I hope you had a great weekend and enjoyed counting down to midnight and entering 2016!
I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about New Year’s Resolutions by now, and you may already be rolling your eyes and annoyed by all the newbies packed in your local gym!
I actually love starting fresh on January 1, but creating large, broad resolutions is NOT the way to go. Deborah from Confessions of a Mother Runner wrote a great post on why New Year’s Resolutions don’t work that I highly recommend.
How about creating specific goals instead of vague, ambitious resolutions? Starting a new year is a great time to evaluate the previous year and come up with a plan to conquer your biggest goals in various areas of your life. So I thought I’d share with you, like I did in 2014 and 2015, my goals for 2016!
[bctt tweet=”Happy New Year! What are your big goals for 2016? #runchat #sweatpink “]
My Goals for 2016
Running/Fitness
- Be a great race ambassador. I am so proud to have been selected to represent the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run and ZOOMA Races this year. It’s a little scary, but I’m so excited to be able to support these great organizations over the next several months. There are a couple more that I applied for that I’m waiting to see if I made it in…so exciting!
- Make strength training part of my running routine. This has been hard for me to keep up with for so long, so I want 2016 to be the year where I finally make it happen! I do NOT want to deal with any injuries this year, so I need to learn how to do the right workouts on my own. I’ll be sharing my strategy on the blog soon!
- Walk/run 50,000 steps per week. I’ve been loving my FitBit Charge since I got it a few months ago, but my steps are pretty inconsistent, i.e. my running days are great while my non-running days are so low! Now that I’m working in an office setting, it’s really hard to be active, so I want to make sure I’m getting away from the desk as often as possible. 50,000 is the bare minimum that I want to maintain every single week!
- Explore new running routes in the city and local suburbs. I am spoiled that I live right near a popular running trail in Philly, but I need to branch out. I’ve shared some great running trails in Greater Philadelphia, but it’s been so long since I’ve made the trip to any of them! I love running in new places.
- Run a marathon!! This is the big goal for the year. For the first time, I’ll be training for 26.2 miles! Way back in 2012 I was supposed to run the Philly Marathon, but it didn’t happen for various reasons. Now I feel that I’m finally ready to go for it. I will be working with Coach Kristy again and my goal is to finish with a smile on my face.
Nutrition
- Create a meal planning routine and stick with it! The only way I can be consistent is if I create a routine that becomes second nature. I can’t wait for Laura’s 21 Day Reset Challenge to begin on January 11 – this is going to give me the tools I need to finally make this goal happen! (Want in? Join me using code “blog” and get $10 off!)
- Reduce my alcohol consumption. I’m not a heavy drinker by any means, but I know that cutting back would not be a bad thing! The empty calories just aren’t worth it, even though I love a well-made cocktail or local craft beer!
- Lessen the sugary sweets, goodbye Twizzlers! This past year I developed a serious sweet tooth and for the sake of my teeth and my belly, it’s time to stop buying the stuff. There are so many better options and I look forward to trying out healthier snacks!
Career
- Continue to work hard in my project manager role. I am really loving my job and I’m so grateful to have been given this opportunity. I’m hoping to kick butt in 2016 and really make an impact. I know it will be hard work, but it’s the type of work that feels rewarding, not demeaning – I love it!
- Finish my Professional Engineering NCEES Record. At the start of 2015 I was “officially” given my Professional Engineering license. The next step is to create a record so that it’ll be easier to get reciprocity in multiple states. I slacked on this in 2015, so it’s time to get it done in 2016!
- Step up my leadership and networking skills. This is really important to me as I develop in my career. In June, I’ll be entering my 9th(!) year at my company. It sounds bad, but I want people to know who I am and know that I am an asset. And on top of that, I’d like people at work to get to know me better.
Hobbies
- Continue playing softball. I’m so glad that I challenged myself to give softball a try in 2015, and now I plan to play in 2 leagues this spring! I’m really excited because it’s a way that can I bond with Bret and my coworkers. It will definitely fill the void since we have decided to retire from kickball!
- Continue my engagement with NSBE and SWE. That’s the National Society of Black Engineers and Society of Women Engineers. I want to continue to be involved, but I don’t want it to take over my life and become a major source of stress, as I’ve struggled with in the past with NSBE. I’m at the point where I’m okay with just being a volunteer versus running an entire program. They both do great work in the community promoting STEM!
Personal Life
- Buy a home. This is definitely the biggest goal for the year. Bret and I will be buying a house in Philadelphia, most likely out of our current neighborhood. We’ve been going to Open Houses on the weekends for the past couple of months, now we’re at the point where we need to find a realtor. I’m super excited about taking this big step!
- Read 4 books in 2016. I love reading books, but I have to be honest…I never make the time. I know there are people who read more than 4 books in a month but pulling this off would be huge for me. I want to read one fiction, one self-improvement, one biography/autobiography, and one wild card! Any recommendations??
- Treat myself. I need to make more time for myself. Get a massage, spend some quality time alone, get a manicure, go shopping for no reason, practice yoga, meditate. It’s so necessary!
- Maintain a strong relationship with Bret. You guys hear about Bret all the time, and he’s wonderful. We’re going on 4 years together and we’ve been through a lot. I want to make sure that we keep it going, with lots of understanding and open communication. Running and blogging take up a lot of my time, but he’s what’s most important to me.
- Don’t deal with nonsense. Guys, I’m turning 30 this year! Basically, I’m grown, lol. I have dealt with so much drama and childishness over the years and I’m done! I started with this goal in 2015, and I’m going to keep it going. I won’t allow anyone to treat me with disrespect and if I have to purge someone out of my life, so be it. I’ve been a pushover in the past and bit my tongue…no more drama!
Run With No Regrets
- Keep up the momentum from 2015. I ended the year with the biggest monthly page views I’ve ever had (over 7,000), and I’m still in disbelief! I want to keep this place growing and continue to create content that helps and encourages others. It’s been a lot of hard work, but totally worth it!
- Improve my time management. I am so excited that I have the Blog + Life Planner from Wonderlass! If you’re a blogger, you know that there is ALWAYS work to be done and it can be very draining and time-consuming. I want to work smarter, be more efficient, organized, and a little bit less stressed when it comes to blogging! Some of my favorite and most popular posts take a very long time to write so I want to make sure I maintain high-quality posts, even if it means I have to post less frequently.
- Guest post more frequently. In 2015, I wrote a few guest posts for other bloggers and I’m glad that I pushed myself. But I really want to pursue this more often in the new year and give myself enough time to brainstorm and write.
- Build community. If you are a subscriber to the Run With No Regrets newsletter, I want to provide more value to each email you receive in your inbox. I also want to create more free worksheets that will be helpful and motivating for you. I have some other ideas, but will really need your feedback. I’m creating a survey that I hope you’ll check out as soon as it’s ready!
- Stay focused. I think I had too many distractions last year as I was working towards becoming a better blogger. There were so many webinars and emails from various bloggers/entrepreneurs trying to share their “secrets”, and so many articles with conflicting information, especially when it came to social media and list building. I have to remember my goals (as there are a ton more that I didn’t mention!) and stay away from the shiny metal objects and latest “trends”. I will probably unsubscribe to a lot of influencers this year!
What are your biggest goals for 2016? Let’s support each other and help keep each other accountable this year!
Have you read BODYpeace or What You Can When You Can yet?
I haven’t read either of those, but I will check them out, thanks, Cassi!
Great goals! Many of them are similar to mine especially cutting back on the sweet stuff! Best of luck.
Thanks, Ivanna!
Pretty exciting goals! So cool that you will do a 26.2! I am excited to run San Francisco and NYC – this is the 20th anniversary year of my 1st and 2nd marathons in 1996! If I do Los Angeles, these will be my 43rd and 44th marathons and I will catch up to my age 🙂
I am with you on “no more nonsense,” too! I got involved in some in 2015 at work and in life. I am way too old for this!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year and San Francisco and NYC are totally on my bucket list, I hope you have great races – happy anniversary!
Oh and the nonsense…no time for that in 2016!
Lots of great goals. Personally, I’m excited for your home purchase & your professional goals! Love seeing you excel, lady!
Thanks, Courtney! I daydream about the new house almost every day LOL.
Love all of your goals! They are great! I find myself relating to a lot of them like reading more this year and networking more in my career. I look forward to following you and your goal progress this year.
Consider me a cheerleader for your 2016 goals! You got this!
Thanks so much, Shannon! 🙂
Wow, that’s a big list! Sounds like 2016 will be a very busy and exciting year! Happy New Year to you and your family 🙂
Thanks, Michelle! 🙂
I’m doing a happy dance for you on that first marathon, Janelle! So excited you’re taking the leap. Marathons are life changing! I need to be with you on the meal planning and vast reduction of sweets. The struggle is real on those fronts and some weightloss would make me a much better runner. All the best in checking off these goals!
Thanks so much, Marcia! Life-changing? That’s what I’m talking about! Haha. Meal planning is a real challenge, so that one is going require me to really get serious, so I’ve got my fingers crossed!
oh wow you are going to run a marathon? Yay you and I can’t wait to see you crush it! Thanks so much for mentioning my post. I’ve so enjoyed connecting with you this past year and I hope we end up at one of the same races this year so we can meet in person
Thanks, Deborah! I feel the same way and look forward to meeting – Cherry Blossom?
These are all such wonderful, focused goals for each aspect of your life. I am also planning to run my first marathon and most running goals will relate to that, but there’s so much else I want to accomplish with blogging, my volunteer work with the Junior League, my professional life, and then to continue to prioritize personal relationships. It’s all about balance, which I think is my overarching 2016 goal – figure out what the best balance is for me right now!
Thanks, and you’ve got some really awesome goals too. Balance is everything, and it’s tough! But definitely a great theme for the year!
Fantastic goals! You have a lot of great ones, with focus in all areas of your life. Balance is so important and it sounds like you are working hard to ensure that everything gets the right attention.
Good luck with house hunting!
Thanks, Jenn…I try to cover it all and do the best I can!
You’ve got a lot of awesome goals there, girl! 2016 is going to be a great year!
Thanks, Nicole, I’m so looking forward to it!
My goodness you make me feel like a slacker with all of your goals! 🙂 Good for you. I have a podcast that talks about Books & Movies if you ever need ideas!
No no no please don’t feel that way! I will check out your podcast for some book ideas!
Whew, you sure are goal oriented. That #2 about strength training is right on the money. Oft forgotten, it’s one of the components of a successful running program.
I looked back and realized that one of my better 5K’s happened when I was consistently strength training. Gotta get back at it!
These are all awesome goals! Congrats on being selected for the Cherry Blossom blogger!! So exciting!! I’m still working on my goals, they are a work in progress!
Thanks a lot, Sue! My overall blogging goals are set, but there are still some finer details I need to focus on to get organized!
Congrats on the race ambassadorship!!
Thanks, Carmy!
well my biggest goal is my business! but my fitness goal is run a sub2 hour half! here’s hoping (and training!!)
Good luck with everything, Mar! Love your business website!
Lots of great goals – love how you broke them apart. Exciting you will be training for the full this fall 🙂
Thanks, Jennifer. The marathon training is gonna be a wild ride!!
Wow, you have given a lot of thought to each main area. I’m impressed. As for books, I really loved Tina Fey’s autobiography (Bossypants) and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s autobiography (My Beloved World) . Very different, but both very good!
Thanks for the recommendations, Coco!
Some good goals for sure. Very excited for you guys on buying a home! And, running a marathon? Awesome! Have you decided which race?
Thanks, Michelle! Pretty sure it’ll be the Philly marathon!
These are awesome goals! Get it girl! (And you and Bret are so cute! 😉 )
Thanks Liz! :))
I am SO excited that you’ve decided to run a marathon this year! I will be cheering you on all the way!
Which one? Chicago? :p I know you want to do your hometown run. I totally understand that!
Thanks, Wendy! I’d LOVE to do Chicago, but it’ll probably be Philly so that can be my last big race of the year. Chicago is definitely on the bucket list, I’ve never even been to visit!
Great goals! I am on a reading kick because I started a monthly blog series of recapping the books I read (check them out for some good recommendations!) But… it’s been stressing me out a little to maintain reading 4-6 books each month. Yikes! I am also turning 30 this year and training for my second full marathon. Keep it up girl!
Ooh I will definitely check out your book series. I still need to pick one to start 2016. Good luck with your marathon #2!!
I love your goals! I was specific like this one year and always plan to do it again but never get to it…way to be super SMART with it 🙂
Thanks, Markita! It helps me keep my eyes on the prize.
AH I CAN’T WAIT TO FOLLOW YOU TRAINING FOR A MARATHON. Seriously, your running has been SO strong in the past couple years; I know just you’ll kick butt at 26.2. It’s a great goal to set!
Thanks, Ali!! Fingers crossed that this is my year. It’s scary but exciting!
I love all of your goals, and after following you this year I know you can reach them!!!
Aw, thanks Jessica!
One goal I want to go is now do yoga after I run. I have Mondays set aside for only yoga, but i need some good post-run yoga routines, even if they’re only 15 or 20 minutes. I need to take the time to stretch the same day I run.
That’s a really great goal, Lesley. I probably need to look into that as well. I know I don’t take as much time to stretch after my runs, as my hips really need it!
Get it, girl! You have AMAZING goals! You’ve got this. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks, Rachel!
I love your goals Janelle!! Like you, I’d really like to take the time to read more. I’m always amazed that people can plow through books so quickly. I’d like to try and read one per month and to do that I have to step away from TV watching a bit more.
And how cool that you are an engineer!! Me too!! 🙂
Yay to engineers, we rock!! It’s tough to not watch TV since there are some really great, thought-provoking shows now, but there’s nothing like a good book!
You’re going to be a busy lady! Great goals Janelle. Clearly you have thought this through. I’m sure 2016 will be a success! Boom!
Thanks, Jill! 🙂
Love Love Love your goals!!
Congrats on your run ambassadorships! Zooma is my 1st one and super excited!
26.2- get it girl!! Can’t wait to follow along!
the Blog + Life Planner from Wonderlass…/oing to look that up now. I am having the hardest time managing my time right now 🙁
Yeah home ownership!!
Good luck on all off your goals…- can’t wait to follow along and cheer you on!!
Aw, thanks so much Tamieka! I appreciate the support! I’m really loving the planner so I’d definitely recommend as there’s space to write personal and blogging tasks inside.
These are FANTASTIC goals. I especially love the personal ones like taking more time for yourself and maintaining a strong relationship with Bret. A lot of times, the personal goals get pushed to the wayside in favor of the more “external” goals – but these are just as important, if not more important than the external ones. Congrats on your race ambassadorships and I hope you get selected for more!!! It’s going to be an AMAZING year for you coming up!!!
Thanks a lot, Emily! Yeah, the blog definitely got in the way of some things. Thankfully Bret runs too so we do get to enjoy that together most of the time. Gotta shift those priorities!
Sounds like 2016 is going to be a great year for you. Buying a house is a huge deal! Good luck!
Thanks, Meranda! 🙂
Wow. You are going to have a great year. I forgot to apply for Zooma ambassador but I hope to run the one in Cape Cod.
A marathon? You rock. I’m still to scared to try.,
Will there b an engagement in 2016??
Happy New Year.
Thanks, Darlene! If you run in Cape Cod, hopefully we can meet! Oh I think you’d do great with a marathon, I’ve enjoyed reading about your shorter races! Haha, engagement? I guess I won’t know until it happens, lol!
Wow! You have an amazing set of goals listed and I’m inspired to come up with a few more that I didn’t mention on my blog. Guess I need to actually write them down so I can see them to remind myself of where I’m headed later in the year. I know you’ll accomplish all that you set out to do… and Marathon?! YES!!! You got this!
Thanks so much, Teri! Running a marathon is going to be insane, but I’m looking forward to it. I gotta claim 2016 as a great year! 🙂
Your goals look awesome. I struggle a lot with not letting the blog take over my life. It’s so easy to get sucked into social media or updating or improving pictures or…
Hope you have an awesome year! And have fun with the marathon training.
Ahhh it’s crazy with blogging, isn’t it? I just feel too much pressure sometimes. It’s so necessary to just take a step back and remember the big picture.
Nice list of goals, and congrats on the decision to tackle your first marathon. Are you running Philly? I’ve done that race six times and absolutely love it, so if you have any questions about it let me know. I’d love to help.
Thanks Scott! I am about 90% sure that Philly will be my first marathon! I may have to tap you for some tips when the time comes, thanks!!
Wow – you are one goal oriented lady! I bet project management is a great fit for you! I work with a lot of PM’s who are professional engineers (I do construction procurement), and you remind me of many of them. You’ve got a great year planned and congrats on the decision to buy a house. Have a fantastic 2016!
Thanks so much, Janice! I hope to be a good project manager, so much work lies ahead 🙂
I just got a fitbit too and on nonrunning days I am at like, 2-3k steps lol pretty bad! I also need to work on this in 2016.
Lots of great goals!!!! It will be fun to follow you on your journey to 26.2 miles 😉 Have you chosen a race? Enjoy the experience…you only train for (and run) your FIRST marathon once, so cherish every step (and struggle) along the way to that finish line 😉
Amazing goals and objectives for the new year ! Looking forward to following you and your adventures. House, marathon, work…. you go girl !
Thanks so much, Karen! Same to you!