January 6, 2020, I posted my goal list for the year. Then, 2020 happened. Let’s see…
Personal Goals
The Artist’s Way Goal
I started working through The Artist’s Way in November. A friend and I decided to work through it together at the same time so that we not only had someone to whom we would be accountable but also someone with whom we could talk through thoughts and ideas. A goal for this year is to finish working through the book. (This one also counts as a professional goal for me.)
Update 12/31/2020: I finished Chapter 12 and completed the tasks on 12/30. I stalled somewhere during the year – May, June, August? Looking at my notes, I see I completed Chapter 11 in early August. It has been on my monthly to-do list for awhile. The author recommends doing the 12 chapters in 12 weeks. Yeah, that didn’t happen. It’s almost like not wanting to finish a good book though. Once it is over, then what? I guess I could go back through and review. Actually, she suggests reading the book again, so maybe I will do that in 2021. I need to rejuvenate my creative self.
Jazzercise Goal
With Jazzercise, the goal for the year is to attend/participate in 150 classes for the year – to be a goal getter. That is my goal for this year. Last year I attended 111 classes.
Update 12/31/2020: In March, with everything closing, my Jazzercise goal of completing 150 classes was going to be difficult. The owner of our local Jazzercise center informed us that we would have access to Jazzercise on Demand for 60 days when things shut down (and they may have even extended that). Then she was also able to start bringing Jazzercise classes through Facebook Live to members of our local center. My last in-center class was on March 13. At that point I had attended 29 classes. I continued with Facebook Live classes even after places opened up again. By my count on the calendar, I did 133 classes for the year through in-person, on-demand, and Facebook Live. I will take my success and appreciate it. Our local center owner and instructors have been fantastic, and I appreciate all their work and effort to keep us going and connected.
Meditation Goal
I want to develop a consistent, strong meditation practice. I’ve dabbled in it and have done meditation sporadically, but I truly believe that it is key to my well-being and health. I’ve listened to podcasts and know that I have the right tools and space to develop the practice.
Update 12/31/2020: I have had some consistency in the last few months. I am up to at least 3-4 days/week. Developing a new habit takes some practice, doesn’t it? I will get there.
Giving Back Goal
I recently read about an organization called Warm Up America. A goal for this year is to give back in some way. Since I would like to get back to knitting and/or crocheting, I see this as a way to do both. I think initially I will start with crocheting the squares, and then maybe work my way up to scarves, hats, mittens, and blankets.
Update 12/31/2020: The organization had to close during part of the pandemic, but I believe that they re-opened in early June. I have practiced crocheting some patterns and did complete a few squares that gave me a start to my stack. I also completed a lapghan using a simple pattern so that I could use up some leftover yarn. Warm Up America partnered with Saber Healthcare to have people donate crocheted or knitted lapghans to nursing home residents to help lift their spirits. I have yet to put the lapghan in the mail, thinking that maybe there is something like that locally. If not, I will get it in the mail to them soon. In the meantime, I will continue to work on the squares and mail them when I get a good enough supply. (And when I’m ready to venture out and go to the post office.)
Intuitive Eating Goal
I listened to many podcasts last year about intuitive eating and bought a book to read. Having almost finished the book, much of what I read makes sense to me. I also bought the workbook and barely started working through it in October or so but have not picked it up to continue since then. My goal for this year is to finish going through the workbook and adopt the principles of intuitive eating as a means to better health and well-being.
Update 12/31/2020: 
Professional Goals
Complete The Artist’s Way book as mentioned above. Creativity is something I want to continue to develop. (See Update above)
Hone My Craft Goal
Read three or four books on the craft of writing in order to improve my own. Possible titles include Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott and The Forest for the Trees (Revised and Updated) An Editor’s Advice to Writers by Betsy Lerner. Maybe re-read The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White and On Writing Well by William Zinsser – both of these I used while teaching composition.
Update 12/31/2020: Well, time to confess. I did not read/reread/buy any of the books. I located my copy of On Writing Well, but that is about it. In fairness to myself, I did start working in August as an online English/Language Arts grader/teacher for a company providing virtual learning. After reading so much, I just didn’t have much left.
Blog Goal
Continue publishing blog posts on Soul of Quick and Jones. Lofty goal – four times a month. Conservative/realistic goal – two times a month.
Update 12/31/2020: For the first half of the year, with the exception of March and May, I wrote and published two posts. I only posted once in March. I was just in a little bit of shock like the rest of the world when it felt like life came to an abrupt halt and we didn’t know what to do with ourselves. Full speed ahead with life to staying at home away from everyone and every place. What the heck? By the end of March, I just had to stop and recognize what I was thankful for and wrote “March Madness, Am I Right?” because I needed a reminder of the blessings in my life. I wrote about PTSD in June and a Travels With Soul post in September. Not the goal I set, but the new opportunity in August had me readjusting to new demands.
Write the Book Goal
Write at least half of the book I am writing. There are and will be excerpts of the book published as posts on this blog.
Update 12/31/2020: I have the sections of the book established and have written part of the first section. On my way and I will get there. The posts in June about PTSD will be placed in a section of the book, too.
More Job Responsibility Goal
Take on more responsibility with RLJ Global so that I can better assist Rodney and help build the business.
Update 12/31/2020: Early in the year, it took me a couple of months to get all our tax preparation done and paperwork gathered, so that was time consuming. I did a few things with marketing, flyers, and mail-outs as well as keeping our website up-to-date. When the pandemic happened, it limited my husband’s face-to-face meetings and travel, so he has been spending more time in the office overseeing most everything. But that also freed me up to do the work with the online grading.
And so it goes…
So there you have it, 2020 goals. Will I set some for 2021? Of course, I always do. Ordered and picked up the new planner a couple of weeks ago. Will I publish them here? Probably not, mostly because there won’t be much to change or add, except that I want to appreciate life and the people in my life even more than I already do. And focus on the present and take the trips and enjoy the get togethers when we can have them again safely.
Happy New Year!
