2023 Goals

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

Overarching goal: Simply Me

This is a way to remind myself to prioritise my own needs and my own life first. I will focus on my physical, mental, and emotional health on a more intentional basis. And I will work to simplify my life and my focus a bit. Ultimately, “simply me” is about finding a good balance between my personal needs and wants and the needs and wants of external forces.

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 simplifying my life. (Yes, it’s all connected!)

Health and Fitness

Run 750+ miles
Sub-28 5K
Sub-60 10K
Sub-2.20.00 half-marathon
Sub-5.00.00 marathon
4,500,000+ steps
Regular fitness (work towards 90 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
Holiday to the East Coast of America
3x solo weekend trips within the UK

Professional Life

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

Personal Improvement and Skill Building

Apply for a UK driver’s permit (the first step to getting a license)
Start a memory quilt from Paul’s old running t-shirts
Complete Mum’s “12 Days of Christmas” ornament project
Earn 12+ “Rebel Badges”
Enjoy 12+ tech/digital-free days

Miscellaneous

Find 48+ geocaches
Complete family cookbooks in Mum’s memory
Cook at least 1 recipe from family cookbooks each month

Archived goals

2022: Overarching goal: Seek answers, solutions, or improvement for Life, the Universe, and Everything

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)