I have very weird feelings about resolutions.
I want to be thoughtful and intentional with time. But I also want to be realistic. I don’t want to set myself up for failure or comparison.
I don’t want to set big goals that make me feel pressure to be purposeful with every moment of every day. I don’t want a full calendar.
And even reading other people’s goals makes me think things like, “That’s a pretty big goal. Do I need a bigger goal?” Because, on paper, it looks pretty stinking good to have big goals.
I don’t want to make goals to do more things. I’ve been doing more things for a few years now, and that hasn’t worked out too well for my heart. I’m still going with white space in 2014.
But I want goals that help me focus on the things I love. Goals that come from me stripping down to the core of who I am and whom and what I love. What can I do to make room for more of all of that?
What can I get rid of to make room for more of all of that?
This isn’t about a checklist or 2014 bucket list. This is a way to take a good luck at what makes me happy and what gives me peace and white space in the every day.
I have to look to my core passions.
For me, I know that my core passions are my faith, my family, my home, serving my church, writing, and hospitality.
It makes me happy to meal plan and have a meal on the table for my family at night. But, more than that, I’m happy to not rush around to the grocery store to make that happen. Being organized and having a weekly plan of action (meals, laundry, chores for the kids and for me) is a goal of mine.
I am an introvert, and I’ve been so over-scheduled for the past two years. I want more time to read. I want to sit and make time- just 30 minutes a day- to escape with some great fiction.
I am committing to read through the Bible in a year.
I want to spend time writing and blogging, but not making any huge goals with those things. I enjoy it and want to do it well to exercise my creativity and to connect with all of you.
Some goals weren’t meant for me. I’m okay with looking at others and admiring them while they excel. Someone else’s core values and strengths can be beautiful to me without me feeling like I need to adopt the same goals.
I can’t do all the things and do them all well.
But the main thing for 2014 is recognizing that I will not do everything well. So I’m choosing the things that I know I can do really well and doing my best to create white space everywhere else. I am committing to doing a few things really well.
In 2014 I want to love my family well. I want to grow in my walk with Christ. I want to be a good, thoughtful friend. I want to be healthy and mindful of what I eat and how much I move. I want to read more, clear out the clutter on my calendar, and get more sleep. And I want to make time for myself and allow myself to dream a little.
What are your dreams for 2014? How do you go about setting goals and planning ahead?
(*In the photo above, you can see the Day Designer by Whitney English, the 2014 Power Sheets by Lara Casey and a Brilliant Ideas notepad from Ashley Brooke Designs.)
Love this, Erin! I can’t wait for my Day Designer to arrive.
I think simple goals are sometimes more realistic. I’ve set a million specific, measurable goals and usually end up frustrated with myself because I’m already overcommitted and out of time. I’m looking forward to a more simple, slow-paced new year.
The measurable goals always seem to leave me disappointed. I guess my Bible reading goal is my only goal that is truly measurable, and one that I know will spill over into the other areas of my life. I’m so excited for your 2014. Love you, friend!
Such wonderful goals. I want to clear clutter and grow with Christ as well…and take time to appreciate those little moments that make life such a blessing! Happy 2014 to you and your sweet family! 🙂
http://sometimesgracefully.com
Thank you, Gracie! Happy 2014 to you, too!
I agree – I’m trying to keep it simple this year. I’m a planner, but went out of my comfort zone in 2013 and it taught me that it’s okay to be spontaneous sometimes. I told myself I’d lose my pregnancy weight this past year, and that didn’t happen. So this coming year, I’m just going to focus on eating better and exercising more without putting pressure on myself. My husband and I bought bikes and a child seat for our son, so my hope is that we will go biking more often as a family. I also used to own a horse and used to go horseback riding a lot – but ever since I became married, it has stopped. So I hope to go on more trail rides in the future even though I no longer have a horse.
Good luck to all of us!! May we find peace this coming year, even though I know life can be full of obstacles.
It is so much fun to drop the plans and start doing things that aren’t planned. I imagine lots of great adventures come that way. Happy new year to you!
I’ve been mulling over the same things as well; digging really deep into the things I love + improving life in those areas, and saying “bye” to the rest of them. I saw a not-so-new quote on Pinterest today that said, “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” So true, right? Time to take life and MAKE something out of it through the things God has given me!
I love that quote, Heather. It is so true! I imagine we’ll all improve our self esteem if we focus on our strengths, too! 😉
I think one of my goals for 2014 needs to be to hug Erin Carroll’s neck and soak in a little bit of the goodness that is spilling over from your precious heart.
Sweet friend. Thank you! Maybe 2014 will be the year we finally meet!
I think this is so wise, Erin, to step back and examine what I can do well instead of trying to do all the things well. I’m going to have to sit down and really ponder and plan what that looks like for me this year! (Incidentally, how are you liking the Powersheets? I’ve heard so much about them and thinking about getting them.)
What wonderful goals – I really want to commit to being the best me I can this year, getting back in shape, doing a daily devotion – and loving every minute of life!