Packing for Adventure

I am a goal-driven individual for sure. I make goals for myself all the time. Most of them are unofficial. Some of them involve some sort of incentive, though most do not (at least not in a tangible way).

I feel like the whole point of life is continual progress. I believe everyone everywhere should continually strive to become better than they were yesterday. But life is full of ups and down, and we need to be forgiving of ourselves and keep moving on.

It is also best to have goals written down. The act of writing it down invites a feeling of self-accountability. There should also be a deadline if possible, and attainable steps to achieve the goal. They should not be unrealistic.

With that preamble, I’ll tell you some of my goals.

PERSONAL GOALS:

• Run/hike/walk 365 miles in 2025
  • I did 300 in 2024 (the last 9 on a treadmill after Christmas)
  • I’m a little bit behind at 196.5
  • Deadline: 12/31/2025
  • Official/Unofficial: This is an OFFICIAL GOAL
  • Incentive: My reward will be a pat on the back to myself from myself
• Visit every USA National Park
  • I’ve seen a lot, with plans to see more!
  • Deadline: before I die? before I can’t walk anymore?
  • Official/Unofficial: This is an UNOFFICIAL GOAL as the goal post keeps moving (new ones keep being added) and some are very remote – I gotta be realistic
  • Incentive: The real prize will be the experiences and friends made along the way

OTHER GOALS:

• Career Goals – these are pretty official and have the most tangible deadlines and incentives (project and annual deadlines and more money to feed the family and fund more travel)
• Family Goals – this is a moving target as my kids continue to grow with the most rewarding non-tangible incentives. Though the most rewarding, I’m sure I’m not alone in saying these goals are by far the most difficult to achieve!
  • To be a loving and supportive wife to my husband
  • To be a patient, kind, and nurturing mother to my children and dogs
  • Teach my children the essential life lessons they will need to be respectful and contributing members of society as adults

• Spiritual Goals – these goals are hard to define, but it boils down to me coming to KNOW my creator.

What are your goals, and how do you plan to achieve them?

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