A couple of days ago, I was chatting with a friend about the new year and they shared with me that they were in the process of creating 19 goals for 2019. So admittedly, this is not an original idea but one that was hijacked from someone else. Nonetheless, I am sharing my 19 goals for 2019 because I have learned over the years that I am at my best when others know the things I am working on and are able to hold me accountable to them. In order to help me with that, I’ve created a new page on my site, 19 for 19, which will be a place for me to update my progress along the way and for you to check in to see how I’m doing. So with that, here are the 19 things that I am going to work toward in 2019.
From 215 to 180
My weight has been something I have always hated. Throughout high school, I was well aware that I wasn’t as thin as the other guys in my class and while I’ve accepted that I won’t be the thinnest person ever (nor do I want to be) I do recognize that I have some extra weight on me that I can afford to lose to be in better shape.Exercise 3 times a week
To help me accomplish goal #1, I am going to strive to exercise 3 times a week at the gym. Got to get my money’s worth out of my gym membership some how, right?Read 12 books
For the past two years, I’ve set a goal to read 6 books a year and have successfully accomplished that. This year, I want to read a new one every month.Start my mornings at 6 a.m. everyday, no matter what
I like my mornings a whole lot, but as I head into 2019, I want to make my mornings more consistent. Whether on a vacation or just a Saturday morning at home, I want to keep a consistent routine in the morning.52 new recipes
It is my goal to cook a new meal every week this year.Travel to 4 different countries
This is a stretch goal for sure, but I want to travel this year because why the heck not? Jamaica and Germany are in the works. Canada would be cool too. Anybody want to pick a 4th and go with me?Floss my teeth
My dentist will surely be happy about this one. I can’t be the only one who doesn’t floss until the week before their dentist appointment in hopes that the dentist won’t yell too much at me, right?Publish a new blog once a month
I go through weird hills and valleys with blogging but it’s one of the things that I absolutely love to do. I want to challenge myself to find something new to blog about every month.Social media fast
I’ve never taken a true break from social media because for so long, many of my jobs have required that I run different social media accounts. I’ve turned off notifications for most of my social media apps on my phone but in July, I plan to take the month off from all social media.Volunteer
Throughout college, I loved volunteering my time with Dance Marathon but haven’t taken the time since to discover a new opportunity to volunteer with.The side hustle
Since moving to Mankato, I’ve worked on three websites for local companies and loved getting to do it in my free time. This year, I want to take this thing further and start working on more website for other local businesses as well as expanding into SEO for these businesses.Get better at golf
Last summer, I received a set of left handed clubs from my grandpa so that I could finally start golfing instead of being the designated golf cart driver. I went out a couple of times and loved it- I’m just not that good… yet.Learn sign language
Ever since going to Jamaica for the first time back in 2013, I have wanted to learn more sign language. I have some basics, but I want to learn to the point where I can hold a conversation with someone.Downsize
When I moved out of my 8th street house and subleased for different people before moving to Minnesota, I packed up my life into two campus. 1- the stuff I needed/wanted with me in the house and 2- the stuff that got packed away in storage for two months. Through this, I realized I have quite a bit of things that I can get rid of because in all actuality, I don’t need to keep that bandana from church camp 10 years ago. Do you get the picture? This winter, I want to downsize my life and get rid of the excess.Grow my hair out
So you may be thinking- why is this a goal? Well, let me tell you. I’ve wanted to grow my hair out for a while but have never committed to doing it because it hits a point where it looks weird and I just give up and get it cut. My last hair cut was on October 8, 2018, so I’m currently almost 3 months into this thing.Save up 6 months of expenses
Growing up, my dad would listen to Dave Ramsey in the car and now that I’ve graduated and am paying off a loan- I’ve been following Dave’s baby steps toward financial freedom too. In 2019, I plan on paying off my loan and want to put away 6 months of expenses before beginning to invest money.Reconnect with my people
After moving away from Iowa a year and a half ago, I realized how easy it is to fail to reach out to your friends back home. And it’s never because you don’t want to, it’s just simply a fact of what life looks like now. Moving into 2019, I want to be more intentional with connecting with some of the people who impacted my life throughout college but I haven’t always done the best of staying connected with.Run a 5k
I’ve done 5ks before and enjoyed them, but I’ve never been in good enough shape to run a 5k from start to finish without stopping.Curling Champion
Last year, I took a learn to curl class and was hooked. This year, me and 3 other guys are competing in a 12 week curling league on Thursday nights and I want to win it all. Somebody has to, why can’t it be our team?