New Year, New Goals

Though the holiday season is behind us for now, the excitement of January lies in the hopes, goals, dreams and aspirations each person sets for themselves for the new year. There is no telling what 2017 will hold, but we can start the new year off right by taking stock of projects we might want to accomplish, attitudes we might want to change, habits we might want to break and traditions we might want to start.

At Palmetto Promise Institute, we of course have set some organizational goals, but we also have individual hopes and dreams for 2017. So without the weight of worry that our resolutions will end up as footnotes long forgotten by March, we want to encourage you also to begin 2017 with some aspirational goals that might provide some direction for the new year.

So what is the staff of Palmetto Promise wishing for in 2017? We’re glad you asked:

 

Our Personal Goals for 2017

Ellen: With a church mission trip coming up this summer, I am determined to brush off my VERY rusty college French. I would also love to take up horseback riding (if I can find the time) and cultivate a habit of actually finishing books that I start.  I’m a compulsive book-buyer who has a slew of unfinished books laying in every room of my house!

Elisabeth: In lieu of a resolution for 2017, I am choosing a word to center the upcoming year around. The word I chose for 2017 is “mindful.” It’s easy to get swept up in the busy-ness of life, so I hope by being more mindful I can be more intentional about how I spend my time and invest in relationships.

Oran: My 2017 goal, which in Good to Great terms would be a “Big Hairy Audacious Goal,” is to simplify and focus. Doing everything on earth in 2017 in the most complicated manner possible is not a winning strategy
(for examples, see 2016).

Jessi: My goal for 2017 might seem selfish, but I’d like to spend a little more time on me. As the mother of two small children, my world happily revolved around them. This year though, I’d like to make an effort to reconnect with the things that fulfill, sustain, and enrich my life outside of being their mom. I want to be the best version of myself for all those around me this year!

John: The beginning of a new year presents an opportunity to learn something new and exciting. I will not, however, learn by seeking the familiarity of subjects I am already comfortable with. This year, my goal is to study and work on projects that I know absolutely nothing about. For example, in 2017 I want to learn how to build circuit boards and program them.

Adam: I’m not giving up my hobbies, but I do hope I can enjoy them in different ways! I will continue to enjoy reading for pleasure for example, but I hope to expand my horizons into genres I often neglect. Drinking less coke zero and more water might also be a worthy goal for 2017!