I’ve always loved the process of setting goals. It’s why I’m constantly doing so. In the past, my goal-setting M.O. has been to set long-term yearly goals and short-term monthly goals. But I’ve been toying with the idea of setting quarterly goals and doing away with yearly and monthly goals.
Yearly goals are fun because it’s always exciting to envision what I want out of the year and to set goals to make it happen. But I usually wind up looking at my list of goals three or six months later and thinking, Why did I want these goals in the first place?
Monthly goals allow for this constant refreshing of goals and envisioning all I want to get out of the month ahead. But then I feel so much pressure to achieve the goals and become disappointed in myself when I don’t put in the work.
So, for now, I am going to set quarterly goals. If I like this process, then I’ll keep setting quarterly goals. If not, no biggie. It’s just an experiment.
So, with all that said, here are the goals I want to achieve in the third quarter of 2016:
1) Write at least 20,000 words in my novel.
I’m trying to write 500 words a day, which means, ideally, I’d be able to write 45,000 words in three months. But I also know myself very well and I know that I don’t want to write myself into a hole if there are days (or weeks…) when writing falls to the wayside due to life and other projects. So, I am committing to 20,000 words, which is a little less than 1,700 words per week (or three days a week of writing 500-ish words). That feels completely doable!
2) Start a freelancing side hustle.
I have put this goal on the back burner for too damn long. I want to freelance. I know I have the skills and the experience to build a solid side business through my writing. I just haven’t put in the effort. A few weekends ago, I added a “Work With Me” page on my blog and pulled together some of my writing samples. And last weekend, I began to apply for freelance writing gigs and gathered a list of websites to pitch to. I’m so ready for this. From my experience, it’s not just about the bank but also about the additional services they offer. Some banks provide financial advice, workshops, and networking events for freelancers. For more information, check out https://www.businessfinanced.co.uk/freelancer-bank-accounts/.
3) Have a smooth, seamless move into my new home.
My move will take place in September, and I am not looking forward to it! Ha. The packing, the unpacking, the physical act of moving from one apartment to another, the buying of new things… it can be so overwhelming and stressful. I just want to move to go smoothly and easily – and that my anxiety remains relatively at bay as I settled into my new home.
4) Take a social media/blogging sabbatical in September.
I like to take one month off social media and blogging every year, and I’ve decided to make that month September this year, since that month will be crazy. And I’m worried about my anxiety levels because moving usually wreaks havoc with them, so I figure that forcing myself away from being online will help me focus solely on the present moment.
5) Lose 10 lbs.
I continuously have a goal to lose weight, and maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe I should focus more on building healthier habits, less on the result of weight loss. And yet… I like to set these weight loss goals for myself, even if I rarely achieve them. Health-wise, I need to lose weight. I really want to lose 30-40 lbs to be at a place where I feel good about myself and happy with my reflection. I want that for myself. I deserve that. It all starts with those first 10 lbs.
6) Find a new primary care doctor and dentist.
Oof… it’s been a while since I’ve had a regular doctor and dentist. I’m putting this on my list to hopefully inspire me to finally knock these tasks out. Adulting… not always my strong suit!
What’s something you’d like to accomplish over the next three months?
It seems like you JUST moved in so it’s crazy to think you will be moving again in just over a month. Man time flies! I hope you find an apartment that you like soon so you at least have that part figured out! Moving is so much work and so expensive! Bleh! But hopefully you find a place where you can stay for several years!
I set yearly goals that are things I work on throughout the years. A couple of them had to go into uncompleteable status due to my hip surgery, though. Some things that aren’t on my yearly goal list that I’d like to accomplish in the next several months is painting the exterior doors of our house, getting our bathrooms and dining room painted, and buying some new furniture for the living room. However, these goals require buy in from Phil and he is a slooooow decision maker at times so we will see what all I can get accomplished…
I love the idea of setting quarterly goals. I’ve really been slacking in the goal-setting department lately. It’s time to pull out my 2016 goals and refresh them, I think.
J and I are moving soon as well, so I feel your moving-related pain! Having half of my life packed into boxes waiting for the move makes me feel really anxious. It will be worth it, through, and I have to say that getting rid of a ton of stuff during our last move has made this one much easier than it otherwise might have been.
Good luck with your goals! I’m sure you’ll do great. 🙂
Your goals sound realistic and doable for the next quarter :-). Aah, I know the pain and anxiety that surrounds moving – my boyfriend and I were just given notice last week that we need to leave our house in a few months due to the property being consigned for development (our landlord is a developer). We knew it was coming, but not when, so it was unexpected and kind of a shock when thrown at us last week. Anyway, finding an affordable place to rent is not easy, let alone undertaking the hassle of packing, moving, and unpacking itself…ugh lol. I wish you luck and the smoothest move possible when you make yours in September :-).
As far as goals go for this next quarter: write in my blog! I know I’ve neglected it, mainly because I haven’t known what to write/where I want to go with it, but I’ve been inspired with a direction again and will be changing the face of it. I plan/hope to stick with it this time!
Ugh, moving is SO stressful. I feel for you! Do whatever self-care you need to make it as easy as possible on yourself…
These are all really good and well thought out goals! I don’t do a lot of formal goal setting except for once a year, but if I did, I know our lists would look very similar!