Goal Setting...Or At Least Attempting To

One of my very favorite bloggers, Elsie from A Beautiful Mess, has kicked off a goal-setting challenge for her readers and I have to say I am ready to try anything at this point. Ambition and drive have never been issues for me, but the practical application of setting goals has never been my cup of tea. There is just something about it that feels like...homework, chores, doing taxes...anything and everything you put off because it is just so much boring work. But of course, it's the work that brings the payoff, whether it's success with a business venture or just getting your lazy arse into better shape. I could do with some goal setting, particularly in the realm of getting myself better acclimated to life here in NYC, getting my biz further along and setting myself free from anchors of the past that still linger.

I like Elsie's plan because it's simple - simple goals that are less results oriented and more about the journey, more about increasing the beauty in your life. That being said, it doesn't mean that I won't try to weasel out of being accountable for mine. So I am putting mine out here in plain view - to be accountable to both my readers as well as hopefully be inspired by anyone else who wants to share their goals for the remainder of the year here.

As a side note: I highly recommend checking out Elsie's blog. It's funny, her style and personality are a shade different than mine (a bit of cuteness overload, if you know what I mean) but I actually mean that in the nicest way - I almost wish I could be like that. I find myself adoring her unabashed openness, and I'd be lying if I didn't say her engagement story crushed me with how sweet it was.

So here are my 4 goals for the rest of this year:

1. At least every 2 weeks, reach out to someone who lives in NYC who I haven't touched base with since moving here - or a new acquaintance who I think I would jive with - to do something (grab lunch, coffee, a drink, an art exhibit, gelato, fill-in-the-blank social activity). At least one person.
2. At least once a week, do a group-related activity that relates to health/exercise (running club, yoga, pilates). I've got the exercise goal down pat, but want to start doing it with a group (as opposed to always going it alone. No need to be an exercise loner!)
   
3. Get my next phase/season of product photography done for Lolafalk (and I think I've found the perfect new photographer to do so!)
4. Start cooking more at home - and specifically, working my way through the Spanish cookbook that my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas 2 years ago. Of course, this starts with finding someone to help me light the pilot light for my oven...

So here we are for now - I am fully accountable and have nowhere to hide. Feel free to share your goals here - I'd love to hear what you'd like to accomplish through the rest of this year! Make it fun and attainable - and let the rewards be in achieving the goals themselves. (Chocolate is always a good reward too).