My Personal Goals for 2014

Yesterday, I wrote about my goals for parenting in 2014.  This post is about my personal goals outside of parenting for 2014.  Let me know what you think!

• Read 1 book per month – I am not a reader by nature.  I watch people who are able to read book after book with amazement much in the same way I watch people in the circus.  I think of them as somewhat freakish while secretly wanting to be more like them.  Weird…I know.

All I’m saying is that it takes a lot for me to read an entire book, much less confine myself to a timeframe like one month.  But, this year, I want to read 12 books.  So, that’s one a month for me.  Feel free to comment on this post and let me know what I should be reading – non-fiction only, please.

• Exercise at least 3 times per week increasing to 5 times per week by June – I’m trying to be reasonable here.  I remember freshman year of high school in gym class when we had to do all of the different exercises in order to pass the class and it was time for the 1 mile run.  I started out quick and was leading the pack of my fellow students for a little while.  Then something happened…I’m still not sure what happened…but the next thing I remember was that I was throwing up out on the track. It wasn’t pretty.

It’s pretty much the same for me now with exercise.  I start out doing well, then something happens.  So, with this goal, I’m hoping to pace myself and make it to the finish line. I hope to lose weight and increase my energy with this goal!  What types of exercise programs have worked for you?  Any advice?

• Remain caffeine free – This one may sound odd to you, but after about 4 years of not drinking caffeine, I went back to it in 2013.  To be honest, the short-term benefit of an energy boost was worth it in the beginning.  But, then I started feeling bad physically and ultimately in the last few weeks have chosen to go caffeine-free again – and I feel great!

I am not anti-caffeine and, contrary to popular belief, I do not equate caffeine drinkers with the worst people on earth.  I just have a hard time doing anything in moderation.  Once I drink one caramel latte, I want and have another…then another…then I move on to Mt. Dew…and so on.  Additionally, I’ve been having some blood pressure issues lately and I’m hoping that this will help that too!  Have you ever thought about going caffeine free? Are you willing to try it with me this year?

• Cut back to only 3 sodas per week – In light of the last goal, this goal may seem like I’m just trying to fill space.  Which I am…but not with this goal.  I drink soda like it’s my job.  If I could get paid to drink soda, I would…and then I would ask for a raise.  And remember, there are plenty of caffeine-free sodas out there.

By my math, I have on average 14 sodas a week.  That’s 2 per day.  And, I’m sure there are weeks where I have an extra or five.  So, I’m trying to cut back to only 5 per week.  That’s over half of what I drink currently!  But, it’s necessary if I want to lose weight and be healthier this year.  Notice, I didn’t say anything about giving up decaf coffee.  That would just be plain torture.  How many sodas do you drink a week?  Could you cut back?  Will you join me in this goal?

• Spend more quality time with my wife and do devotions nightly with her – I wrote yesterday about date nights with my wife.  Of course, with 3 children under the age of 6, this is often times tricky.  However, she deserves my time.  She needs time where it’s just the 2 of us and we’re talking about life and our future.

I also need to lead my family better spiritually.  One way I’m going to do this is through nightly devotionals with my wife.  We used to do this a few years ago and it was amazing!  We would talk about things at the soul level and not just discuss things that are at the surface.  It led to more intimacy and a better marriage all around.  I cannot wait to see the impact it will have in 2014.  What are some things you and your spouse do to connect?  Keep it clean please!

• Write and publish my first book – I’m not sure what the topic will be or how I will find the time to write and publish the book, but this is probably the goal that scares me the most.  It’s exciting to think and dream about, but it makes me feel like the first time I flew in an airplane.  It was uncharted territory for me and I didn’t know whether to throw up, freak out, or curl up in fetal position until someone came to rescue me.

Don’t get me wrong, I will write a book.  I have been thinking about it for a few years now and I feel like 2014 is the ‘right’ year for my first book.  I feel like God has given me some things to say and I need to say them…so stay tuned on this one…  What would you like to see me write about?  What topics are interesting to you?

What are your goals for 2014?  I know you have some, so post them below…