Setting Goals For 2020: 20 Must-Dos Throughout The Year

There’s something about a new year that makes us all feel ambitious, optimistic and hopeful.
And then, usually somewhere around the middle to end of January, we feel all ambition-ed out.
The high of the holiday season is over, and for many of us, we may even feel disappointed in
ourselves for not following through with our new year goals.

But that doesn’t have to be the case! When setting goals for 2020, take a new approach!
Instead of tackling them all at once (or planning to, at least), break them up over the course of
the year, and find yourself meeting goals each season!

Winning In Winter

The days may be short and blustery, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of them
with several goals to get the new year started! This is the time of year that most are coming off
of holiday indulgences and are ready to reel back in for health and happiness. For those efforts,
consider these five goals:

1. Eat better. We’re not talking radical change (unless you want to!)—but just making a
   resolution to eat a bit differently each day can change so much. Have one less cup of
   coffee; make one more meal at home instead of eating out. Simple steps are attainable!
2. Sleep more. The days are short, and it gets so dark so early anyway. Give yourself the
   gift of sleep; it makes a difference for mood, health and performance!
3. Be grateful. Start that gratitude journal! It’s the right time of year, and just taking a few
   minutes each day can give you a positive mindset reset.
4. Go to the doctor. Many people don’t want to go to the doctor right after the holidays
   because they feel like they indulged too much, but honestly? Seeing where you are at
   the beginning of each year gives you good milestones for health and sets you up for
   success in your wellness goals. Physicals are important, so take care of yourself!
5. Read more. You know you want to, and there are tons of good books waiting. Reading
   for relaxation calms you in a way that other relaxation techniques can’t, and also keeps
   your brain sharp as you take new information in!

Spring Into The Season

The sun is coming out more and more and you can tell that the bluebird is on its way! Take this
season to regenerate, grow and bloom yourself! Consider starting by:

1. 1. Garden. There really is a lot to be said for getting your hands in the dirt and watching
      something from seed to beautiful bloom. It’s like gardening your soul too!
   2. Organize. It’s a new season, and it’s a perfect time to clean out things you are not
      wearing, using or want. Less really is more, and you can feel good about minimalizing so
      you can focus on more of what you love.
   3. Review. Take a look at what has happened in the first three months of this new year
      and decide if you like the trajectory. If you do, keep going. If not, change the course!
      Spring is a great time to revise plans for the year and then take steps to make them
      happen!
   4. Challenge yourself. You may be in a completely different season of life altogether—an
      empty nester, a new-to-you-again career, or even back in the dating world. Challenge
      yourself to do something different this spring. Join a local hobby group for something
      that interests you. Take continuing education to amp up that career or even check out
      online platforms for meeting new people. You can do it, and there’s no time like the
      present!
   5. Refresh. April showers bring lots of opportunities to rest and snuggle in for some
      downtime. Every season you give yourself rest and recuperation is a season you invest
      in you, and this helps you meet daily goals all year through.

Summer Sun And All That Fun

Traditionally a season for fun and adventure, let this quarter of the year be that for you. Take
the time to enjoy this earth and the relationships you have on it! Consider:

1. Take a girls’ trip. There is nothing like hanging out with those lifelong friends who
   refresh your soul. Make the summer of 2020 be one that is a balm to your heart and one
   in which you spend quality time with people who get you. Make it somewhere fun for all
   and cherish the memories.
2. Get outdoors. The days are long and the nights last forever in summer, so take
   advantage of them. Sit down at the beginning of each month this summer and plan
   something each weekend you can look forward to.
3. Visit family. Remember the days that summer vacation meant long car trips to visit
   family? Odds are so many of those family members are aging and not as easy to stay in
   touch with anymore. Make it happen. Take the time to visit your family. You’ll never
   regret the intended family connection.
4. Work on your holiday shopping. No, we are not kidding! Thanks to Amazon Prime Days,
   retailers have taken to offering sales in the summer that rival Black Friday and Cyber
   Monday deals. How awesome would it be to spend the holiday season 2020 enjoying it
   and not being worried about holiday shopping?
5. Get the Vitamin D. Most Americans are quite deficient in Vitamin D, which is pivotal to
   healthy moods and immunity. Get out and soak up the Vitamin D (but be sure to use
   sunscreen as well!) and be sure you’re eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies this season
   brings.

Fall Into Fantastic

We’re not sure how, but every year, this season comes faster and faster! Don’t let the hustle
and bustle of the impending holidays slow you down or steal your joy. Instead, why not:

1. Try a meal delivery service. There are so many meal delivery companies that offer
   fresh, clean foods delivered right to your door. Some let you cook the foods yourself;
   others have it practically done for you. Consider trying one this season so that dinners
   are one less thing on your plate.
2. Give back. For many, this is a tough time of year because it’s a holiday season without
   loved ones. The best way to cure that loneliness is to give back and serve others. Find a
   place where your talents can be appreciated and watch how your gratitude grows.
3. Organize. Yes, again. The fun of summer often leaves us with bags still unpacked and a
   chore list to get to when ‘life settles down.’ The thing is, it won’t settle down unless you
   help it, so take some purposed time to organize—clothes, things you don’t need/want,
   holiday decorations, etc. You’ll feel less rushed this season if you know where
   everything you need is.
4. Carve time out for yourself. Believe it or not, it’s okay to say, “No, I’m sorry, I can’t.”
   This time of year is full of amazing things but be careful with your time so you don’t
   overextend yourself and then lose joy in doing things out of obligation.
5. Soak it up. As the year wraps up, soak up all this magical time of year has. Spoil your
   children or grandchildren, your friends and neighbors and delight in all the gifts of the
   year. It goes by so quickly!

Biting off hard-to-achieve goals just because it’s a new year and a new opportunity doesn’t
always make sense, so instead, give yourself some grace and spread those goals out throughout
the year! You’ll constantly be on a path of positive growth if you do!

about

Karen Rae

I was becoming an empty nester, a woman of a more interesting age and in transition. Sound familiar? I was at that place where we question our purpose, value, and worth and what in the world are we going to do with the rest of our lives.

I noticed women have a huge hunger to belong to a community of women where they can feel safe, share openly from their heart and have other women to do life with! This is why I created my Fave Lifestyles.

Fave is for the woman who wants to call Fave her community of women who support, uplift, and make her feel better about herself. I want to create a place where we help her answer life's questions and just do life together!

Let's Do Life Together at Fave Lifestyles

You’re about to ring a new year in, and as we do, we tend to stop and wonder not only where
the previous year went, but how it went as well. As 2020 is on the horizon and 2019 draws to a
close, it is a great time to think about the events of 2019 and the goals for 2020.

Personal Relationships

Personal relationships are the most important things we humans have. There is no time like the
end of a year to look at them and decide whether or not we put enough time and energy into
the really significant ones. List the people closest to you; create separate lists for family and
friends. Jot down some of the highlights of each person’s relationships with you, and then list
what you would like to see different in the coming year based on this year’s interactions. This
list will also become a tangible way for you to evaluate the strength of your relationships each
year, as you’ll be able to compare actions with intentions at each reading.

Personal Finances

Take a look at your money. Look at whether or not you have savings for an emergent situation
(or several, as that tends to happen) and whether you are working for your money or your
money is working for you. Many of us are still helping our children pay off student debt (or
putting them through college and beyond) while others are ready to live life large in retirement.
Whatever stage you’re in, think about whether or not your income and savings not only allow
you the life you want to live right now, but in the future, as aging care may become an issue for
your parents or even yourselves.

There are many of financial planners who specialize in helping achieve financial goals in this
stage of life, and as we don’t have quite the same advantage of time as we did in our 20s. Take
the time to talk with one and make sure you’re prepared for the upcoming years.

Are You Working To Live Or Living To Work?

Another aspect of your year you may want to evaluate is your career. You may have built a
prosperous and thriving career over the last couple of decades or you may just be getting back
into the workforce now that the nest is empty and there is time for you. Either way, you’ll want
to look at why you’re working, and if what you’re doing is fulfilling. More, you’ll want to really
pay attention to the successes you’ve had (or plan to have) and make sure they’re documented
for comparison and reflection. Particularly useful for when you have reviews, knowing what
you’ve done in your career and listing the goals you have will give you a sense of
accomplishment and direction in your work.

If you’ve been working because it’s something to do, but not something you want to do, now is
the time to think about what you want to do with your life. It’s never too late to become what
you always wanted to be, and it’s a great time to honestly look at who that is, and how to get
there. Yes, it’s scary, but you’ve got life experiences that have shown you that you can do hard
things, so take the plunge!

Taking an honest look at your year not only helps you reflect on your successes and personal
achievements, but it also lets you have some perspective for formulating goals you have for the
upcoming year. Getting to where you always wanted to be starts with knowing where you
came, so take a look, be proud and grow from here!

about

Karen Rae

I was becoming an empty nester, a woman of a more interesting age and in transition. Sound familiar? I was at that place where we question our purpose, value, and worth and what in the world are we going to do with the rest of our lives.

I noticed women have a huge hunger to belong to a community of women where they can feel safe, share openly from their heart and have other women to do life with! This is why I created my Fave Lifestyles.

Fave is for the woman who wants to call Fave her community of women who support, uplift, and make her feel better about herself. I want to create a place where we help her answer life's questions and just do life together!

Let's Do Life Together at Fave Lifestyles