Mark W-R

20 Realistic New Year Resolutions (with a progress report)

Back on 1 January, I made some promises to myself.  I wanted to update you on my progress.

Make more of my time.  Partially improved, now with a better morning routine.

  1. Spend more time with family.  This has definitely happened with one holiday and regular trips to see my parents.
  2. See more of old friends.  Not completely there yet but I have reached out to more people.
  3. Achieve my MBA.  Enrolled on the final two modules starts this May.
  4. Visit a new country.  No, though I did visit Venice, Italy for the first time in 20 years.
  5. Go hill walking more.  Fail, not a sausage.  Renewed effort this summer.
  6. Book Mountain Leader Training.  As above, need the experience.
  7. Read one book each month.  I have read 9 books since Jan from cover to cover and have another 3 in various states. I am rather pleased with this.
  8. Ironman Distance Triathlon.  Training has stalled massively and this may need to be on next year’s list.  A weakness I know but sometimes it is worth knowing what can be achieved.
  9. “Screw it, just do it”.  Mantra has been with me throughout my career transition.
  10. Eat more healthily.  Achieved through until March when it has gone downhill. Another to start afresh and with renewed vigour.
  11. Give up cookies. Linked to the above, only twice have I broken the seal.
  12. Review finances.  Completed and I have other new tasks to do because of it.  It has meant we are now paying down our mortgage more quickly and making more with less.
  13. Grow chillis.  They are growing fast and need to be repotted.
  14. Start a new university course.  Completed my first module in April 2016 and the next one starts this November.
  15. Garden more.  Easy habit and well prepared for Spring / Summer 2016. We have garlic, cabbage, beans, tomatoes, chillis and much more besides.  All really easy to grow.
  16. Throw out old things.  We have managed one cupboard and I have given up console gaming.
  17. Go camping.  Not achieved yet but looking forward to summer.
  18. Secure a new career.  In progress.  6 months to go.
  19. Cycle 100 miles.  I have planned for one better.  Land’s End to John O’ Groats in the UK for this summer season.

Next up, make 35 challenges before I reach 36 years of age.  I can’t remember this one but it sure makes a good next blog post.

What about you?  What progress have you made on your goals for this year? If you have written some, how about just start writing…

29 comments

  1. Land’s End to John O’Groats. Have you read Free Country by by George Mahood, available on Kindle? Two blokes decide to cycle the same route starting out at Lands End. They had no bikes, no clothes! and no money and made it their mission to rely on the goodwill of other people to give them everything they needed to make the journey. A little far fetched but hilarious, well I thought so. Would make good reading if you’re planning this cycle ride, though would advise being a little more prepared than they were. Hope the weather is kind to you.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Really great suggestion, thank you. I will add it to my post challenge preparation. The goodwill people show at, sometimes, the most inauspicious of moments, is breathtaking.

      Liked by 1 person

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  3. Well lets see , 7, 9, 10, 11, 15. I actually only managed to finish one book but I only started that resolution in Feb. Then I decide to start a blog in March 2016.. Oh man, I didn’t know what I as letting myself in for. It is fun, but seriously confusing, and I know I am not being smart about it – cause my time management is right out the window. Enjoying the blogging experience it is fun. And the community lovely. Wishing you every success

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Thanks, thoughtsnlife, lovely comment. I feel very similar about blogging and will enjoy the ride. Time management is also a challenge for me and view it as something that improves with experience. Some procrastination is needed just to make sense of what is important.

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  4. Congrats on setting goals, I think you can just bring them under the umbrella of complete lifestyle change! I live with health and fitness freak grown-up children and a husband who cycles and hill walks, even drags me out camping some times. I have been an organizer by profession both of the mind and home. Feel free to ask if you need help with diet, exercise or bike advice. Life is pretty much one closet at a time.
    I can help you with # 7 try my books! They’re free if you have Amazon Prime.

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  5. Sounds like you are doing great on your 2016 resolutions. I think you are being hard on yourself regarding #5. How can you fail when it is a year long resolution and it isn’t even mid May yet! You can still be successful with it.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • I agree, at least now I know where I stand. Failure, as you imply, can still be turned into a success. Rightly, it can be a worthwhile way to learn more about yourself.

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      • I just don’t see it as failure when it is only four – five months into the year. Procrastination, yes! 🙂 Best wishes for the rest of the year……

        Liked by 1 person

  6. The reason I started to blog in February was to keep a New Year’s resolution- I am a published author however, during the editing process I realized how tech challenged I am- so blogging is helping me- I write most days anyway- so why not blog? The other was as one of yours, to read more- I have certainly done this one! almost 50 books since January- your goals are achievable and well thought out- great post!

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    • Camellia, thank you for the hopeful words. To have tackled a challenge head-on is really admirable. Plus, 50 books is a great achievement. Each time I finish one, it gives me enormous satisfaction. I agree with you on blogs. The experience has been wonderful so far. Long may it continue. I wish you every success with your writing.

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  8. Fantastic! 👏🏽 It’s always good to set goals in writing, so that you can return to them for evaluation. I set a few goals in 2015, and achieved a couple of them. One of my goals was not to wait around for other people to do things with. I vowed to occasionally just take off on my own and enjoy life. For some reason, I didn’t write new goals for this year. I really need to do that. Thanks for the reminder and for sharing your plans and progress. Welcome to the community. 😊

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    • Some really positive goals there and some that could be a real benefit to others. I agree that sometime, taking time out pays dividends personally and furthermore, into work and friendships.

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  9. Setting goals is the first step to achievement. I am not one to write them down but I do set goals for myself. I love your blog and your theme selection. Well done.

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