After the unexpected shut down of 2020, I am hesitant to set my mind on anything specific for the year 2021. Regardless of what “is allowed,” I need goals; I need plans to look forward to or I struggle. 2020 was a hard year for me like it was for many other people. The let down of canceled events caused me to shut down and not engage, which (I hate admitting it) led me to a sad space. I’m lucky that I at least go to work, but I lost motivation in my personal life. With that, I stopped running. I didn’t have anything to work towards.
Luckily, in November, I received an email regarding my deferred entry to the Chicago Marathon and entered my request for 2021. Within a few hours, I received the email confirmation, and I was registered for the 2021 Chicago Marathon! Finally, the motivation I was looking for; I was rejuvenated!
Each year I pick a theme and a “checklist” of items to complete for the year. As I started thinking about 2021, I knew I needed a different list. Several podcasts I listen to talk about goal setting: Dave Ramsey, BiggerPockets, ChooseFI. Lead and lag measures is a concept frequently discussed on the BP podcast, and I love the thought process. Typically my checklist is just a list of lag measures, but I don’t take the time to plan the tasks to “lead” me to achieve those.
Fulfilled Intension
Fulfilled Intension is my theme for 2021. For me to accomplish my goals (the lag measures), I need to have the right behaviors so that each day I am moving in the right direction. I need to be intentional in my daily acts and habits. Instead of checking off my accomplishments, my goal is to fulfill the behaviors I intentionally set out to do.
Goals and Behaviors
It’s hard to list out goals publicly, but I find a lot of motivation in listening or reading others’ goals. Who knows, maybe someone will read this when looking for motivation.
Lead Measures
- Meal Plan Weekly
- Avoid eating macaroni and cheese (focus on healthy dinners)
- Focus on my running plan and complete runs as scheduled
- Strength train twice/week
- Practice yoga on Sundays
- Incorporate self-care (Epsom salt baths, foam rolling) into my routine
- Signup for short races
- Budget monthly and save money
- Continue learning about real estate; regularly attend a meetup
- Get my notary license
- Write blog articles for one hour each week
To Achieve (Lag Measures)
- Lose 35 pounds
- PR the Chicago Marathon (read about my new training plan)
- Visit Australia (continent 5!)
- Actively post on The Rosy Wanderer
- Achieve my next financial milestone
Second Chances…
I want to make it count. I feel like we are getting a second chance at 2020 in 2021. So much of 2020 was missed opportunity. I could have maintained a running schedule, I could have participated in virtual races, but I didn’t. Since I’m frustrated about the missed opportunity, I have even more reason to get it right the second time. My lag measures this year is a scaled-back list of 2020, but the difference is I have the lead measures to get me to achieve them and am rethinking the type of person I want to be.
