for me!
Did you write out your goals? Feel free to share them!
Tami says
$19,000 for the orphanage! WOO HOOO! That is amazing! 🙂 So proud of you!
Cheryl says
These are awesome goals! This is the push I need to make mine as well. So far, I have printed out the helpful questions. I have been ruminating over some of the questions. Now I have to (gulp) write it and get it going. Having an accountability friend may need to be my next step. Thank you.
Laura H says
Amazing contribution to the orphanage. Thank you for turning over your proceeds; love that your preschool pack is impacting “preschoolers” world-wide!
I too posted some goals on my blog this week: http://covingtonchronicle.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-look-ahead.html
Stacie Nelson says
Thanks, Laura! I had never really thought about “preschoolers” worldwide. That is a neat way of looking at it! 🙂
I love your “Hope-to” list. All things that show up on my list, too. Thankful for grace!