Someone I know had posted her goals for the year on her website, in order be more accountable. I told her I wanted to do the same. It’s been a few months now but I finally found the time and commitment to get mine down. I will update these in a few months.
So, here they are, in no exact order:

Lose weight
This will boost my self-confidence and make me feel like I have more willpower to shape my future. This is something I’ve wanted to do for awhile. It’s also something I have tried to do but been unsuccessful at for a few years now. I seem to try a new approach and give up too soon. Then I gain more weight. The times when I actually try, I tend to at least stay at the same weight. This is also a goal I get very defensive about and turn to denial.
So, my specific goal would be to lose 10 pounds by Christmas. That doesn’t seem too hard and if I lose more, then all the better. My next goal would be to lose 20 more pounds by May and then another 10 before our family reunion at the end of July.

Succeed with my graduate studies
This would include staying caught up with my classes and being able to finish all the readings. I want to get the most out of my classes that I can. Writing out a list of things to complete for the week seems to help with this overwhelming task of staying on track.

Implement Leadership Development Plan
As part of the assignment, I will need to implement my plan by Feb. 2009. I have already begun doing this. This goal includes increasing networking and becoming a better speaker. I am looking into joining a Toastmasters group to learn how to be a better public speaker. As for increasing networking, I guess I can just introduce myself to more people at work and try to get my CEOs involved in my studies.

Figure out what I want to do with my career
This could be a long term project. But for now, I just want to narrow down my areas of interest, with help from my professors.

Continue writing travel articles
I want to continue as the Feature Writer for NW US/ Alaska travel. This means that until December, I will have to focus my attention to writing at least 1 article per week. After my classes end in December, I will be able to write more often and write drafts to save for my next term of study.

Updating my websites
One thing I haven't done well lately, is keeping my websites up-to-date, whether this one or NWTravelOnline or AdventureSisters.net. I know this takes times but it could be worth it. I am working on getting this website updated to include a front page, rather than just going straight to my blog entries. This will take the cooperation of my husband to use his skills and the time to do it.

Strengthen marriage and other relationships
We joined a small group at church and are doing a marriage study. I want to continue this and continue to be involved at church. I think this is one area that will strengthen our marriage. Also, it is important to talk with other couples who have been married longer – like a marriage mentor. We can continue our reading on our own.

I want to continue keeping my family in touch with each other, whether through letters, e-mails or my website. I would like to develop a new version of the Radiant Times but I know my time is limited. I would like to brain-storm new ideas on how to do this. One possibility is to start a circle letter like my husband’s family does, or an online version.

Organize office and rooms
This is an ongoing project and frustration. I haven’t unpacked everything from when I moved in last year! I need to go through all my boxes and make sure I want to keep everything.

Get yard ready for winter and then spring
Weeding, weeding and more weeding. I want to plant some garlic after I take out the tomato plants. I would also like to build another raised garden if possible. We are trying to complete a woodshed right now.

Be happy at work
This is a tough one for me. I need to learn that the work I do is important and worthwhile. I will ask for help from my supervisor with this one. This is an ongoing problem for me. One challenge for me is being open with my boss, and being able to express myself verbally instead of writing a letter. This one will work better if I better my public speaking skills.

Find a volunteer project
I’ve been looking for a volunteer project for a long time. I don’t have much extra time but I want to be able to do something, even if just a small task. So, I will continue to look for volunteer opportunities. I might try asking around at church.

Work on debt
This is another ongoing project. I brought a lot of debt to my marriage from before. We are working on this. I think we're doing a pretty good job. My student loans for graduate school have added to this but actually using some of this money to pay the higher interest rate debts might be a good idea, since these loans have lower interest rates. We'll see how this works. I am still looking for more scholarships for next year.

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