2016 Annual Goals: How'd it Go?

I thought a lot about what I wanted to accomplish and bring into my life this year. My top priorities were: Art, Music, and seeing more of the East Coast, as well as to be in more Green Space. In that way - I count this year a complete success! There were a few struggles along the way, but all in all - I feel like I figured how I wanted to spend this year - and did it extremely well.


1) Make Art 

Goal: I wanted to use more creativity and tap into more creative thinking. 
Parameters: Do something creative at least once a month.

So, How'd Art Go?
Success! It went well. I took an art class at the end of the year - that really makes this feel like it culminated in success. It was actually really hard at the beginning of the year, and I'm a little afraid I might fall out of the habit really easily. But this goal - helped me go the extra creative mile. Creating (no matter how badly) really grounds me. I'm now a member at my local art supply store - which has free Saturday classes. Something to consider for next year.

See my post about my art class experience!

2) See More East Coast 
Goal: After living here over 3 years, I wanted to ensure I saw more of the East Coast.
Parameters: At least 1 East Coast Trip per quarter, get back to NYC at least once, and see at least 3 new local sights

So, How'd Seeing The East Coast Go?
Success! It went so well! I went to Maine/Boston, NYC, Charlottesville, Indiana, and Philadelphia. Locally I finally made it to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Dumbarton Oaks, and Great Falls. Woohoo!!

3) Go see Art 

Goal: I wanted to embrace the art around me more while I am here and have the chance!
Parameters: Going to museums more often, go see live music (symphony, jazz, any thing), plays, etc. I actually set up a check list of places/types of art I wanted to be sure to hit/

So, How'd Seeing Art Go? 

Success! I ended up getting a symphony ticket package (3 for $39!!), saw jazz in the park, went to more than 1 play, went to the opera, saw Misty Copeland in the ballet version of Romeo and Juliet, went to various events at Sixth and I, and author talks at Politics & Prose!

4) Adventure & Green Space 
Goal: I wanted to face some fears this year and cross some things off my 40 before 40 list!
Parameters: Try 2-3 new things. And get to parks/forests/green space at least onc

 







So, How'd Adventuring & Green Space Go? 
Success! I made it green space every month and went zip lining for the first time! I also learned how to shoot a gun for the first time - finally. It wasn't quite as much adventure as I'd hoped - but I met my goal.

 

 5) Read & Ride
Goal: I wanted to continue pushing my comfort zone with reading and riding. With reading I particularly was concerned about not continuing reading non fiction and just going back to novels - so I made sure to include them.


Parameters: My original reading goal was 8 classics and 4 non fiction. Part way through the year I decided non fiction should actually be a 40 before 40 goal and I would need to increase to at least 6 non fictions. And originally I had a goal to do at least a partial century ride.

So, How'd Reading and Riding Go?

A mixed success. I decided part way through the year I wasn't going to pursue the riding this year.

As far as growing in my reading habits and pushing out of my reading comfort zone - Success! I added the goal of 40 non-fictions to my 40 Before 40 because I've found it so valuable, and am on my way. I had hoped to read 6-8 NF as well as 8 classics. I ended up reading all 8 classics (some short ones to make it work) and 6 non-fiction.

2016 Goals: 5 months in

Five months in. A little late for a check in about annual goals, but it's been a busy year. Definitely in a good way. Lots of visitors this year which means lots of chances to get out of the every day routine!



1) Make Art 

Do something creative at least once a month.   

Paint Nights, water coloring, crafting, photography, writing, knitting

Progress to Date: Not bad. I have done some writing and a paint night and some knitting! I'm working towards doing some painting or drawing at home and dreaming of a fancy camera to get back to photography. I have done something at least once a month, so I'm getting back on track!

Philadelphia, PA

2) See More East Coast 

Take at least 1 East Coast trip per quarter - day trips, overnights, longer. 

Go to NYC at least once, go to at least one new state on the East Coast, see more local sights. 

Progress to Date: Good! I have been to Philadelphia and Charlottesville so far. I have trip to NYC planned this summer (July) and to Indiana later this month!



3) Go see Art 

Degas at Musee D'Orsay

Going to museums more often, go see live music (symphony, jazz, any thing), plays, etc.

Reykjavik Symphony Hall

Progress to Date: Success! The National Symphony Orchestra had a deal to buy 3 symphony tickets for $39 if you buy early, an amazing deal! I already want to buy more next year if they do the deal again. It has been fabulous! I've also been to a couple plays, Sixth & I for an author talk and have tickets to the ballet this summer! On track to keep this up and so happy about it. But must make it to some museums. Must.





4) Adventure & Green Space 

Versailles, France

Try at least 2 or 3 adventures this year. Face some fears this year. What list, you wonder? Zip lining, rafting, salsa dancing, boxing, martial arts.   

Get out to parks, forests, whatever green space I can find. At least once a month!

Dumbarton Oaks Garden, Washington DC

Progress to Date: Not bad! I have been making it out to green space more and more, and with the weather improving, I think this will be much easier to accomplish. I am determined to do some local hiking this year.














5) Read & Ride
Reading: Read at least 4 nonfiction books this year. In addition to reading 8 classics (trying to keep on track with those 40 classics).
Riding:  Complete a partial or complete century ride.

Progress to Date: Um.... This seems to truly be at the bottom of my list. I haven't read any nonfiction this year but do have a stack waiting for me to start soon. I haven't taken my bike out at all this year. Oops. Better get cracking on this a little bit better.

Tudor House, Washington DC

2016: Here We Go!

I've thought a lot about what I want to accomplish or bring into my life in the next year. Mostly it boils down to Art, Music, and Green Space.

1) Make Art 

• Why? I'd like to use more creativity; I'd like to be more creative. 

• How? 
• Do something creative at least once a month.   
• Paint Nights, water coloring, crafting, photography, writing, knitting.

 


2) See More East Coast 

• Why? I've lived here for 3 years and haven't made it to a lot of the East Coast - not to New England at all! I don' know how long I'm going to be staying out here, and would like to do better at seeing more of this side of the country.

• How?  
• Take at least 1 East Coast trip per quarter - day trips, overnights, longer. 
• Go to NYC at least once, go to at least one new state on the East Coast, see more local sights. 

3) Go see Art 

• Why?  I live in an amazing town filled with free art, and full of urban opportunities that I should be embracing better.

• How? 
• Going to museums more often, go see live music (symphony, jazz, any thing), plays, etc.

4) Adventure & Green Space 

• Why? I want to get started facing some of the adventuring on my 40 before 40 list!

• How?  
• Try at least 2 or 3 adventures this year. Face some fears this year. What list, you wonder? Zip lining, rafting, salsa dancing, boxing, martial arts.   
• Get out to parks, forests, whatever green space I can find. At least once a month!

5) Read & Ride

• Why? 
• Reading: I want to continue to push my reading boundaries. I really enjoyed reading more nonfiction and am afraid without another goal this year, I might get distracted by other books (there are so many good ones), so a new goal. 
• Riding: I want to continue pushing myself to get on the bike. I'd like to try a century ride at some point - maybe this year, maybe later. But I'd least like to do another partial century. I'd like to learn to ride faster and better. 

• How?
• Reading: Read at least 4 nonfiction books this year. In addition to reading 8 classics (trying to keep on track with those 40 classics).
• Riding:  Complete a partial or complete century ride. 

2015 Goals in Review

So ... How'd I do this year?

Not bad! If I do say so myself. I did not check every box of my goals, but as goals became accomplishments, I knew this year was a success. I started adding in things that had felt missing in my life. It has felt good. That's an understatement. It has felt like the ground has shifted below me. that I'm on an all new path. I am.

Let's see how this year has shaken out.

It started with a trip to Arizona and included trips to 15 states, had lots of lectures and speaking events, a ton of reading, and a whole lot more. 
  
2015 Goals Completed

1. Reading 

2015 Goal:

• Classics (6 classics) 
• History/Biographies (3-4) 
• Modern Nonfiction type books (3-4)
• Best Sellers/Fun (3-4) - This is the easy category so I am not reading all heavy/thinking required books.

UPDATE: Completed!!

2. Biking 
2015 Goals include a couple of bike classes, and a partial and full century ride + a spin goal.

• Maintenance Class or Fix a flat class (learn about my bike) 
• Go on a couple more group rides 
• Partial Century
• Complete a Century Ride (this may be a long shot this year, but I want to try)  
• Reach 500 Energy "points" in spin

UPDATE : Partially Completed! I didn't make it to a bike class (shame on me!) and didn't complete a full century ... yet. Hopefully next year, we'll see.

3. Travel 

Goals include day trips, a new state, and a girls weekend. 

•  
• Weekend trip with friends 
• At least 1 new state
• More day trips out of town

UPDATE: Completed! I have been to Arizona, Michigan, California, and Illinois to see family; South Carolina to see a family friend;  California, Utah, Georgia, and Colorado for work (squeezing in some friend time along the way where possible). I have been to Vegas, NYC, and Iowa. And home sweet Oregon and Washington. I've taken day trips to Annapolis, Baltimore and Lancaster County (Dutch/Amish Country!), and the Calvert Cliffs. 

New states: AZ, GA, and SC!

4.  Culture  

Goals:

• Kennedy Center free events - at least 4 events this year 
• See a play - at least 1
• Go to lectures or talks - at least 3
• Check at a new museum or local sites - at least 3 this year 

UPDATE: Complete! The spirit of this goal was completed, if not every aspect, so I feel fabulous about this. I have been to a few free Kennedy Center events and  a musical and opera, multiple lectures, a play at the Wooly Mammoth,  a concert at Merriweather,  saw Cheryl Strayed, and made it to two new museums: the Postal Museum with Polly and the Freer with Katharine. I made it to 3 new museums (Freer, Postal, and the Met). I also made it to the NYC Public Library and an art show at the Brooklyn Public Library, and Alcatraz which is museum like. I went to the Korean War Memorial.

5. Career 
Goals include: applying for the local Bar association, Joining a networking group or association, and getting Business Cards.

• Apply for a new Bar association (local)
• Join a networking group or association  
• Get Business Cards 

UPDATE: Incomplete! This one has been the trickiest. I've been on a roller coaster of plans for my career. I definitely decided I was going to leave DC - so skipped the whole DC Bar thing. Now, it's the end of the year, and I think I'm going to stay for awhile longer. Who knows. I really should just get that done. Maybe?

6.  Spiritual Upkeep
Goals include Journaling - at least twice per month, and going to Church at least twice per quarter.

• Journal - at least twice per month
• Church - at least twice per quarter

UPDATE: Completed! Barely, but made it. The journaling is what I'm taking away from this year. It's been just what I need to vent and sort through things. Church: I'm glad that I pursued this goal, but I haven't found a church home just yet. I just went to a new one on Christmas Eve that I'm sure I'll go to more often in the new year. Maybe there's hope yet. I realized, what I really want is a community - and think I may pursue that in other ways next year.

2015 Goals Update - 4 Months in

1. Reading 

Goal: Total books: 12-15 (at least 1 per month).

UPDATE: So far, I have read 7 books (3 classics, 1 modern non-fiction, and 2 best sellers, 1 history), next up another classic. Breathing a sigh of relief, as I only have 3 more classics to read this year! I'm currently enjoying reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

2. Biking 
Goals include a couple of bike classes, and a partial and full century ride + a spin goal.

UPDATE : So far, I have only reached my spin goal. The temperatures are warm again and I intend to put air in my tire this weekend.
GOAL UPDATE: I have decided not to attempt a century ride this year. It will take too much time to train for along with my other goals that I would prefer take priority. I am looking forward to trying a partial century in the Fall.

3. Travel 

Goals include day trips, a new state, and a girls weekend. 

UPDATE: I have been to Peoria, Ill to see family and have new day trips planned for May along with a trip home.  I'm looking at a weekend trip down South for my birthday! I have also decided to rent a car at least once a month to see more sights locally! Looking at Great Falls, Calvert Cliffs, Lancaster County, and so many others. Can't wait.

4.  Culture 
Goals include more Kennedy Center events (at least 4), a play, lectures and new museums.

UPDATE:  I have been to a Kennedy Center event, and 4 lectures, and a play (Lights on Grace - an outstanding play shown at the Wooly Mammoth. Cheryl Strayed was a phenomenal speaker, and it was an inspirational and moving experience listening to her speak about her experiences hiking as well as her post-hike/writing career.

In the works: going to a museum in a couple weeks with a friend! Have plans to attend a musical and concert in June. Feeling good about filling up on culture.

Still need to plan: embassy and Smithsonian events.

5. Career 
Goals include: applying for the local Bar association, Joining a networking group or association, and getting Business Cards.

UPDATE: I have received business cards! I went to a networking event, and am strategizing next steps.

6.  Spiritual Upkeep
Goals include Journaling - at least twice per month, and going to Church at least twice per quarter.

UPDATE: I'm doing better! I made it to church for Palm Sunday and it was perfect. Connected, sense of community, and then out the door! Loved it. Also caught up on my journaling and it was incredibly helpful.

2015 Goals Update -2 months in

1. Reading 

Goal: Total books: 12-15 (at least 1 per month).

UPDATE: So far, I have read 1 Modern non-fiction (Wild by Cheryl Strayed), and 2 classics: Dune & Slaughterhouse 5. I am currently reading my third classic, Sound & Fury.  I am on track!

2. Biking 

Goals include a couple of bike classes, and a partial and full century ride + a spin goal.

UPDATE : While I wait for the roads to thaw, I have been continuing to spin - reaching my spin goal of 500 Energy points for the year!

3. Travel 

Goals include day trips, a new state, and a girls weekend. 

UPDATE: I have been out wine tasting with girlfriends, been on an overnight trip to Baltimore with Nora, and ... been to the Grand Canyon - which was on my 40 by 40 list AND is a new state! What?! That's right. basically, rocking it. And it's only 2 months in to 2015.

4.  Culture 
Goals include more Kennedy Center events (at least 4), a play, lectures and new museums.

UPDATE:  I have been to a Kennedy Center event, and a lecture - with two more lectures set for this upcoming week (Cheryl Strayed and another Sixth & I event!). I need to plan some more museum visits and find a play. Plenty of time left this year to reach these goals!


5. Career 

Goals include: applying for the local Bar association, Joining a networking group or association, and getting Business Cards.

UPDATE: I have ordered business cards! They weren't sent out because of a glitch apparently (I just got email notification today), but will be arriving sometime in the next weeks. It's a start.


6.  Spiritual Upkeep

Goals include Journaling - at least twice per month, and going to Church at least twice per quarter.

UPDATE: I'm struggling here. I journaled twice in Janaury... and went to church in January. It was fabulous. And dropped the ball in February! I have decided to journal at least four times in March and make it to church at least once. 

2015 Bike Goal Achieved! (Spin goal)

It's only January and I have already met one of my goals for biking! This was the only goal I have for spinning. I'll take it!

My spin studio (Ride DC) calculates metrics tied to each bike for each rider and it's posted in real time during class, then details of your performance are sent to your email after class, and they are tracked on your individual profile on the website. It sounds intense - and maybe it is. But it's completely motivating!

I'm regularly the bottom of the class.  On a good day I'm in middle of the class. And that's okay with me! I'm mostly in competition with myself. And I'm kicking my own ass. 

The summary category is: Total Energy. For each class - starting around last May - I had a goal of reaching 300 "points" in the Total Energy category in each class. Then I started aiming for 325, then 350, then 400, etc. It ebbs and flows and there are strong times and less strong times.

Last January (2014) - the first class that they still have on file for me, my total energy was 227.
My goal for 2015 was to reach 500 in a 45 minute class.

Last January 2014:

At the end of 2014 I was in a low period. Ranging from 315 to 375 per class. So it seemed like 500 would be a big challenge for the year. Today I got 520!!

This Friday (January 2015):

Woot woot!!!

Happy 2015!! Goals, set.

There's a part of me that hasn't fully realized that it's 2015!! But it's here and will take off without me if I don't get on board. So time to get focused and start working on those goals! 

2015: I have 6 Goals that I'm striving to work on this year. As I've said before, I do not believe in resolutions. But I do believe in Goal Setting and working to improve myself.  So this year I have a 6 categories of areas in my life that I think I can improve if I work hard and stay focused.

1. Reading 

•  Total books: 12 (1 per month). I'm giving myself some flexibility with this because reading the classics is going to be my priority. I'd like to read at least two books from each category, but ideally following the number goal for each category set out below:

• Classics (6 classics) 
• History/Biographies (3-4) 
• Modern Nonfiction type books (3-4)
• Best Sellers/Fun (3-4) - This is the easy category so I am not reading all heavy/thinking required books. 

2. Biking 

• Maintenance Class or Fix a flat class (learn about my bike) 
• Go on a couple more group rides 
• Partial Century
• Complete a Century Ride (this may be a long shot this year, but I want to try)  
• Reach 500 Energy "points" in spin

3. Travel 

• Weekend trip with friends 
• At least 1 new state (already planned: Arizona) 
• More day trips out of town

 
4.  Culture 

• Kennedy Center free events - at least 4 events this year 
• See a play - at least 1
• Go to lectures or talks - at least 3
• Check at a new museum or local sites - at least 3 this year  

 
5. Career 

• Apply for a new Bar association (local)
• Join a networking group or association  
• Get Business Cards 

6.  Spiritual Upkeep

• Journal - at least twice per month
• Church - at least twice per quarter