23 Goals for 2023 End of year Check-In
"Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true." — Leon Joseph Cardinal Suenens
As this year comes to a close, I find myself revisiting the 23 goals I set for myself in my "23 Goals for 2023" blog post at the beginning of this year. Along the way, I provided a mid-year check-in to update you on my progress, and here we are now, at the end-of-year check-in, evaluating how far I've come and what I've achieved.
2023 turned out to be more challenging than I anticipated. While I didn't quite accomplish all 23 goals I set, I managed to achieve the more meaningful ones. As the year unfolded, I had to prioritize certain things over others. It's been a year of growth, of learning to appreciate the small things, and understanding the true essence of wealth – family, health, and simple moments of joy.
Read at least 23 books in 2023: While I fell short of this goal by only three books, considering where I was six months ago, I'm content with my progress. I read 20 books this year. You can see all the books I read this year here - consider joining my book club so we can read together each month.
Commit to working out 2-3 times per week: Scheduling workouts became a challenge, but it's an area I plan to improve upon.
Run a 10K: Unfortunately, this didn't happen, but it's on the list for 2024.
Maintain a 7-figure practice/business: My practice sustained its status, despite not experiencing the growth I anticipated. Nevertheless, I found different kinds of growth, not just financial.
Re-commit to date night with my husband once per week: Though not every week, my husband and I found other ways to stay connected, making our bond stronger.
Schedule a CEO day once per month: While I faced difficulty sticking to this, I acknowledge the importance of these days.
Go to church at least one Sunday per month: My spiritual growth was a highlight of the year, attending regularly (not just on Sundays) and deepening my faith.
Complete the Wharton Masters Business of Orthodontics-AAO Program: Completed, although its direct impact is yet to be seen.
Be more active on the Board of the DC Dental Society: Actively engaged throughout the year and plan to continue for 2024.
Drink more water (4-6 cups/day): Continual progress in this area. I have found keeping a bottle of water near at all times increases the chance of drinking more regularly. Example: a glass/bottle on the bedside table.
Increase my blogging & candle company income: Notably, my blogging income saw tremendous growth.
Do one family/kid-friendly activity per week(end): Managed to fulfill this, enriching family life which was of great importance to me this year.
Spend 1000 hours outdoors: A rough estimate, but we did spend ample time in nature.
Try a new restaurant every month: The adventure of exploring new cuisines continued, although this did not happen every month.
Find ways to give back to my community: Planning for increased involvement in 2024 both locally and overseas.
Do continuing education (CEs) once per month: Completed at least 30 hours of CE this year.
One spa day per month (self-care): Regular self-care days, although slightly less frequent than planned.
Book at least four trips and two "real" vacations: Unfortunately, some trips didn't materialize.
Gain a new skill: Personal growth achieved through acquiring new skills mostly in my professional life.
Get more sleep: Conscious efforts made towards better rest. I plan to track this next year,
Pay off debt: Substantial progress in financial discipline made.
Learn one new recipe every month: This fell by the wayside, reconsidering for the next year.
Shop with more small businesses: Continued support for local and small businesses.
Reflecting on this year, while it was not without challenges, I'm grateful for the lessons learned and the progress made. My appreciation for life's simple joys has grown immensely. As I enter a new year, I carry forward these lessons and focus on what truly matters.
Thank you for being a part of my journey. Let's continue to inspire each other as we navigate the path of personal growth and self-improvement. What are your goals for the upcoming year? Let's embark on this journey together, encouraging and supporting one another along the way. Cheers to new beginnings and the promise of a fresh start!
