This is my last post of 2025! As I reflect on this past year, I am thinking about what I enjoyed the most. Time and again the things I enjoy and make a lasting impact on me are times with family, little trips with friends, working with my clients and working on the challenges I set forth in January, the ones I work on all year.
For the past many years I had been plateaued in a few areas of my life. I decided to stretch myself in my number of books read and in my miles walked. I use two great tracking tools- Goodreads and Nike Run Club apps. I always remember a great Darren Hardy quote- “You can’t improve what you don’t measure.” That’s why a component of SMART goals is that it must be measurable. Otherwise, how do you know you are making progress.
I have learned to love progress. It is no longer all or nothing. Setting stretch goals has helped me to see that I am more capable than I thought I was. Setting a stretch goal, for me, has always helped me to go beyond what I thought I could do, even if I don’t reach the big goal. Telling someone about your goals is essential. On the Goodreads app you set a public goal- so everyone you are connected to sees what you are up to and how much progress you are making. For my miles walked I told at least three people who ask me about my progress along the way, all year long. Posting a goal on social media has also been a good strategy for me in the past. Accountability. Not only do you have someone to keep you on track, but also to be encouraged by and to celebrate with- both along the way and at the end of the challenge.
Another goal I had this year was to cut down on the amount of time I spend on my phone. Have a stretch reading goal has helped with that goal, too. Being more intentional about using my time available for reading, kept me off from my phone. It’s great when goals compliment each other!
What stretch goal would you like to set for yourself for 2026? Where have you been doing well, but maybe coasting for a while? Stretching doesn’t have to be a big leap, though it could be and might be more fun. Make it a real challenge. I challenge you! Make a list of all of the possibilities and choose one.
In these last few days of 2025, what would you like to do, experience, feel, complete, start? What is most important right now? That is a question I am going to be asking myself and you a whole bunch in the next year. There is no point in spending time on things that are not of the highest importance in your life. Be intentional, be on purpose. Happy New Year ahead and see you next year!