2021 Goals: Q1 Update

One quarter down and 3 to go! So excited to post my Q1 update for my 2021 goals. These posts are my favorite to write, between the accountability and tracking the progress it’s both eye-opening and rewarding. The updates also show me where I need to make changes to achieve goals.

Read my 2021 Goals here.

How’s it going? The 1st quarter yielded some serious progress for me and my goals. I’m beyond pleased with the outcomes so far. I’m going to update the status and any pitfalls I’ve experienced. Keep reading to get the full scope!

As always, I take the SMART goal approach. 

What are SMART goals? Read my post for setting SMART goals here.

SMART is an acronym for:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable/Attainable
Relevant
Time-based

Here’s a quick run down:
S – the more specific the goal the better. 
M – Quantify your goal.
Achievable/Attainable – be honest with yourself. You don’t have to accomplish every goal, but you should be at least close.
R – Choose something closely related to your ideals and appropriate at this time in life. 
T – A deadline! Pick an actual date in the future on the calendar. 

My goals encompass the following: business, finance, health, family, and personal. 

Business Goals

My only goal in this category is to create a “side-hustle” with the help of this blog.

Status: In progress.
I have added ads, affiliate links, and a printable store. So far there are no funds worthy of mention, but these have just been added very recently; the ads for about a month and the links and store about a week. I am 1 month away from completing my blog course, and it has helped immensely.  
Deadline: 6/1/2021 – Giving myself a bit of leeway here to polish up all the loose ends

Finance Goals

1. Payoff my Citizens Bank credit card. This card was roughly $7,000 by the time we paid it off. It was paid using our tax refund. It has remained at a zero-balance since early March!
   Status: Complete!
   Deadline: 6/1/2021

2. Make additional payments to the car loan. The new babe is making his debut very soon (about 5 more weeks)! Unfortunately, we have found ourselves with a high American Express balance which we need to prioritize over the car. We like to use it for groceries and gas and pay it off weekly, but we have slipped up and need to get it under control again. 
   Status: Not started, but still on track
   Deadline: Start additional payments no later than 6/1/2021

Health Goals

I still love the gym and want to make it top priority for the year. 

1. Crossfit on average 2x per week. I have dropped this from 3x in 2020 to 2x in 2021 to make up for my pregnancy time and recovery.
   Status: Ahead – 38 days this quarter!

2. Stretch on average 3x per week (yoga counts!). 
   Status: Ahead – 55 days of stretching!! 
   I do a lot of stretching at night while playing with my daughter, I try to get her to do some with me, she loves the “happy baby” yoga pose 🙂

Math breakdown for these goals:
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.

Family Goals

This goal went so well in 2020 and was the one goal I fully accomplished, so I’m going to keep it the same 🙂

1. 1 date night a month – childfree 
   Status: On track, 3 dates

January – Pottery Barn Outlet and Lunch. We did not get anything at the outlet unfortunately. However, I recommend if you are looking for living room or kitchen seating.
February – Valentine’s Day dinner with our friends Josh and Cortney. Dinner from Ghost King Thai and dessert from Bova’s Bakery. Check out Josh’s YouTube Channel of hot sauce reviews here.
March – Dinner outing to Trattoria della Nonna *chef’s kiss*

2. 1 family event/outing per month 
   Status: Ahead, 4

January – Playdate with another couple with a 1 year-old
February – My SIL’s (Faye’s godmother’s) birthday celebration at my parents house. All siblings and their families were there, so fun to see everyone <3
March – Playdate with the same fam and Easter! We had dinner, played with chalk, and went on the swing for our little family Easter celebration.

Personal Goals

Really downsized from last year’s epic fail. Only 2 in this category.  

1. Finish both started knitting projects
   Status: On track, slight progress on the blanket
   Deadline: End of year

2. Read at least 3 books 
   Status: On track, but I have finished exactly 0 books
   Deadline: End of year. Would have been 1 every 4 months, but now it’s 1 every 3 months, also depending on how long it takes me to read each one. 

So far I am faring MUCH better than 2020 (but, aren’t we all, amirite?). Business is still a work-in-progress, but I am making progress, right? Guys…? 😉 Finance is a bit derailed, but there is still time to make it happen. Crushing my Health related goals, but we’ll see what the last 5 weeks or so of pregnancy and recovery does to this one. Family goals, right on track! Personal goals, well, not fantastic TBH. Maybe my upcoming maternity leave from work will help me with those 2 goals. 

Here’s a tidy list of all goals:

1. Business Goals
   • Enhance blog and generate passive income
2. Finance Goals
   • Pay off remaining credit card debt
   • Make extra payments to car loan
3. Health Goals
   • Crossfit average 2x per week
   • Stretch average 3x per week
4. Family Goals
   • 1 child-free date night with the hubs monthly
   • 1 family outing monthly
5. Personal Goals
   • Read
   • Knit

If you made 2021 goals, or monthly goals, how is it going? Manageable or mayhem? Still so much year left to make up for any lost time and refocus! 

If you need any encouragement I’m only an email away in the contact form!