2022 Goals

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
~ C.S. Lewis

Overarching goals: Seek answers, solutions, or improvement for Life, the Universe, and Everything

Life: This incorporates all things health and fitness including my overall diet, fitness goals, and the management of my chronic health conditions. It’s about keeping physically healthy so that I can keep living this thing called life.

The Universe: This is about the “greater good” and community, including service to others through volunteering my time, giving monetary gifts to charities and causes in need, or sharing my talents and skills to help others.

Everything: This is about balancing the rest of life. The balance between my working and personal loves; between prioritising my needs and giving to the needs of others; between being active and finding time to sit and reflect.

Measurable goals

In addition to my overarching goals, I have a set of measurable goals and objectives that I will work on throughout the year. I believe that these goals will help me to succeed in seeking answers, solutions, or improvement for Life, the Universe, and Everything. (Yes, it’s all connected!)

Health and Fitness

Run 750 miles
Sub-28 5K
Sub-60 10K
Sub-8 mile
Sub-2.30.00 half-marathon
Sub-5.00.00 marathon
4,500,000+ steps
Regular yoga practice (work towards 60 minutes per week)
365 miles of walking

Travel and Adventure

16-hill walk in the Pentland Hills
Walk the full length of the Water of Leith Walkway
Summit Ben Nevis

Professional Life

3+ academic publications
Submit a large grant application
Develop 3-5 long-term goals (update from existing goals)
Re-organise and archive all pre-lectureship academic files
Refresh all top-level pages on PhD website

Personal Improvement and Skill Building

Get a UK driver’s licence
Make a memory quilt from Paul’s old running t-shirts
Read 12+ books for leisure
Enjoy 12+ tech/digital-free days
Develop 3-5 long-term goals (update from existing goals)

Miscellaneous

Find 42 geocaches
Complete family cookbooks in Mum’s memory
Cook at least 1 recipe from family cookbooks each month

Archived goals

2021: Overarching goal: The ABCs: Accountability, Balance, and Calm

2020: Overarching goal: To be a stronger, more confident me

2015-2019: These goals are summarised here

“Big” Goal #1: To be blissfully happy (a life-long goal)
“Big” Goal #2: To earn my master’s degree (success!)
“Big” Goal #3: To publish a book (goal sidetracked by my master’s and PhD degrees, but will happen one day!)
“Big” Goal #4: To rule the world (potentially my most unrealistic goal)