I don’t set New Year’s Resolutions as a general rule. But I do like to assess and do some goal setting. Not just at the new year, but in general. I have been thinking though and I would like to set out a few things that I’m planning on taking action on in 2018. Maybe you will relate and join me in setting out an action plan for yourself.
1. Cook more. I love to cook. But as my travel and work commitments have intensified over the past year, my eating has gotten extremely lazy. Too much ordering out and not enough homemade meals. I feel better when I cook at home and it saves money too. My action plan for this to to get back in the habit of making one or two larger meals over the weekend that can serve as lunch and dinner during the week. I might try to do this by cooking through one of the awesome cookbooks I got over the past year. Read more of my cookbook recommendations here.
2. Find a church home. Many of you know that church is extremely important to me. For a number of different reasons, I’m in a season where I am being led to find a new church home. This is basically like dating and I’m way out of practice. It feels weird to “church shop” but that’s basically what I’m doing now. I may have found a new one, but I wait to be certain.
3. Build up smartly to marathon training. This was will be pretty easy because I’ve hired a coach! I am thrilled to be working with my friend and superstar professional athlete, Becki Spellman. Becki is the real deal but I chose to work with her because I connect with her on a personal level. We’ve been friends for over a year and she never tried to sell me on her services even though it’s clear a coach would be helpful with my frequently changing travel schedule. Anyway, I’m thrilled to work with Becki and have confidence she can help me get across the sub-4 barrier.
4. Eliminate consumer debt. I have a couple of lingering credit cards that I want to have paid off by the end of the year. I have a plan for this and I’m excited to put it into action. I will be paying my law school loans for awhile, but consumer debt I can get rid of.
That’s it. Of course, that is not IT. I will be focusing on a number of different things next year but these are a few of the action items that I’ll be taking.
What about you? Any action items on your list for 2018?
I was working on my 2018 post earlier this year and we have a couple of the same goals!! Im embarking on a no-spend year and starting the total money makeover. I also want to cook way more!!! How do you plan to update us with your progress and how often? 🙂
Great question. I know I won’t do monthly updates – but maybe quarterly? I think that’s enough frequency and enough time to actually get some of this stuff done. If you don’t have the cooking for two cookbook in the post I linked to, I highly recommend it. It’s fantastic and because it’s America’s Test Kitchen has tons of fantastic tips as well!
I believe you will achieve all those goals and more my friend!
Thanks Colleen – I hope to see you soon!
Looks like a great action plan to me! I’m still wrapping up 2017, but will have goals (maybe) after the new year.
I bet you already have some goals, lady. You are one of the most motivated people I know!
That’s awesome that you hired a running coach. It’s even better when your coach is your friend!
I’ve also been searching for a church home for about a year now. It can be a little frustrating but hopefully we can both find church homes in 2018!
I think I may have found a new church! I’m very excited. It’s like dating, lol.
Looks like a great plan – looking forward to following along for 2018. Yes to #4 – I can’t wait to be done with my grad school loans (2ish years to go 🙂 ) See you soon!
Two years is nothing!!! That’s so awesome. Mine will be around for a little bit longer than that, lol. 🙂
I like your goals. We are also working on paying off debt, but ours are car payments and student loans. Clay and I decided once the loans are paid off we’re going out for a nice dinner to celebrate too. I feel like paying off ANY debt motivates you to pay more toward other debts so paying off your cards will probably help with the loans too!
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I just laid out a plan to pay my car off (purchased Feb 2017) by June 2019, which makes me feel awesome. Consumer debt will be totally gone by then – credit card by Dec 2018 and then car by June 2019. The loans will take me longer, but I’m okay with that!
Great plan. My travel & work has gotten me lazy about cooking. But I don’t see it changing. At least when I am home, I try to cook healthy.
Finances are always a struggle but I try to take advantage of frequent flyer miles for flying to races and if possible say with friends or share hotel rooms. Those races do put a dent in one’s budget.
I hesitate about the coach thing because I don’t think I have the time to do what needs to be done to be a better runner. It would be a waste of money for me.
Have a great 2018!!!
Yes re: travel and work. I already have three trips for January, ranging from one night to almost a week. It makes it hard to get into a routine for cooking but I really do need to take advantage of my weekends and get back to making one or two big meals over the weekend. Happy New Year!
Those sound like great yearly goals to aspire to. I love cooking and find it so relaxing.
I like to cook as well but with work and my travel schedule it has become a challenge! Happy 2018!
I love that you’re calling it an action plan! That definitely makes it sound like a work in progress. I really want to work on cooking more in 2018 too. I look forward to hearing what you think of working with a coach 🙂
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SUPER excited about having a coach. I think it’s going to be awesome. You must be so excited for WDW to be so close!
I love this! Might have to use the same idea, so as always, thank you for the motivation! Here’s to the best year yet!
Thanks friend! Happy New Year! 🙂
Ugh, church shopping can be tough; I did it for quite some time before settling in at my current spot. It seems like you have a promising prospect, though, so I hope it works out for you! I’m super excited about this “official” announcement that you and Becki will be working together; I remember you saying that, if you ever decided to go with a coach, she would be your choice. She is so great! I’ve always been a cook at home gal; I can only imagine how tough it would be though, with your schedule. It sounds like you’re on the right track! You have an exciting year ahead!!
Thanks Tara! Yes, it is the travel that causes it to get hairy sometimes. When I’m gone a lot, it’s hard to keep the fridge stocked and that just causes problems / laziness lol. I’m excited about 2018 as well!
Love these! Shopping for a church home is tough, but so important. The Mr. and I are starting Dave Ramsey’s plan in January. We aren’t following it to a t, but really hope to make some huge milestones. Best of luck with everything!!
Love Dave Ramsey. I have done financial peace and his book continues to guide me. Good luck with his plan! 🙂
So cool that you are going to be working with Becki!
My action plan for 2018 includes rebuilding my engine and strength to get back to running. 🙂
I am so excited for you to kill it in 2018! Good things are coming for you – I know it!
I want to cook more next year as well. Busy working mom life really got the best of me in 2017, and we did more take out, frozen meals, and generally boring meals (because they’re really quick to cook) than I would have liked, and my clothes definitely started feeling tighter. Time to start cooking more and having more leftovers to reach into the fridge for on those really busy days.
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Yep, I hear you. Constant travel made it really challenging. But I’m excited about my plan to cook more. It’s better for me both financially and health-wise!
Those are great things to tackle. Finding a church home is hard. I might need a new one next year …..
As you know, I’ve been visiting Alfred Street and really am enjoying it! It is really hard, though.
My big action items/goals are:
1. Work on my health
2.Broken ankle to Chicago Marathon
3. Reduce credit card/medical debt
Yes – you’ve got this Abby! I hope I’m able to be in Chicago for the marathon in 2018 so I can cheer you on!
That’s exciting that you have a coach that you believe in! Good luck!! I have some goals and ideas that are a bit opposing, but I’d like to run a 50 miler, and I’d also like to get rid of my injuries so I can run pain free. My mind and drive is there, just not sure my body is going to go along with the plan! But I’m going to give it a try and see where it takes me.
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We’ve been church shopping for over a year as well. I hate how hard it is to find a place of worship! I’m so excited to follow your running this year! You’re going to crush your goals!
Great goals! And I also love that you’re calling it an action plan, because that’s what it really is! 🙂 I also love that you kept your list short… I mean, better to focus on a few goals than get lost in a long list!
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Awesome that you’ve found a coach you’re excited to work with!
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