In case it’s not clear, I like having plans and goals. The blog is a great way to hold myself accountable. Whether it’s home goals or the One Room Challenge, saying publicly, “I’m going to do something” gives me extra motivation to follow through.
(BTW, if productivity, discipline, focus and motivation are among your goals for 2024, this podcast has some good tips.)
Tracking progress is also motivating. As I was setting new home goals for 2024 and looking back at how I did in 2023, I started thinking about some other things I tracked last year. So in the spirit of motivation and accountability, I’m going to share them here.
Walking
Hiking with Cigo is one of my favourite things to do. Last year, we hiked 466.3km. (I use the Map My Walk app.) This is about 39km a month. I’d like to see if we can make it 42km a month this year (the distance of a marathon). To be honest, we’re probably already there, as I don’t track walks we do around the farm or hikes with Ellie. But I’ll continue to skip those and try to find an extra 3km in my month. Hiking is pretty much my only exercise (aside from working around the farm), so increasing this would not be a bad thing.
Monkey Bars
I have one “workout” that I added to my routine last summer. The route I walk on Sundays includes a small set of monkey bars. So since the summer (after hearing on the 1,000 Hours Outside podcast about the benefits of different types of movement and hanging), I have been trying to do the monkey bars. At first, I fell off every time. But by December, I made it to the end–eight monkey bars. Yesterday, I turned around and did them twice. What else should I try? A chin up?
Reading
Last year I tracked the books I read for the first time. Reading is a huge part of my life (and I’m still a paper-reading, library-visiting bibliophile). In 2023, I read 63 books (plus 2 that I didn’t finish). Finishing Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series accounted for a 13 of those books. Another 15 were non-fiction. To Speak For The Trees by Diana Beresford-Kroeger (please consider reading any of her books–she is amazing on nature and climate change) and Outlive by Peter Attia were standouts. I’m hoping I’ll make it to 50 books in 2024.
1,000 Hours Outside
This will be our fourth year doing the 1,000 Hours Outside challenge. I love this movement and have come to believe strongly in the value of free play, unstructured time, and time outside. Last year, we spent 1,108 hours outside and made it to 1,000 on Nov. 3. I’m curious how we’ll do this year. This is a challenge that even when you lose, you win.
Family Albums
I started making a yearly family photobook when Ellie was born, but I’ve missed a few years. I recently made our 2023 album, and it’s so lovely to have all of those memories in one convenient place. (I use Blurb.) I’m motivated to go back and make the missing books.
Rest
My word of the year. Rest is truly a challenge for me. My goal in January (and continuing) was to be in bed around 11 two nights a week. Coming up with a strategy (finish work at 10, take Cigo out, brush teeth, read for a few minutes to try to turn off my brain) and a target (2 nights a week) is very helpful. I also instituted a rule that I can’t start anything new after 11, so on those nights I don’t shut down by 11, I’m trying to be not too many hours beyond it. I’ve also started plugging my phone in to charge in the mudroom by 10, which helps to remove one source of distraction and delay. So far I’m doing not too bad. I also downloaded a habit tracking sheet from Passion Planner so I can note the nights that I achieve my goal.
Speaking of Passion Planner, it is a really good goal setting, task prioritizing tool. I’ve used this planner for more than 5 years. I also tried “time boxing” recently, a technique recommended by Nir Eyal on the podcast I mentioned above, and it’s helped me to plan my time and feel more focused.
Writing this post, I found it interesting that so many of my goals are about well-being. Making good use of my time, getting outside, spending time together, relaxing, being healthier, and holding onto memories are all part of the overall quality of our life. It’s worthwhile to spend some time thinking–and writing–about them.
Home on 129 Acres 
You are rocking those goals!! I’m of the rebel tendency (according to Gretchen Rubin’s four tendencies framework) which means that I tend to have more success when I set generalized intentions or move certain things from list to list to list without really worrying about them. If I declare them as goals and start making plans as to when I should do them, that’s the surest way for me to leave them by the wayside! But when I put things on the backburner and let the main part of my brain just rollick along, that backburner part of my brain will often get around to those things when I’m not looking. (This may be part adhd too…) Sometimes I’m surprised when I go back and look at an old list, just how many things I can cross off! But I have to not think about it in between.
Your health goals are fabulous. You can call them “quality of life goals” as well, because I have no doubt they really do improve it. We’ve been listening to the audiobook of Outlive. I’m open to the idea that some generalized intentions may form as I hear more of the specifics in the book. We’re still on the general part. I appreciate the recommendation – it’s really good so far.
It’s so interesting to me how people are so different. (This is something that comes up in Outlive too). I’m glad that you have found what works for you… and that you’re enjoying the book too!
Good morning Julia,
You have an impressive track record in all of your activities.
I don’t really track anything but do have some regular weekly routines that I try to maintain. Twice a week I do a senior’s cardio/stretch/balance one hour class. On the other days of the week I do my best to get out for a 30 minute walk. I’m not as an avid reader as I’d like to be although I’m working on that. Two books that were recommended to me by a friends was ‘Dear Edward’ and ‘Hello Beautiful’ by Ann Napolitano. I’ve finished reading ‘Dear Edward’ and really enjoyed it. I’m next in line at the library for ‘Hello Beautiful’. I’m hoping it will be ready for pick up to take to Mexico on Feb. 26th.
I make a ‘rough’ planner for the upcoming week with tasks that I tend to put off.
Yesterday I cleaned the glass shelves and ornaments in the curio cabinet.
This weekend my goal is to defrost a small freezer that resides in the kitchen. I aim to do this when the weather is cold in putting items into a laundry basket out on the deck while cleaning the appliance.
I thought of Audrey yesterday, being it would have been her birthday. I’m thankful we were together this time last year, along with Steve, having a lovely time celebrating her special day.
Continued enjoyment on your goals, targets and tracking.
Have a wonderful day !
Pam
Thanks for your encouragement as always, Pam. It sounds like you have a good routine that works for you. Thank you as well for acknowledging Audrey’s birthday.