If you’ve followed our blog for long, you know that every year, I (Cindy) set goals for myself. I used to do this on social media, but in recent years, the settings have changed, so I’ve switched to a blog format over the past few years. You can find my goals from 2020 going into 2021 here: 2020 Goals, and my goals from 2021, going into 2022 here: 2021 Goals.. 2023 goals are here: 2023 Goals, and 2024 goals are here.
My goals for 2025:
As I’ve mentioned previously, over the past few years, I’ve learned I really need to narrow the goals I choose down, and have fewer of them. Last year, I set 4 goals, but some of them were not really specific enough and had more than one part to them. I only met one of the goals, and came close to meeting a second. You can read that recap here.
So this year, I’m staying with 4 goals, but have tried to narrow them down a little more and make them SMART goals. If you aren’t familiar with SMART goals, they are goals that are:
Goal #1:
By December 31, 2025, I will write/edit in a series of my choice 6/7 days a week, or 86% of the time.
As I mentioned in the recap, I was able to build a strong writing routine this past year, and I want to keep this momentum going, while also working towards getting books finished and hopefully published! So this goal focuses on keeping that routine and building from it.
Goal #2
By December 31, 2025, I will complete at least 6 mini-habits of exercise 5/7 days per week by incorporating those sessions into times throughout the day, or 71% of the time as measured weekly. (30 minutes minimum daily)
I think fitness is challenging for many people. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have gyms filling up around the New Year, only to be emptied out a few weeks after. My goal for this coming year is to build exercise habits right into my routine that don’t take much time, but will allow me to move more throughout the day.
Goal #3:
By December 31, 2025, I will blog at least 3+ times a week, (43%+) and do a podcast weekly, except for Holidays/breaks. MAL- 3 times a week, TFNC- Monthly; TrFNC- Make a plan and stick with it with 75% accuracy.
My third goal is around this blog as well as a couple of other blogs and podcasts. I am hoping to post on this blog at least monthly, My AMuseing Life (my writing blog) at least 3x a week, and on Trails From North Country based on a schedule I’ve been working on. This year, I came within about 50 views from setting an all time number of record views on the My Amuseing Life blog, and hope to continue to share my love of writing and ideas with others throughout the year.
Goal #4:
By December 31, 2025, I will have implemented and carried out themes for each day, revolved around hobbies, 2/7 days, 29% of the time, as measured weekly.
I’ve set very similar goals to this one in the past, and find it is often the most challenging goal. I am hoping by limiting this goal to a couple of days per week, I can begin to build slow success. Setting themes for each day gives me a focus point, but the themes are flexible and may change. The goal is to work on hobby projects, such as crafts and art projects at least 2 days per week.
Q and A:
Why do I set goals?
Setting goals gives me a direction of where to go. A plan.
Do I always stick with the plan 100%?
No. Life happens. I rarely follow my plan 100%.
Why does it seem so easy for you to set and strive to reach goals?
It’s not. It’s taken a lot of years of practice, fine tuning, and continuing even when it was tough. Sometimes meeting a goal is really hard, but I try to remind myself every little bit of progress I can make is more than if I didn’t try to meet the goal at all.
Why do I call my goals projects?
I’ve read a variety of self-help books, and they define projects as anything that takes time and energy. Calling my goals projects helps me to better determine how much time is actually going to be needed for that goal and to realistically plan each goal out.
Why aren’t any of your goals for work, religious, about family, etc?
I do set goals for other areas of my life too, but not everything needs to be shared out publicly. The goals I set that I share out are largely hobby related (writing and other hobbies, and fitness, but even then, I don’t always share 100% of the details.
But not everyone can do this. Why are you talking about your goals when not everyone can achieve goals like this?
I certainly don’t expect everyone to set and reach goals. Everyone is different. I set goals and strive to reach them because it helps me to pursue my dreams. I share with others because I’ve had people ask me how I setup and work on my goals, but it doesn’t mean you to have to do the same. If you are going through a hard time, and all you could do was get out of bed today, then celebrate that. If your dreams don’t involve tracking your goals, then that’s ok too. Sometimes I think we get caught up in comparing ourselves to others. When it comes to goals, I can tell you what works best for me, but that doesn’t mean it will work for you too. Do what works best for you.
Habit Trackers:
Sometimes I track other habits too, like reading or household chores. Want some ideas for tracking? Check out these!
There are a wide variety of ways to track reading goals. You can find free trackers, or low cost ones such as this one here.
There are also some great household chore lists out there! A couple you can purchase on Etsy include:
My post on setting and reaching goals:
https://talesfromnorthcountry.com/2021/12/31/on-setting-goals-and-reaching-them/
Happy New Year!
Until next time,
Cindy
Tales From North Country 
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