23 Goals for 2023 End of year Check-In
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.
"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!
How to Smash Your Goals in 2022
The years 2020 and 2021 taught us a lot about uncertainty. Nevertheless, the beginning of a new year is a hopeful time. Let’s set and smash our goals in 2022!
The years 2020 and 2021 taught us a lot about uncertainty, to the point where now we probably have gotten used to plans changing on a whim or at least a bit more comfortable with variability. Nevertheless, the beginning of a new year is a hopeful time. It is often a time where we daydream and envision our ideal future and motivate ourselves to turn our vision of this future into reality by smashing our goals.
My method of goal setting remains the same, but I wanted to add a few specifics this time around:
1.START WITH A YEAR REVIEW
I know this might seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth your time. Don’t stress, just be honest with yourself. If you had a planner last year, just look back through the months and assess everything without judgment. The easiest way to do this review is by answering these 5 questions:
Identify 3 to 5 things that made you proud from 2021
If you set goals for 2021, how far did you get?
Identify what worked well, what didn’t work and why
Are there things you would like to improve, start or stop doing?
What are some of the lessons you learned last year that you want to keep moving forward?
2. PRIORITIZE YOUR GOALS
Now that you’ve done your review, identify the top priority areas that you want to work on whether it is career, finances, health, relationships, etc. It could be all of the above, but pinpoint specific things in each category to work on. Remember, this is not about anyone else but you.
3. WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN
A sure way to make things happen is to write it down. It sounds strange, but there is enormous power in putting things down on paper, and according to research you become 42% more likely to achieve your goals and dreams when it’s written. I always keep a physical (paper) planner even though I use the planner on my smartphone as well. If you’re in need of a planner, you can find one here.
4. MAKE YOUR GOALS S.M.A.R.T.E.R
So how exactly do you set intentions that you will actually stick to? Be SMART about it. You’ve heard me speak on setting smart goals here and here. But this year, I want us to be SMARTER.
Before you set a goal, first figure out your “why.” By figuring out and articulating the reason you want to achieve something you are more likely to remain motivated to stick to it.
S - Small and Specific: What do you want to do?
M - Measurable : How will you track your progress?
A - Attainable: How will you do it?
R - Relevant: Is this relevant to your life right now?
T - Timely: When do you want to do it?
E - Evaluate: How is it going?
R - Readjust: How can you make it better?
5. Build a system around ACHIEVing YOUR GOALS
This is where we sometimes lose focus. We may know what goal(s) we want to accomplish and at this point they are intentions, but the steps in how to accomplish them might get blurry, so we need to turn them into action.
6. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS, REFLECT AND RE-CALIBRATE
Resist the urge to freestyle your goals and actually check your progress as you go along. At the end each month, take time out to analyze what you have achieved, what you failed to achieve and how to improve on this. Journaling as you go along and circling back at the end of each month can really help you to stay on track.
7. ADJUST TO LIFE’S LEMONS
Life gets in the way and can derail you. Things such as illness, family commitments, work, life emergencies etc can impact your goals. Take note of these things and adjust as you proceed.
8. ASK FOR HELP
Lastly, get an accountability partner. Have a friend or loved one you can lean on for moral support and encouragement, you will need it from time to time. If you need specific help, reach out to those who can offer any guidance or assistance. The internet and social media is a great way to make connections.
Bonus: Be your own D**n Cheerleader and eliminate self doubt. Figure out what keeps you motivated and inspired. I love quotes! I keep them everywhere - my phone’s wallpaper, sticky notes around the house, on my desk at work, on the bathroom mirror, etc. I listen to music, books and podcasts that are uplifting. I tolerate no negativity and try to stay away from it at all costs.
Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish. By breaking down your goals into bite-sized, manageable actions and writing them down, setting goals and intentions for the new year that you can actually stick to becomes a much easier process.
Grab your planner and let’s smash our 2022 goals! Remember, a sure way to make things happen is to write it down.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Set New Year Intentions (Goals) that You Will Actually Stick To
A new year is upon us, which means it’s time to reflect on the past year and bid the last 12 months adieu. With 2019 comes the promise of a fresh start whether it be personal or professional. But, how many of us get really excited for a new year and set lofty goals only for them to fall by the wayside in mid-January? Setting new year resolution for goals has been a long time tradition but statistics show that only about 10% of people actually stick to their new year resolutions past the month of January - that’s pretty low, but we can change that.
A new year is upon us, which means it’s time to reflect on the past year and bid the last 12 months adieu. With 2019 comes the promise of a fresh start whether it be personal or professional. But, how many of us get really excited for a new year and set lofty goals only for them to fall by the wayside by mid-January? Setting new year resolutions has been a long time tradition but statistics show that only about 10% of people actually stick to their new year resolutions past the month of January - that’s pretty low, but we can change that.
I am a huge proponent of self improvement and and an even bigger proponent of setting goals that are actually measurable and attainable. So how exactly do you set intentions that you will actually stick to? Be SMART about it.
Before you set a goal, first figure out your “why.” By figuring out and articulating the reason you want to achieve something you are more likely to remain motivated to stick to it, rather than it being something you think you should do.
S - Small and Specific: Break your goals into smaller, more specific ones. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier in 2019, be more specific by making it about adding 1 fresh fruit or vegetable and a bottle of water per day for the month of January.
M - Measurable : All your goals must be measurable, that means you should be able to describe the physical manifestation of the outcome of your goal. Example, losing 2lbs per week by adding one fruit or vegetable and a bottle of water to our diet each day.
A - Attainable and Accountability: Is your goal attainable? Can you realistically achieve your goal? Another great way to stay on track is to find someone you trust to keep you accountable. Example, someone who will check in to make sure you had your fruit/vegetable each day or someone who will ensure you meal prep.
R - Relevant and Realistic: Is this goal relevant to you or even realistic? Ensure you’re not setting a goal that you really don’t care about and hence not realistic. Example, I dislike running. If i make it a goal of mine to incorporate running 1 mile/day I know I will fail. Instead, I ensure I get my cardio in by getting on the elliptical or bike each day.
T - Timely: Make a tentative plan for everything you do. Don’t just make it a goal to exercise once per day. You know your schedule, you know if you’re a morning or late night person. Instead of saying you will work out once per day, say you will work out at 5:30 each morning for 1 hour before work/school.
In all of this, a sure way to make things happen is to write it down. It sounds strange, but there is enormous power in putting things down on paper, and according to research you become 42% more likely to achieve your goals and dreams when it’s written.
Bonus: Be your own D**n Cheerleader and eliminate self doubt. Figure out what keeps you motivated and inspired. I love quotes! I keep them everywhere - my phone’s wallpaper, sticky notes around the house, on my desk at work, I listen to music, books and podcasts that are uplifting. I tolerate no negativity and try to stay away from it at all costs.
Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish. By breaking down your goals into bite-sized, manageable actions and writing them down,setting goals and intentions for the new year that you can actually stick to becomes a much easier process. Happy New Year!