2020 Goals: Q1 Update

Wow, what a beginning to 2020! The whole population seemed ready to launch into a new decade with fresh goals, new outlooks, and ready to tackle new challenges. The roaring 20s were back! 

Then everything came screeching to a halt. We have been hit with a pandemic and everyone is subject to some sort of stay at home advisory, which most people are referring to as quarantine even when they are not sick. 

I can totally understand how this can completely derail someone. Do not feel bad if you are just in survival mode right now. You do not need to go on some enlightenment journey in this uncertain time. However, if you are persevering through this and are using this to your advantage kudos to you and keep up the good work, but don’t shame those who are not adjusting to the “new normal” as well as you *think* they should. 

So where am I at? Well I can say, some goals I was crushing and some I was not (read: most). This was my first time in a long time actually writing out my goals and truly having accountability. What’s the old saying? Shoot for the moon and if you miss you’ll land among the stars? Let’s go with that. 

Due to my introverted personality, I am loving this more home-centric lifestyle. But! It’s definitely affected some of my goals. I am truly blessed to still be working and also have my husband still be working. It’s devastating to think of all those out of work at this time and how it’s affecting their livelihood. I do not want you to think I’m oblivious to the fallout of this pandemic. 

Now, enough with the sad. Back to the goals. If you need a reminder check out my first post here. 

Business Goals

My business goals I am not crushing at all. By the beginning of March, my workplace was buzzing with concern over the pandemic and I was straight-out working to get my staff to be able to work remote and coupled with a 3-day conference the week before we were going to go remote. Needless to say, my lunchtime gym also closed for the time-being.

Additionally, I think I overestimated the ease of which I would acclimate to being back at work full-time as a new mom. Live and learn I guess!

1. Launch blog by the end of January 2020. 

Accomplished: 

1. Pick a paid host – Bluehost!
2. Establish a “niche” – Lifestyle!
3. Create at least 1 blog post a month – I have 4 posts! So a bit ahead!
4. Share with at least 2 friends to increase exposure – despite my insecurities I have actually shared this with 5 friends! 

Missed the Timeframe & Outstanding:

1. Establish an email list for the blog and have it functional by March.

Ongoing/Outstanding:

2. Create at least 1 blog post a month
3. Have at least 1 blog post for each category by May
4. Obtain 2 new fitness certifications

Accomplished: 

1. By the end of January, pick which certification to take first – My gym owner suggested Group X so I could cover more classes if needed, I totally get it and agree, even though my heart says yoga <3  :’(

Missed the Timeframe & Outstanding:

1. Last week in January – pay for the class and download the course materials.
2. Take the exam by February 28.
3. By the end of March  – pay for the class and download the course materials.
4. Take the exam by April 30.

Finance Goals

We are accomplishing our finance goals and then some. I’m so freaking proud.

1. Have $3,000 in accessible savings by February 2020 
   • Accomplished: February 5, 2020! 

2. Pay off all credit cards by year-end
   • Ongoing/Outstanding: current balance is $6,700. More than half-way there! 

Health Goals

I have been trying to be dedicated to this goal as much as possible, but March was wild at work and it definitely affected my fitness routine. It definitely made me regret any day I could have squeezed in an extra workout and didn’t. 

Goals:

1. Crossfit: average 3x per week
2. Lunchtime gym: average 2x per week
3. Run: 1 mile per week
4. Stretch: average 3x per week

If you’re into maths like me then:
3x a week on average equates to at least 156/year, 39/quarter, and 13/month.
2x a week on average equates to at least 104/year, 26/quarter, and 8-9/month

Outcome:

1. Crossfit: 24x
2. Lunchtime gym: 29x
3. Run: 12.08 miles
4. Stretch: 29x

I was only able to meet the lunchtime gym goal. Definitely disappointed in myself because I really want to stay on top of my game health wise. I was so close on the run goal and off by 10 on crossfit and stretching. But, it’s a new quarter, I’m refocused and ready to crush this goal. You might be asking: how am I managing to continue crossfitting during the pandemic? Well, I am lucky enough to have equipment at home I can use and super lucky to have a gym owner who has continued to create workouts in 3 options: those without equipment, those with some, and those with full. It’s definitely different trying to push yourself alone in your basement or yard, but I’ve been doing it and I’ve been sore, so I know the workouts are working! 

Unfortunately, lunchtime gym is off the table for the time being. I still sometimes workout during my lunch break, but it doesn’t really count. I miss teaching spin and going to yoga. Hopefully, I can resume in a couple months when everything starts to open back up and I am back in the office. 

I’m hoping I can make up the averages! 

Family Goals 

This is not going too poorly. Although, with the uncertainty around March, we did not get our child-free date night, and probably won’t until the pandemic crisis is over. 

We had 2 child-free date nights
January: 29th birthday party for a friend
February: Valentine’s date at Little Donkey in Cambridge, MA. Incredible food, highly recommend.

Family outings:
January: a trip to Bog Iron Brewery in Norton, MA to show off our little one
February: “playdate” with our friends and their 11-month old babe. We met at Lost Shoe Brewery in Marlborough, MA and had lunch at their home. 
March: Walked the bike path by our house, just the 3 of us 🙂

Outings are looking a little different now that we can’t really go anywhere. Many of the parks are even closed, and with nice weather approaching, it is unfortunate timing. As for child-free date nights… We bought scrabble and a puzzle so we can disconnect from our phones and do something thoughtful and entertaining as a couple. I’m sure we will make up for lost time after the pandemic as our parents will likely want to spend time with their granddaughter!

Personal Goals

Time for myself? What is that? I apparently thought I would have so much time and not take naps on the train! Ha. So wrong. 

Accomplished and On Track
Book reading
Outcome: 2 books read in January!

1. “Scrappy Little Nobody” by Anna Kendrick 
   • This book was such a fun read, I love Anna Kendrick, she makes me happy 🙂
2. “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” by Iain Reid
   • Such a good psychological thriller, I think I read this in under a week! 

Missed the Timeframe & Outstanding:
Crafting
Finish 2 started knitting projects 1 by January 31, 2020 and 1 by February 28, 2020. 

Outstanding/Ongoing

• Stretch goal: knit 3 baby blankets. One of my SILs is pregnant and 2 of my friends are. That’s 3 preggos! 2 are due in June and one is due in May. Obviously my SIL takes priority and she is one of the 2 due in June. 
• Super stretch goal: knit an adult sized blanket for my SIL (my husband’s sister) to gift her at Christmas.

The book goal is great! I’m loving reading again. One of my friends sent me a book she thought I would like which I’m currently reading! SUper thoughtful. However, I have no idea what I was thinking with the knitting goals. Overambitious doesn’t even cover it. I still hope to get blankets out to my SILs though, but first to finish: my projects! 

Almost a month into this quarter, so hopefully I’ve implemented improvements. The extra time at home is serving my personal goals well! I’m hoping this is the jump-start I need to get back on track. I still plan to fulfill anything I can in the missed timeframe category. I’m also doing my best to cherish this time with my little family and find happiness in the simple pleasures at home. 

I should add a goal of getting these updates out more timely too 😉

I hope your goals are going well! Remember, it’s okay to have to adjust them during this time. Q1 is a trial, we still have most of 2020 left! Let’s aim for the best. 

Leave any updates for me or questions in the comments!