20 in 20

Well my failure to complete my 19 in 19 list of objectives hasn't deterred me from trying again this year. I've tweaked the list to try and be more specific, removed some things and added others and came up with the following:

1. Fill out weekly/daily planner
This replaces last year's "be more organised, plan ahead and waste less time" which was a bit vague. This year I'm being more specific. I have a weekly sheet that's pinned up on the fridge that hubby and I sit and do together and I've bought a new daily planner that I hope might keep me more on track. I know that |I do better when I jot down tasks for the day and work through them so I've invested in a hardback planner that looks like this:

I've also bought some new coloured pens so hopefully I will be inspired!

2. Garden projects: Get window boxes for front garden plus big planters. Stepping stones for rear garden.

3. Plan a lunch date/date night with Nick once a month (theatre/cinema/meal/outing)
I still think it's worth trying this.

4. Eat at 6 new-to-me restaurants

5. Complete the A – Z blogging challenge

6. Plan Family weekend for my birthday

7. Take up an exercise class (pilates)

8. Plan a road trip/holiday with hubby.

9. Visit the beach

10. Complete my reading challenge (52 books for the year)

11. Keep a gratitude diary (I tried to keep a journal but wasn't very successful but I have been jotting down something I'm grateful for each day which seems more manageable.)

12. Blog at least once per week (plus regular memes)

13. Take a photo each week and blog about it. (Again more specific than last year's "take more photos")

14. Read 12 books on my TBR pile. (Again a specific target - this equates to one per month and in theory is manageable.)

15. Finish knitting WIP (blanket of squares) (Another specific target that hopefully will produce a result!)

16. Try out a new recipe or do a bake each month (Weekly was definitely over optimistic last year!)

17. Visit/see Noah every month

18. Get damp treatment done in house (Another specific target and the most pressing job that needs doing.)

19. Maintain weight (I think this might be more achievable than trying to lose 20 pounds!)

20. Be kind to myself. Whilst I think it's good to set myself challenges sometimes life gets in the way or I just have days where I really can't be bothered. I need to accept this and not be hard on myself when things don't go to plan.


Definitely a more SMART list than last year which hopefully will see better results. But as I know from past experience, sometimes life or health issues get in the way, which is why I set up #20. It's good to have these aims to keep me focussed and motivated but it's not the end of the world if they don't all get done.

Interestingly, having looked back on my 18 in 18 summary, one of the things I noted in the final round up was that I needed it to be less target driven because this added pressure. Hopefully I've found a balance this year of being specific so that I know what I'm aiming to do but also being realistic as to what I might achieve.